Galfer Wave Rotors

Rotors are one of the least thought about components when riders begin to think about upgrading or modifying their machines. Well, let's face is, there not exactly exciting are they? Metal Frisbee's that your pads rub against when you pull on a lever. I had naively thought that all rotors were built equal. I was wrong!

Lisa and I both upgraded our BMW OEM rotors/disc's to Galfer's Wave Rotors way back in 2007, when we first reached the USA. We'd spent 2-years riding and exploring South and Central America and between the mud, the clay and high mineral base terrain we'd ridden over, through and across our pads and rotors were beyond thrashed.

Mark Stickelmaier (Black Swan Moto) introduced Lisa and I to the Braking specialist  Galfer and after a tour of their offices and distribution center in California we were impressed. Too be honest what I knew back them about braking systems, you could write on a postage stamp, but Galfer had boasted some pretty big claims. Increased braking power married to an increase in braking sensitivity and longer ‘part’ life. I'd been struck by the design of their wave rotors and had asked if it there science behind the design. I listened with interest as a tech explained the improved cooling attributes and self cleaning properties of the wave design.

The wave rotors are the way to go if you’re serious about riding your bike”. Simon Thomas, 2Ride The World

With our nightmare in the Amazon still fresh in my mind, as the smell of heavy red clay from weeks of slogging through the Jungle still in my nostrils, the Galfer tech had my full attention when he described the wave rotors ability to throw of mud and improved self cleaning properties, compared to regular rotors. Back then it all sounded a bit to good to be true.

General Spec

The wave rotors are impressive bit's of kit, each one is lazer cut for accuracy and are produced from 420 High Carbon Stainless Steel. Galfer also offer the wave rotors with both Aluminum or Steel carriers. This isn't intended to be a tech article but if you'd like the full run down of material and spec then use the link at the bottom of this page to visit Galfer's website and get your nerd on!

Let me tell you that after 10-years of testing, using and abusing the Galfer Wave rotors on both my R1150GS and now my new R1200GSA LC, we’re more than impressed. The fact that we now take ‘for granted’ the  wave rotors, and their performance is testament to how flawlessly they’ve performed.

OK, here's the icing on the cake. They are less expensive than new BMW OEM rotors, their lighter and last longer. That got your attention, right? Try a set, I think you'll be impressed!

Wave Rotor Features

• 420 High Carbon Proprietary Virgin Stainless Steel
• Laser cut (not stamped like most others)
• Parallel Double Disc Ground for true parallel surface
• Heat-treated for each specific application
• Each design is CAD-CAM designed and stress analyzed
• KBA and TUV approved
• Aluminum relocation brackets (7075 T6 – 6082 T6)
• Carrier options include aluminum or stainless steel
• Aluminum (7075-T6-6082 T6)
• Stainless Steel (AISI 420)
• Lower weight
• More braking power
• Better heat dissipation
• Excellent resistance to corrosion
• Less tendency to warp
• Floating and solid mount options
• Maintains cleaner pad-disc contact surface
• Race proven
• Bike specific instructions
• 6 month warranty (when used with Galfer pads)
• Warranty still valid if used for racing!

Resources, more info:

• Galfer World Main Website – Galfer Performance Braking System