Rear Brake Strength

[black1100]

The good lady picked up a 2004 1200GS the weekend and the weakness of the rear brake frightens her after the 1150. I'd put it down to new pads bedding in but she has just spoke to the dealers (the battery is also shot) and they have told her "they are all like that", due to them being interlinked!

WTF

Is this in any way true or are they talking crap. Planning to stop in slow traffic using just the rear is like bringing an oil tanker to a halt, where as you could lock the rears of the 1150 and my old 1100 at will.

Comments please

 

[Shep]

Yep, they are all like that. It does actually work well enough at very low speed, but it still needs a good stomp to activate the ABS.

Fit the sintered (off road pads) from BMW for a much extended life, standard ones can be back to the metal, way before a service is due, keep a good eye on them.

Shep

 

[shugie]

Yep, they are all like that. It does actually work well enough at very low speed, but it still needs a good stomp to activate the ABS.

Fit the sintered (off road pads) from BMW for a much extended life, standard ones can be back to the metal, way before a service is due, keep a good eye on them.

Shep

Did you fit those yourself, or did the dealers do it? Not an issue with the BMW warranty I guess.

 

[Shep]

Did you fit those yourself, or did the dealers do it? Not an issue with the BMW warranty I guess.

I've fitted a few sets and the dealer has fitted one set (during a service) I have no idea if it would invalidate the warrantee, but I doubt it as its a BMW part number. Its worth in IMO just for peace of mind as the standard ones wear extremly fast on road and if you mixed a bit of sand/mud in I think they would just dissapear.

Shep

 

[luckylucian]

Luckily we have no diving front end so a bit of front brake can be used and controll still kept

 

[Jon P]

I know the brakes are linked, so other than just to keep the bike 'in check' at slow speeds I tend to leave the back alone and let the link system look after the back (this is of course different if you don't have ABS).

If you are trying to use the back brake hard then maybe you should re-consider your riding style? It really isn't designed for slowing the bike, it is just there to maintain a bit of control. It's the fronts that do all the slowing work.

I know that they are not considered 'trendy' but I still rate the overall performance of a drum rear brake in preference to rear disks. In my opinion much more suited to the task.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

As you say, they all do that.

But why, on a bike with such good linked brakes, would you want to use the back brake in anything other than exceptional circumstances (very slow speed control, wheelies, off road)

Andres

 

[Shep]

I know that they are not considered 'trendy' but I still rate the overall performance of a drum rear brake in preference to rear disks. In my opinion much more suited to the task.

Untill they get hot and fade, then you'll wish you had a disc again

Shep

 

[Jon P]

Untill they get hot and fade, then you'll wish you had a disc again

Shep

Hot and fade you say? Never an issue on the back - as I say the back brake really isn't meant to be doing that much work.

 

[black1100]

As you say, they all do that.

But why, on a bike with such good linked brakes, would you want to use the back brake in anything other than exceptional circumstances (very slow speed control, wheelies, off road)

Andres

Keep in mind she has only had the bike for a few days, she is an all year rider and spends most of her time filtering through the local traffic. When on the open road the engine braking on the 1150 ment she hadn't touched the front brake lever in about 2 years

It's going to be a case of adjusting her riding style to the bike, though at this moment in time she dont like it

Thanks for the quick replys

On a different note she has just called me from Clarkes in Birmingham. BMW rescue were at the house within 20mins of the knackered battery. Straight to the dealers, battery changed, free drinks etc....top service

Now she is "looking" in the clothing department

 

[Nate]

Planning to stop in slow traffic using just the rear is like bringing an oil tanker to a halt

Thats about right

When I first got my 1200 I remember worrying about the rear brakes, put I had just come from a sports bike, so assumed it was the weight difference...

Just fitted the EBV HH pads all round and it sharpens up the brakes a treat

 

[radrod]

Try test riding another similar configured bike to see how they compare.

I don't have the servo or ABS and i can lock up my rear easily enough.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

When on the open road the engine braking on the 1150 ment she hadn't touched the front brake lever in about 2 years

It's going to be a case of adjusting her riding style to the bike, though at this moment in time she dont like it

I think all bike manufacturers tread a fine line. If they make back brakes too strong soemone clumsy will lock it up and complain. If they make them cautious - as the 1200GS rear brake is - others complain.

Without wishing to sound too critical, you would never blame a car manufacturer that the handbrake needed a really hard tug to slow the car down. Back brakes just don't work as well as front ones - if they're as strong, the wheels just lock as the weight transfers.

If your wife hasn't used the front brake for a while, she may well not realise how quickly she can slow down if necessary. It might be good for her to go out on a quiet road and remind herself. This might also make her feel confident using the front brake lever to activate both brakes.

I only ever use the back brake pedal for very slow speed stuff, or when I think grip is going to be marginal on the front brake. In those conditions, I don't want the rear brake to be too strong.

 

[VAL. H.]

The linked brakes vary the amount of the front to rear pressure dependent on the the pressure applied to the leaver. Light pressure = more to the rear. Heavy pressure = more to the front.
But when your new to the 1200 it can be very disconcerting. Especially when your used to a very positive rear brake.

I did two things to get a better feel through the rear brake paddle.

First; I fitted sintered (HH) pads.

Secondly; I adjusted out as much freeplay out of the rear brake leaver movement as possible (remember not to rest you foot on the brake when you aren't using it).

This second thing made a big difference. But still didn't make the brake as good as I was used to.

However! I did after a little time get used to the feel of the brake. One thing you can be sure of with these bikes with ABS fitted, it will stop, when you want it to.

Don't worry about the crap rear brake, it's better than you think.

Have fun and ride safe. Val.

The good lady picked up a 2004 1200GS the weekend and the weakness of the rear brake frightens her after the 1150. I'd put it down to new pads bedding in but she has just spoke to the dealers (the battery is also shot) and they have told her "they are all like that", due to them being interlinked!

WTF

Is this in any way true or are they talking crap. Planning to stop in slow traffic using just the rear is like bringing an oil tanker to a halt, where as you could lock the rears of the 1150 and my old 1100 at will.

Comments please

 

[Phil Clarke]

I think they've made the back brake weak deliberately to allow a bit more precision control off road. I find it handy for balancing the bike in corners and scrubbing off a bit of speed where required. I've also used it to good effect to control speed on downhill tracks when I want to go slower than the tall first gear will allow, I keep the clutch in and control speed using the back brake. Its also nice to know that even if I stomp on it it isn't going to lock up the back wheel (I'm sans ABS)

 

[andyclift]

You don't want the back brake any stonger - the damned pads wear out too fast as it is. Mind you in two years use with two up tours of Europe with autobahns and alpine passes + plus driving in London traffic and weekends scratching around the lanes - I never remember using the rear brake. Unless you want to go off road the pedal seems a bit redundant.

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

You don't want the back brake any stonger - the damned pads wear out too fast as it is. Mind you in two years use with two up tours of Europe with autobahns and alpine passes + plus driving in London traffic and weekends scratching around the lanes - I never remember using the rear brake. Unless you want to go off road the pedal seems a bit redundant.

Dammit, i use my rear brake sometimes in London traffic, but I am a rubbish rider

 

[VAL. H.]

Dammit, i use my rear brake sometimes in London traffic, but I am a rubbish rider

I use my back brake quite a lot. Anything below walking pace I'll favour the rear.
I also use front and rear when on slow steep off road decents with clutch held in, aswell as with clutch engaged.

It's a personal thing. If the bike stops and you ain't fell off... then you've stopped ain't cha

Just don't tell the DSA or the IAM boys

 

[black1100]

Cheers again guys, got to have another run on her 12 yesterday and the rear brake has really smartened up a lot, sill weak by comparison to the 1150, but much better all the same, looks like i was partly right and it was new pads needing to bed in