my 97 854 is making a loud grinding noise from the wheels whenever i brake and sometimes when i am just driving slow. my immediate thought was that the rotors are bad on it. would i be wrong to assume this or could it just be the brakes? the grinding is really loud so if its the brakes im sure the rotors are worn down by now.
--
Andrew 1997 855R | 1997 854 Turbo

Hi Andy,

I agree with others here, your rotors are most likely gone...fortunately replacing rotors and brakes on the 850 is not too big a job, and if you have a good independent mechanic it won't cost you a fortune if you don't want to attempt this yourself. If you have to replace a brake caliper then things get expensive. I had a stuck caliper on a reer wheel a few years ago.

my girlfriend has been drivning on them like this for over a week now coming from out of state. the griding is significantly loud. are u sure the rotors aren't bad too?
--
Andrew 1997 855R | 1997 854 Turbo

Sounds like your brake pads are gone or just about gone. Replace the pads, and depending on if the whole pad is gone or not you may need to have the rotors resurfaced or replaced to you don't ruin your new pads.

I don't know about you but you might have trouble finding a place to resurface them, on mine they were to thin, no mechanic around here could resurface them... Have a good one!