I should add that the brakes are fine and certainly have power and bite, just feel a bit 'soft' at the lever. As this is my first GS and having lived with every sports bike known for the last 17 years I considered it just owing to long travel suspension and the fact that the tyres are not made of sticky snot, there was German reasoning behind it.
Soft Front Brake Lever
- Thread starter 36terence
- Start date
WindyChuffer
Registered user
Sounds to me like you need to get used to the bike.
Maybe try a different GS for comparison.
Maybe try a different GS for comparison.
This is my 3rd GS, but the 1st with ABS. The one I test rode (with ABS) was fine, as was the RT and 800R I used while this one was in the shop being looked at. Still not sure where this will end up, but I certainly wasn't comfortable on frosty roads this morning!
Thought I'd try and show what I'm talking about, so I've tried to add a picture.
The solid lines show the amount of play in the lever from "rest" position, to the point at which the brake light comes on - 23mm of travel at the point I measured.
The dotted line is the same thing but with the lever set in the position closest to the bar. In this position, the lever actually pulls back far enough to actually touch the grip - not so good when you only use two fingers to brake!
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Bendy toy
Registered user
That can't be right!
Check the hoses are not expanding when you pull the brake lever. Then it sounds like the system needs to be bled.
On non ABS bikes I like to push fluid in from the caliper with a syringe as it can't suck air through the nipple threads. Every now an again use a 2nd syringe to remove excess fluid from the reservoir. Afterwards (gently) tie the brake lever back ideally overnight to let fine bubble escape.
But I dont know if this allowed on a 1200 GS.
Check the hoses are not expanding when you pull the brake lever. Then it sounds like the system needs to be bled.
On non ABS bikes I like to push fluid in from the caliper with a syringe as it can't suck air through the nipple threads. Every now an again use a 2nd syringe to remove excess fluid from the reservoir. Afterwards (gently) tie the brake lever back ideally overnight to let fine bubble escape.
But I dont know if this allowed on a 1200 GS.
skywalker
Guest
The master cylinder has been redesigned. If you look there's no sponge in the reservoir any more. Braking efficiency has improved with this redesign but downside is the amount of lever travel. Its a matter of adapting to it.
Think you might be right, especially as the dealer never bothered to get back to me - quality after sales service!
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