I just purchased a KLX 250s 07 with 1400 mi. I had new 09 oem tires installed and went for a spin. The rear brakes are very weak and you have to push down extremely hard to get them to even slow you down. I am not a mechanic but it seems like there is a good amount of brake pad left from just eyeballing it. I guess I could try and bleed the brakes but it would seem like with 1400 mi. that this would have worked it self out by now. How responsive should the rear brakes be on pavement. I have not tried it on dirt yet. Should the tire lock up if you press down really hard on the street. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

Thanks

 

Although no test of braking performance, yes you should be able to lock the rear. But you should be using the front on the street anyway.

 

Did this problem occur AFTER you had the new tires installed? And. . . is the brake pedal squishy (best determined by pushing on it with your HAND)? Squishiness is generally caused by air in the system. . . .

 

Tilt the bike onto the kickstand & spin the rear tire...if the tire won't spin freely remove the rear wheel and swap the spacers because it was assembled improperly.

 

Scrub the pads up with a Scotchbrite pad. They could just be glazed.

 

I'll try these ideas and then go with new pads if nothing else works. Should I buy OEM pads or aftermarket? OEM part number is 43082. I wonder if this comes with 2 pads or is this a set.

Thanks

 

If you replace pads dont get OEM... go with EBC, the same pads as a klx300 HUGE difference in performance....

One thing that alot of people overlook, have you lubed your chain with the 90W gear oil? if so... or even with other lubes, that fling off, thats why i stopped using the 90w oil it would fling off and go all over the rear wheel and the rear disc, and then i was like ****... then the rear brake wouldnt work so good, spray brake cleaner on the disc and rotate the tire into the brake pads so the brake cleaner goes into the pads then it will be good to go, and becareful while spraying on chain lube you could be looking at the sprocket and not noticing the lube overspraying on to the disc on the other side. Just my .02 cents...

 

Even when rear brakes are working perfectly, they don't have near the stopping power of the front. You should "balance" between both when stopping. Watch using just the front on gravel or other poor traction surfaces. If you are heavy and sitting fully over the rear wheel, it will be hard as heck to lock it up. You may still have a problem but it's hard to say without riding it myself. My '07 will easily lock up for me on blacktop unless I'm sitting way back on the seat. If it's all kind of new to you then practice stopping as much as possible. The '07's in stock form stop pretty well but the upgraded pads could save your butt some day. Good Luck and be safe!