Spongy Rear Brake

The rear brake on my sixth gen ABS seems spongy and weak. It will stop the bike, but I have to crank it pretty hard. Is this normal? Could I have glazed the pads practicing emergency stops?

I know some people don't use the rear at all. I do, sometimes, and am starting to learn trail braking. Maybe I should be happy it doesn't grab much...

Does anyone else find this?

 

Yes, my 6th gen's rear brake is also a bit spongy, but I don't need to crank it hard to have it be effective.

 

My rear seems numb when you step on it even though it works right away it seems you have to push hard to do anything. I just installed new rotors (wave Galfers) and pads. The front is GREAT but the rear leaves a lot to be desired. Anyone else have this issue?

 

What are you guys doing using the rear brake? Parking lot? Low speed maneauvers? Just curious as to your use.

The rear brake should be spongy. You don't want that thing locking up with anything less than a lot of pressure (mute point with the linked VFR brakes). On my SV, the rear brake will lock up but only after a relatively large amount pressure. NEVER does the rear brake work "well" compared to the front. The rear brake stopping power is a very slow, progressive feel until eventually the rear wheel will lock up.

In short, your brakes are working fine :biggrin:

 

I like to use the rear and the front (more front then rear) but the rear will never lock up no matter how hard I push. I'm thinking I sould change to EBC HH's? They say they have the best bite. I've only put a few mile on my Galfer Blacks but they don't seem real strong.

 

Seriously the rear brake/wheel WILL NOT lock up. The linked brakes pretty much prevent it. Changing the pads will not help. EBC's are great pads and have a tremendous bite when new but they will not help the inherent issues you are describing. The only way I've ever had the rear wheel lock up is when braking so hard on the front that the rear wheel lifts off the ground (which results in a nasty squeal from the tire).

Fuggetaboutit man! :biggrin:

 

Ok I may be looking for too much from it....Just would like it to bite hard in the rear also. Now when I step on it the front will dive and you don't really feel much back brake....

 

I too did not like the weak feeling rear brake. At first I replaced the fluid and bled the system (which is quite a bit of work as the system goes to the front brakes as well.) Then I put EBC HH in the rear and WOW! did it change. l tried it with the rear pads only as HH. It felt much better. HH do have a MUCH higher initial bite. I then replaced the fronts with EBC HH. If I use the rear pedal only, NOW the front will actually dive as the systems are linked. The pedal actually now does a good job of slowing down the bike. BUT, the Front EBC HH I feel are too grabby up front. I use Dunlop Roadsmart and I can actually lock the front tire with just a few fingers. (This is tricky, locking the front wheel and not crashing) I feel the EBC HH are TOO grabby in the front. But in the back, it feels great to me. I think these EBC HH would be just awesome if the 98-01 had ABS- I am looking for some new front pads with a bit less initial bite. I may switch back in the factory fronts and leave the EBC in the back.

However, if anyone has a weaker feeling brake system, always replace the brake fluid first. This stuff really does soak in the moisture and air and cause that spongy feel. I have done that with my bikes and cars over the years and just changing fluids makes the vehicle feel like you gave it a "Brake Job". And with the double length lines of this Linked Brake System, it is even more critical to replace the fluid every few years. 3-5 years max. Read the manual on brake bleeding as there is a real routine to follow to get it to bleed correctly.

 

Sorry for digging up an old thread... When I replaced my discs and pads a few months ago, I decided to replace the caliper piston seals at the same time. In the bottom of each caliper was grey sludge... AKA emulsified water... I have no idea when the previous owner last changed the fluid (probably never). The moral of the story is: Change your brake fluid regularly!

As for wanting more rear brake power... My advice is to work on front brake power and feel. The front is far more important than the rear, and if you listen to what Reg Pridmore has to say, you'd ensure that your rear brake's set up so it's difficult to lock up...

Now... I'll get back to my search for the Holy Grail of Viffer brake feel...