My buddy just got a Switchback and is complaining about the front brake. You can pull the lever all the way back to the grip without much pressure. He's taken it back to the dealer twice. First time they bled the system and said there were a few small air bubbles. Last time they said they could do nothing and that's just the way it is. He's coming off of an XR1200 with 2-finger braking but pulling to the grip doesn't seem right. Anyone else experience the same or have any suggestions?

 

Apples and oranges, but for what it's worth my 2002 RKC was the same way when I got it. It needed tires and I was new to riding, so I had the local indy do the the three fluids, tires and take a look at the brakes. He said that's just the way they are.

I just did my 20K service and bled the brakes myself, they are tight as a virgin on prom night now. I'm sure a dealer should know how to properly bleed brakes, but IMO have him do it himself and see what the results are.

 

I don't experience that at all. The brakes could be more efficient with dual rotors but no spongy here at all.

 

I'd bleed the brakes again and make sure the brake fluid levels are correct.

 

I don't care what anyone tells you, the brake lever should not come back and touch the grip EVER.

 

Thanks much. Didn't think "that is the way it's supposed to be" was the correct answer.

 

Have him pull the brake lever all the way back and tape it to the throttle. Leave it over night. Should tighten up. Also he could pump the brakes a bunch of times before and after doing this.

 

Sometimes on a new bike system, the parts need to "seat" themselves before they start to work properly. But going down to the grip is a different issue. I'm thinking that there's a defect in the actuall brake line itself to where it's expanding somewhere and not allowing the hydraulics to build enough pressure to do what they need to do.

 

it needs to be bled

 

To op was it like that when your buddy got the bike back? If so they probably didn't pump the brakes enough. When I bled and changed mine, I refilled and got all the air bubbles out. After that I could still pull it all the way back to the throttle with no resistance. Then I read online about the tying the brake to the grip overnight firmed it right up.