Front brakes

[Sungaets]

I am finding that the front brakes on my 2013/14 te are a bit on the feeble side, they do stop you on a hard pull on the lever but just lightly pulling seems to have no effect,i was wondering if anyone has had any issues, it almost feels like they need to be bled, it is coming up for it's 6000 mile service.

 

[madmartin]

The brakes fitted to the lc are excellent you really dont get much better on a standard machine. Sounds like your front brake is modulating perfectly. You dont want a "grabby" front brake. A slight squeeze of the brake lever should give a slight braking effect which is all good. "Grabby" brakes are not good.

 

[pistole]

i had a failed master front brake assembly very early onto my ownership.

have it looked at.

bmw brakes are very good , usually

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I think you will find that they replace the brake fluid as part of the 6k service but best if you also mention your concern when booking the bike in

 

[JayGee]

I think you will find that they replace the brake fluid as part of the 6k service but best if you also mention your concern when booking the bike in

They did change mine at 6000 mile service, just a crazy idea IMHO as the bike was less than six months old and the fluid only really needs changing every two years and even that is debatable.
I do find that the front can get a bit glazed but a couple of hard high speed stops soon bed them back in, riding mainly rural roads they sometimes don't get a lot of hard use.

 

[The Grey One]

They did change mine at 6000 mile service, just a crazy idea IMHO as the bike was less than six months old and the fluid only really needs changing every two years and even that is debatable.
I do find that the front can get a bit glazed but a couple of hard high speed stops soon bed them back in, riding mainly rural roads they sometimes don't get a lot of hard use.

Brake fluid needs changing when it has absorbed moisture to an extent that leads to significant reduction in the boiling point of the fluid. A time interval is only a rough guide and not necessary these days when fluid testers are cheap and reliable. I guess BMW are being cautious and understand that a bike being "less that six months old" could in fact have been assembled months prior to first registration.

As for the need for replacing brake fluid being debatable I think that is only the case amongst those who say they can't see how moisture gets in without actually looking into the science. Carry on debating your beliefs, don't let facts get in the way.

John

 

[Sungaets]

Thanks for all the replies , my bike will be in for it's 6000 mile service towards the end of next week, to quote Mad Martin my front brake is not even grabby, when i pull on the lever hoping to be slowed up there is not much happening, but give it a good squeeze , maybe even operate it a couple it will pull you up, coming to a stop , say at a junction, the brake can't be applied gently basically all or nothing, my brake lever is also very nearly touching the handlebar,no room to get a finger in between it and the bars. So i am hoping that a bleed will cure this.

 

[JayGee]

Brake fluid needs changing when it has absorbed moisture to an extent that leads to significant reduction in the boiling point of the fluid. A time interval is only a rough guide and not necessary these days when fluid testers are cheap and reliable. I guess BMW are being cautious and understand that a bike being "less that six months old" could in fact have been assembled months prior to first registration.

As for the need for replacing brake fluid being debatable I think that is only the case amongst those who say they can't see how moisture gets in without actually looking into the science. Carry on debating your beliefs, don't let facts get in the way.

John

If they'd used a tester then I wouldn't have a problem but changing it so soon as a matter of routine seems a bit OTT to me. Yes it's an opinion, that's what IMHO means, but it's based on facts, so thanks for the condescending advice.

 

[The Grey One]

If they'd used a tester then I wouldn't have a problem but changing it so soon as a matter of routine seems a bit OTT to me. Yes it's an opinion, that's what IMHO means, but it's based on facts, so thanks for the condescending advice.

Is the first 6,000 mile service too soon? For many people that is a years riding. Actually I agree about testing being the better option but can understand how a manufacturer worrying that testing might not be carried out properly would opt for a policy of changing instead.

Interesting that you take my comments as condescending. Actually I would put it stronger than that,those who fail to check facts fully before forming opinions don't need condescension, just education.

It is well proven that moisture content in brake fluid reduces the boiling point and that this can and does lead to brake failure
It is well proven that moisture finds it's way into bike brake systems despite the "sealed" nature of such systems.

Have opinions about politics and religion, especially the latter where facts are hardly relevant. Base your choices as regards maintenance of your bike, at least in those areas related to safety, on an educated view of the science. And for those of you you say it's your choice as regards risk, how many of you ride on your own private roads. As we share the roads we all have a responsibility to reduce the risks where we can.

John

 

[RedRick Esq.]

A mate has complained to me that the brakes on his LC are not good which surprised me as he seemed to stop ok !

The brakes on my WCADV are excellent

 

[madmartin]

Thanks for all the replies , my bike will be in for it's 6000 mile service towards the end of next week, to quote Mad Martin my front brake is not even grabby, when i pull on the lever hoping to be slowed up there is not much happening, but give it a good squeeze , maybe even operate it a couple it will pull you up, coming to a stop , say at a junction, the brake can't be applied gently basically all or nothing, my brake lever is also very nearly touching the handlebar,no room to get a finger in between it and the bars. So i am hoping that a bleed will cure this.

Ok. A bit more info. Yes your frontbrake lever should not make contact with the handlebar when squeezed. Does sound like a fluid change etc. Have you checked the front discs for contamination/grease/oil etc.

 

[DING-DONG]

It is well proven that moisture finds it's way into bike brake systems despite the "sealed" nature of such systems.



John

But its not sealed !! Especially the cap i removed my cap to find condensation on the inside !

Its probably one of the reasons why my front brake lever touched the bar grip and the bike carried on the dealer changed the fluid and bleed the system however as of yesterday i noticed it leaking from the cap, remove the lid/cap and inside the lid is full of condensation ...

 

[Sungaets]

As Ding Dong says his cap was leaking nust so happens my one is doing the same, i have tightened the screws, i never opened it up for a look inside,i am in the middle Bilco's pacific tour just now, finish on Friday,bike booked in on Saturday at Santa Rosa BMW,i had the 600 mile service and the bike had 2000 miles on the clock.

 

[pistole]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5cYHjIvcgsQ?list=UUaSd0wGWQjQpDZdiwMdifAw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

this was my failure. Sounds like yours.

 

[Voz]

My 13 GSW started to feel a bit wooden on the front brakes by 9500 klm. I had already just replaced the rear pads as they were almost down to metal. I was just about to look at replacing the front pads just before the gearbox/engine broke.

 

[Bendy toy]

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. It has no effect on the lever travel. With neglect there is a risk of the fluid boiling under heavy braking such as a long downhill. That will make the brakes fail.
TBH 6000 miles/6months is over cautious. But changing the fluid does flush out bubbles.
The more immediate issue with bikes is corrosion of the aluminium caliper body distorting the seals. Change fluid regularly and seals last a lot longer

 

[Sungaets]

Just to let you know what was the outcome of my brake problem, the brakes were bled and the pressure is now considerably more than was, so much for the service from my original dealer.