Gen6 (2007) Vibration while braking

I recently purchased this bike and I'm generally very happy with it however there is an odd vibration that occurs when braking at low speeds (< 20mph) using the foot pedal. The pads have some wear left and I don't feel anything odd with the rotors.

The vibration doesn't appear to be coming from steering but somewhere from one of the wheels. Any one have something similar or idea on what could be causing this?

 

I'd check tire balance, air pressure and thread wear. 07 bike, how fresh are the tires? If it's been sitting too long tires create a flat spot, and you might be feeling that while braking. If you take the wheels off to check for balance, check the rotors as well, they may seem fine to the naked eye, but in fact they may not be.
For instance, I used to use dunflop tires, they wear out cupped and scalloped for me, towards the end of the thread life I'd feel similar vibration due too the uneven wear.

 

Without better knowledge, I would rule out brakepads/rotor first.

 

First post too. Welcome sir

 

Do a runout check on your rotors. More than likely you have a warped rotor, it doesn't take much.

 

I was getting a weird shake from my 7th gen under hard braking, I mostly use the front. It ended up being dirty ABS sensors, good thing my body hygiene is better then my bikes.
Not sure if yours has ABS but if it does you might want to start win a good bath.

 

Thanks for the replies. It had new tires when I purchased it 5 months ago, I should have mentioned that. My thinking it to start replacing the cheap stuff first. Rear pads maybe have 10% life left. So I've already ordered those. Front pads are maybe 30% left so not too much harm replacing those but I'll start with rears first. I'll check for rotation weights when I get home. Maybe the dealer just threw on new tires and didn't balance. Then next I'll have the rotors measured. The bike has 14k miles.

 

:welcome: to the nuts house :wave: Stony
+1 As mention above....Check rotors and pads, check the wheel bearing while you at it and shake the wheel for play.

 

That's for sure cause your bike is filthy! otstir:

Actually mine isn't much better at the moment after trailering it in the rain for 12 hours on Monday.

 

LOL Jethro,
I always figured I'd rather be riding then washing.
But I promise to clean her up nice when I take her to the prom.

 

I bet when you change pads it goes away.

 

Well I've changed the pads and been driving for about 5 days. So far the vibration seems to be gone. I just changed the rear pads because they were the worst. So thanks for the pointers.

BTW, these were the easiest brake pads I've ever had to replace on any of my previous bikes (or car). It takes longer to get to the fuse box than it does to replace pads.

 

Do I win something? Lol. Good job.

 

A swift kick in the nuts?

To the OP - glad you got it sorted.

 

Your going to have to be faster than a viper!