Hi All
I'm new here though have been lurking for at least the last 6 months to get an idea on how the 1200R was in the hands of real owners. You all did your job satisfactorily as I am now the proud owner of one to! I've had if for about 6 weeks now and already have 2,500 kms on the clock. I'll post some more general feelings and pics on the bike at a later stage though one thing concerns me. I've got the ABS brakes and only just recently they seemed to have softened up quite a bit. Also, there is an uncomfortable (and increasing) amount of distant that one has to squeeze before the brakes start to activate. The brakes are also topping out at smaller and smaller distance from the grip (now it's at about 2 cms) which makes me even more worried. I took it to my dealer yesterday (Saturday) and he said it seems to be a known problem with the mechanics there though couldn't offer any more information on it until he speaks with the factory during this week.
Have any of you had this issue? Solutions? Is this firmness at all adjustable?
Baffler
Squishy Brakes
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Lost Rider
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I have a little brake issue with mine.
It started with a slight shudder when coming to a stop, maybe 15-0 MPH after a few thousand miles. A small shaking/pulsing feeling. I took it to the dealer, they took it for a ride, and yes they feel it too. They said they have to measure the brakes/rotors, etc. I have an appointment scheduled in a few week, after I get back from a trip.
A few days ago I had a new rear tire put on, and the mechanic who test rode it aftwards said the brakes feel squishy.
Unfourtunatly I can't get it looked at before this long trip, I'm leaving on Monday, so I will be paying close attention to the brakes. They don't feel bad, just a little wierd.
It started with a slight shudder when coming to a stop, maybe 15-0 MPH after a few thousand miles. A small shaking/pulsing feeling. I took it to the dealer, they took it for a ride, and yes they feel it too. They said they have to measure the brakes/rotors, etc. I have an appointment scheduled in a few week, after I get back from a trip.
A few days ago I had a new rear tire put on, and the mechanic who test rode it aftwards said the brakes feel squishy.
Unfourtunatly I can't get it looked at before this long trip, I'm leaving on Monday, so I will be paying close attention to the brakes. They don't feel bad, just a little wierd.
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DRothermel
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deilenberger
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I only have about 550 miles on mine (as of this afternoon - will be over 600 by tomorrow night, and 650.. and on..)
I noticed from when I first got my bike that the first time I pull on the front lever it moves closer to the grip than the second time if they are close in time. It never has pulled close enough to concern me (I can always fit at least one finger in with it pulled as hard as I might), and I have a guess what is happening.
Most disk brake calipers use a square section seal on the caliper pistons. The seal is designed to tilt just a bit when the piston is extended, and then exerts a slight force on the piston to pull it away from the pads when you let the pressure off. This would account for more movement in the lever on the first pull, and less on a quickly done second pull.
I wonder if this could be the cause of the original posters problem. The seals are also supposed to allow the pistons to move past them a bit as the pads wear, and the movement makes the pistons and brake system self-adjusting. It almost sounds as if the pistons (or a piston) aren't sliding on the seal like they should, and the seal may be moving the piston back too far when the pressure is relieved.
One question to the original poster - what position do you have your lever set for? I have small hands - and mine is set for the closest lever position.. Just curious.. 2cm still seems a good distance from the grip if you're in the closest position on the lever adjustment.
I noticed from when I first got my bike that the first time I pull on the front lever it moves closer to the grip than the second time if they are close in time. It never has pulled close enough to concern me (I can always fit at least one finger in with it pulled as hard as I might), and I have a guess what is happening.
Most disk brake calipers use a square section seal on the caliper pistons. The seal is designed to tilt just a bit when the piston is extended, and then exerts a slight force on the piston to pull it away from the pads when you let the pressure off. This would account for more movement in the lever on the first pull, and less on a quickly done second pull.
I wonder if this could be the cause of the original posters problem. The seals are also supposed to allow the pistons to move past them a bit as the pads wear, and the movement makes the pistons and brake system self-adjusting. It almost sounds as if the pistons (or a piston) aren't sliding on the seal like they should, and the seal may be moving the piston back too far when the pressure is relieved.
One question to the original poster - what position do you have your lever set for? I have small hands - and mine is set for the closest lever position.. Just curious.. 2cm still seems a good distance from the grip if you're in the closest position on the lever adjustment.
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
Hi Don, thanks for your input.
I have largish hands (can one-hand a basketball) and I have not adjusted the levers at all since the bike came out of the box. In any case, the lever at rest position sits perfectly on my first knuckles of my ring and index finger, which is just how I prefer it.
My situation sounds just as ChiTown also described (except there is no shuddering), i.e. squishy. I still have 2 cms before it bottoms out on the grip so it's not dangerous yet and the bike still stops on a dime so that's at least encouraging. I just get the feeling there is now too much play in the lever and there is too much distance that the level must travel before sufficient pressure is built up on the pads. Comparison with another 1200R at the dealer confirmed my brakes squishyness. When the pressure is there however, hooli-dooli does it stop.
I will keep you all posted on the progress.
BTW, I have been practicing hard, straight-line and curve braking a lot lately to hone my braking skills at various speeds under various conditions. It's amazing how hard you can squeeze these brakes and how quickly it stops and still stays upright. But it pays to practice this regularly and I can recommend you all do some hard braking once in while. Wouldn't want to forget that skill when you most need it.
Baffler
I have largish hands (can one-hand a basketball) and I have not adjusted the levers at all since the bike came out of the box. In any case, the lever at rest position sits perfectly on my first knuckles of my ring and index finger, which is just how I prefer it.
My situation sounds just as ChiTown also described (except there is no shuddering), i.e. squishy. I still have 2 cms before it bottoms out on the grip so it's not dangerous yet and the bike still stops on a dime so that's at least encouraging. I just get the feeling there is now too much play in the lever and there is too much distance that the level must travel before sufficient pressure is built up on the pads. Comparison with another 1200R at the dealer confirmed my brakes squishyness. When the pressure is there however, hooli-dooli does it stop.
I will keep you all posted on the progress.
BTW, I have been practicing hard, straight-line and curve braking a lot lately to hone my braking skills at various speeds under various conditions. It's amazing how hard you can squeeze these brakes and how quickly it stops and still stays upright. But it pays to practice this regularly and I can recommend you all do some hard braking once in while. Wouldn't want to forget that skill when you most need it.
Baffler
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deilenberger
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Still be interesting to know where it's adjusted to.. it's easy to check. At rest (don't do this while riding.. although I did once..) Push the lever forwards just a bit - and turn the small knob found at the base of the lever. Out is closer - in is further from the grip. Since you haven't adjusted the lever - could be it's already at the closest to the bars position.baffler wrote:Hi Don, thanks for your input.
I have largish hands (can one-hand a basketball) and I have not adjusted the levers at all since the bike came out of the box. In any case, the lever at rest position sits perfectly on my first knuckles of my ring and index finger, which is just how I prefer it.
Is there any change on repeated application of the brake - in quick succession?My situation sounds just as ChiTown also described (except there is no shuddering), i.e. squishy. I still have 2 cms before it bottoms out on the grip so it's not dangerous yet and the bike still stops on a dime so that's at least encouraging. I just get the feeling there is now too much play in the lever and there is too much distance that the level must travel before sufficient pressure is built up on the pads. Comparison with another 1200R at the dealer confirmed my brakes squishyness. When the pressure is there however, hooli-dooli does it stop.
I will keep you all posted on the progress.
Baffler
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
If your brakes are squishy, they may need a bleed. You may have air in the line that compresses easier than hydraulic fluid and this gives a squishy feel. Did the dealer bleed the brakes for you?
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... eed+brakes
About the pulsing brakes… This may be uneven pad material on the rotor. Try to re-bed in your brakes (do google search on the topic for more info). SAFELY perform several light stops from 60mph down to 10mph, repeat 8 or so times with increasing force each time. Your final few stops should be very hard stops, but do not let abs activate (if you have it) and do not let the bike come to a complete stop. You must do these acceleration and brake cycles close to each other so the rotors do not have time to cool between cycles, so find an empty back road somewhere.
The idea is to slowly heat up the brake pads and rotors until they are hot, then you apply an even coat of brake material to the rotor when you're done. If you feel the brakes start to get soft, stop cycling, this means you've gotten them hot enough. Also, when you smell the brakes, this is an indicator you've gotten them hot enough.
When you are done, you can either try and park the bike without further use of the brakes (glide to a stop) and let the bike cool for 30+ minutes, or go on a long highway drive to cool the brakes. You should see some pad material on the rotor, which may make it look a little dark in color, but the color should be relatively even across the rotor.
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... eed+brakes
About the pulsing brakes… This may be uneven pad material on the rotor. Try to re-bed in your brakes (do google search on the topic for more info). SAFELY perform several light stops from 60mph down to 10mph, repeat 8 or so times with increasing force each time. Your final few stops should be very hard stops, but do not let abs activate (if you have it) and do not let the bike come to a complete stop. You must do these acceleration and brake cycles close to each other so the rotors do not have time to cool between cycles, so find an empty back road somewhere.
The idea is to slowly heat up the brake pads and rotors until they are hot, then you apply an even coat of brake material to the rotor when you're done. If you feel the brakes start to get soft, stop cycling, this means you've gotten them hot enough. Also, when you smell the brakes, this is an indicator you've gotten them hot enough.
When you are done, you can either try and park the bike without further use of the brakes (glide to a stop) and let the bike cool for 30+ minutes, or go on a long highway drive to cool the brakes. You should see some pad material on the rotor, which may make it look a little dark in color, but the color should be relatively even across the rotor.
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