I bought my '07 S40 in May.  The brakes started squeaking almost immediately and either progressively got worse or got on my nerves more and more.  

So, I took the bike back to the dealer where I bought it and was told by the service writer there was nothing that could really be done for them.  Stewed about that on the way home and then called the service manager.  He said "all the Suzuki cruisers brakes squeak due to vibration" but there was a few things they could try.  

Took the bike in for the first (600 mile) service a few days ago.  The mechanic said he sprayed some blue anti-squeel on the backs of the pad and sanded them some.  Left the dealership and the brakes actually made no noise at all!  I was so happy.  I went on a group ride the next day and about 30-40 miles into the ride they are started to squeak again.  Now what do I do?

Thanks.
Colleen

This whole thing is pretty common with a new bike.  And the dealerships really don't have a clue.  They'll say anything to get you to shut up and leave anyway.

The funny part is (if you notice), there aren't that many posts about squeaking brakes on older Savages in this forum.  They seem to wear in after a while.  Ours haven't squeaked in a few years, and even then, my spouse's squeaked more than mine ever did.

Make sure the brake rotor is good and clean.  If it feels a little bit oily then clean it with a solvent and resurface the pads with some sand paper.

Do you favor the rear brake more than the front brake?  Make sure you use the front brake at least as much as the rear brake.  You might try a few good strong straight line stops with the front brake and see if that helps...just be careful not to lock it up.

Also use the anti-squeal compound goo from a tube instead of a spray, I think it lasts longer.

I was a squeal critic when my bike was new.  I also really thought you couldn't get rid of the noise as I tried and tried (but only did the easy cosmetic things).

Front brake pads HAVE to be changed to SBC or other good aftermarket pad set.  EMCO works according to the folks on the list.  I can personally vouch for SBC.  Sand your rotor surfaces with 320 grit wet or dry (keeping in the contact patch) to remove glaze materials that build up from the OEM pads.  Put thick anti-squeal paste on the back of your new pads and let it harden some before you put them in place.

Rear brake drum steel contact surface HAS to have all the extremely rough machining marks blunted down completely with 180-220 grit sandpaper (very laborious but necessary).   The leading and trailing edges of the OEM shoe pad surfaces need to be lightly beveled (shallow angle).   You have to get rid of all the loose wear dust from inside the drum

<DANGEROUS -- may contain asbestos compounds>

Please use a parts cleaner or else please use a can of engine cleaner and a stream of water to remove it, don't just hit it with an air jet which puts it into the air and in your lungs.  Remember to lightly relube your brake cams with moly grease.

Do these things and the squealing goes away.  

I am a believer now.

Oldfeller

Need a tire?  Make you a special deal on a Dunlop 140/90-15 for you only $50 plus a used cam chain and you pay the cost of shipping.

Oldfeller

Thanks a bunch everyone for the advice on getting this fixed!  I printed some of this out and took it with me to the dealer.  He's ordered some softer pads and says he will use the anti-squeal again & he will lightly sand the rotor.  

Colleen

I've had the red EBC pads (FA106X) on the front for 9 months 6000 miles, it has stayed silent. So far so good.

Rear still noisy tho.

I didnt like how easy it was to lock the rear brake & modified the shoes. Doesnt squeal often any more, either. Tapering the ends of the shoes with a grinder is what is offered as a solution for the squeal. I did that & cut grooves across the shoes to the point that only about half was left to contact the drum. I like it a lot better.