Rigid vs Floating Disc

Cory128
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Cory128
I noticed the new Factory Edition KTM's are going to come stock with a Floating Front Disc vs their Standard rigid mounted one that they have been using for years. Does anyone know if there is a different feel or performance gain from one to another?
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FiendzCC
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FiendzCC 1/9/2019 10:45am
1/9/2019 10:45am
Floating rotors tend to have more of a progressive feel than a solid mount. Floating rotors are also typically more expensive, and wear out quicker.
Harry Backmon 1/9/2019 10:49am
1/9/2019 10:49am
Yamaha has had floating front discs for years. I'm surprised to hear KTM has not had them. Good grief. KTM brakes are superior as it is. They really have changed the industry for the better.
FiendzCC
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FiendzCC 1/9/2019 10:56am
1/9/2019 10:56am
Harry Backmon wrote:
Yamaha has had floating front discs for years. I'm surprised to hear KTM has not had them. Good grief. KTM brakes are superior as it is...
Yamaha has had floating front discs for years. I'm surprised to hear KTM has not had them. Good grief. KTM brakes are superior as it is. They really have changed the industry for the better.
You could actually credit Brembo for that. KTM doesn't make Brembo calipers or the Galfer rotors that come on those bikes...
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Harry Backmon 1/9/2019 10:58am
1/9/2019 10:58am Edited Date/Time 1/9/2019 10:58am
Harry Backmon wrote:
Yamaha has had floating front discs for years. I'm surprised to hear KTM has not had them. Good grief. KTM brakes are superior as it is...
Yamaha has had floating front discs for years. I'm surprised to hear KTM has not had them. Good grief. KTM brakes are superior as it is. They really have changed the industry for the better.
FiendzCC wrote:
You could actually credit Brembo for that. KTM doesn't make Brembo calipers or the Galfer rotors that come on those bikes...
Fair, but at least KTM has the sense to use them. I honestly don't know how good KTM brakes are. I've never ridden a KTM, but word gets around and I have to think all the guys raving about them are telling the truth.
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Cory128
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Cory128 1/9/2019 10:59am
1/9/2019 10:59am
Nice. The first thing I noticed when I got my Ktm is how powerful the brakes were. I was shocked how much better they are then any of Jap bikes. I also noticed they are not progressive however. ALL or nothing type if you grab it hard. Sounds like a floating disc might be a good thing.
SmokinJoe439
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SmokinJoe439 1/9/2019 11:16am
1/9/2019 11:16am
Honda has been using non floating rotors for years its not a new concept. The floating rotors tend to move a little when the brake is applied. The idea behind the floating rotors is if the rotor warps or bends slightly it's supposed to keep it from locking up.

Ever noticed when your holding a bike with a floating rotor and holding the brake. Move it back n forth the headtube feels slightly loose? That's the rotor moving.
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slowgti
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slowgti 1/9/2019 11:25am
1/9/2019 11:25am
Think thermal expansion.
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MZ193
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MZ193 1/9/2019 11:27am
1/9/2019 11:27am
I had a floating front disc on my '12 YZ 125 and it was awesome. Loved it. After a crash i had to change it and had no much money to spend, so i went for a rigid one, you can feel a lot of difference, floating has also more breaking power.
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inthebadboycorner 1/9/2019 2:16pm
1/9/2019 2:16pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2019 2:17pm
Back in 97 I put a same size floating " Braking" disk and pads on my KTM 250sx, to be honest, as a C rider, I felt no difference.
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DB97
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DB97 1/9/2019 4:11pm
1/9/2019 4:11pm
Motostuff's 280mm rotor is ridgid. They say that the caliper is already floating and it's an over kill since mx brakes don't get as hot as road bikes. Supposedly better feel, it's on my 125 and it stops really good.
JM485
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JM485 1/9/2019 4:17pm
1/9/2019 4:17pm
I hate floating rotors with a passion. The initial feel right when the brakes bite is inconsistent and screws with me, solid rotors only for me.
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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 1/9/2019 4:51pm
1/9/2019 4:51pm
I'm sold on the solid rotor theories. Lighter, cheaper, and don't wear out with age.
loftyair
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loftyair 1/9/2019 4:55pm
1/9/2019 4:55pm
Some are now 'half-floating'. Supposed to be better when things heat up. Dirt bikes dont heat rotors enough for a difference. All other things are bs, and determined by fluid, pads, size, manufacturer and cleanliness.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 1/9/2019 7:04pm
1/9/2019 7:04pm
To me the floating rotor is more about the progressive feel. It takes some, "bite" out of the initial touch with the KTM braking power that could cause you to slightly lock up your front wheel when entering a corner.

The oversized part 270 or 280 is what helps with heat. I run the Galffer lightweight 270 floating rotor.
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cody41
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cody41 1/10/2019 5:11am
1/10/2019 5:11am
Harry Backmon wrote:
Fair, but at least KTM has the sense to use them. I honestly don't know how good KTM brakes are. I've never ridden a KTM, but...
Fair, but at least KTM has the sense to use them. I honestly don't know how good KTM brakes are. I've never ridden a KTM, but word gets around and I have to think all the guys raving about them are telling the truth.
Ktm brakes are strong, but they also tend to squeak, and the oem brake pads are the only pads that squeak the least. The oem pads are also really expensive. Pick your poison.
Spooner
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Spooner 1/10/2019 5:56am
1/10/2019 5:56am
cody41 wrote:
Ktm brakes are strong, but they also tend to squeak, and the oem brake pads are the only pads that squeak the least. The oem pads...
Ktm brakes are strong, but they also tend to squeak, and the oem brake pads are the only pads that squeak the least. The oem pads are also really expensive. Pick your poison.
I run SBS pads and get zero squeal with them and the performance is awesome.
Lynch
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Lynch 1/10/2019 6:03am
1/10/2019 6:03am
I love the progressive feel a floating rotor gives, I actually prefer the Yamahas front brake over KTM/Husky. Rear brake hands down KTM/Husky are better.
Derek Harris 1/10/2019 10:28am
1/10/2019 10:28am
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
To me the floating rotor is more about the progressive feel. It takes some, "bite" out of the initial touch with the KTM braking power that...
To me the floating rotor is more about the progressive feel. It takes some, "bite" out of the initial touch with the KTM braking power that could cause you to slightly lock up your front wheel when entering a corner.

The oversized part 270 or 280 is what helps with heat. I run the Galffer lightweight 270 floating rotor.
I agree with what you say it does to feel - but not sure I agree I like it!

The issue I have run into on non floating - is if the rotor bends even a tiny bit - the brakes are nearly un usable.
It opens the pads while not under braking - and requires the lever be "pumped" up to get back to braking power - then under that braking situation with the bend it screws up the force applied unevenly.

While a bent rotor isn't good at all for either system - during a moto a smalll bend in a floating rotor can be ridden to finish easier. the floating element also makes a bend less likely with the added give.

If I were purely on feel - for me - non floating (working correctly).
But on average every day riding - floating generally better IMHO.
r18b
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r18b 1/10/2019 11:24am
1/10/2019 11:24am
slowgti wrote:
Think thermal expansion.
True.

For using in road racing where the guys come 300km/h ,
on a corner after corner after corner so the build up heat can go away.

Useless in mx, only will get dirt between the rings. the disk won't get hot enuff to expand.
Just a waste of money. Well that was a racer who told me that.

280mm disk, Steel-braided lines with fresh brake fluid and some good sintered pads for stopping power.

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