Right from the git-go Ive felt that he rear brakes aren't quite right. I dont use em "that much", usually when coasting up to stopped traffic trying not to have to completely stop before the lights change. I was thinking it may be just "me" in that the bike wont hardly come to a stop at all with just rear useage. but its definately weak.

After riding my friends FZ1 for a few days, I was back to having the rear brake power I was used to. and this is on a bike of similiar weight (over 500 anyway) to a 14. My R1, I could see being more effective with just the rear brakes, due to being lighter. But no, even the similiar weight fz1 stops well with the rear.

So yesterday I was exploring the limits of the rear brake, and while I could get it to lock, it too almost ALL my effort standing on the brake to make it do so.

Anyone else underwhelmed by the stopping power of the rear brake? or might I have a problem, like air in the line? Or do you just think that its not worn in, since it gets such little use?

* Last updated by: rod442 on 8/3/2012 @ 2:18 AM *

My ZX10 rear brake has no stopping power at all, I only use front brakes and the rear to assist...
U could try bleeding the system but I doubt it will help as its probably the caliper design...

This is the one complaint I've had with mine since the day I brought it home. I did bleed mine and it made no difference. I don't expect it to lock but I would like it to do something.

How did you bleed your rear brake?

Mine works like a champ. It takes a bit of pressure, but it will lock up at will. Not doubting what you are saying, but have you tried adjusting it?

LOL!!They can't be adjusted!Mine works like a champ also!GREAT for those trailbraking sessions in the canyons...I'll tell ya that!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/3/2012 @ 11:51 AM *

The rear brake on my 14 feels no different to that on most of the sports biased bikes I've owned. Nothing like enough power to stop the bike on it's own but MORE than enough for it's intended use. Braking on bikes like this must be at least 90%/10% front to rear. I guess everyone has there own riding style but, IMO, the rear is there just to steady the whole plot under braking, not to provide any real deceleration. A rear brake with too much power can be a liability.

How did you bleed your rear brake?

Am I misreading ALL your replies to me, or do you really think I'm a "F"ing moron?????????????? I may be new to the zx14 world as last fast street bike was a zx11. Between these 2 Kaws have been plenty of motorsports, outboard drag boat, quads and dirt bikes. Most recently I have been in the KTM and Husaberg arena. They come stock with great componets including Brembo brakes. Even with those great brakes they had issues with braking that was usually solved with bleeding the brakes and fresh fluid. Bleeding those ususally involved normal bleeding and back bleeding. For novices the kawasaki service manual breaks down bleeding step by step very nicely.

I also know that the great majority of your braking force is accomplished with the front brake. I am thinking (maybe incorrectly) that when I start drag racing this beast I will want to start the initial slow down with the back break, hence my desire for it to do something.

When I dropped the bike off at the dealership today to deal with the fairing problem I also asked them to check out the rear brake. If they find something I will post their findings, if not I'll depart this thread too.

Nah...I don't think you're a moron.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/3/2012 @ 7:59 PM *

Thanks for the reply's. it may be that I've not broken in the rear pad yet. Dunno. Ill give it some more use, to get a better idea on its capabilities, and see if feel improves. then if need be, Ill bleed it a bit.

Like I say, Im not expection huge stopping power, but it should at least stop the bike from under 10-15mph while coasting up to stopped traffic, with only a light pedal pressure. ALL the other bikes have rode, will do this No Problem. This one while rolling to a stop, will leave me doubting it will grab enough and I have to use a little front.

ToledoUPSguy, def post here what the dealer says about the brakes. I'd like to know.

Minus bleeding, there should be a bit of room for adjustment. I will have to look it up to be sure.

Don't take anything personal, its hard to get a good read on whats going on without as much info as possible. The rear brake on mine makes me think I should have waited for ABS...

I only use it to shed momentum, and the roads here are seriously heated when I've noticed. For me, it could be the stock tires. I've never had these type of tires and I've never ridden in this high of a temperature. The tires still have dealership air in them so I'm sure they are at 200 psi..lol.

Please keep us posted, better stopping is always...Better.

My rear brake performed horribly when I first got the bike. It was so bad that I removed everything and cleaned it and deglazed the pads before I ever had 500 miles on the bike.

Now, after 3000 miles of riding, the rear brake performs as it should. Maybe they just need a longer bedding-in session than is typical. I can lock the rear wheel now whereas before I could hardly feel any drag at all.

ToledoUPSguy, def post here what the dealer says about the brakes. I'd like to know.

Dealer was going to try sneaking bike in to day but was unable to. We're going on vacation and I didn't like the idea of my bike being wheeled in and out each day so I brought it home. Scheduled to go back Thursday right before they close and have it back by the weekend. Will let you know what they have to say.

Did quite a bit of riding this weekend. made sure I used the rear brakes, if only a little; every time I stopped. Feel and braking power came up quite a bit, so Im sure its just that the pads weren't bedded in yet.

Suprised it took this long. Im at 1450ish miles as of this morning. maybe I wasn't using the brake as much as I thought I was, being that this is the most comfortable bike Ive ever had. Ive been riding a lot more highway than I did with previous bikes. Or maybe these pads just take a lot of use, before they are "worn in".

Ill continue to make a conscious effort to use the rear brake more, and see if it continues to improve.

The rotors are a new material...as with the pads as well...probably what you're experiencing.I noticed right away when I removed my rear wheel for tire replacement...the caliper felt MUCH lighter than on my 07.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/7/2012 @ 1:50 AM *

Not sure of the relevance, but my friend says he has a pending recall on his concurs rear brakes.

I just sold my Concours 14, the rear brake recall isn't related to this. It's for a re-designed rear brake lever, since the original one has the tendency to catch small stones between it and the bike frame. Apparently, this can stick the lever in the down position and apply the rear brake while you're riding along, causing overheating and failure.

My rear brake has worked well since the day I brought it home.

Right from the git-go Ive felt that he rear brakes aren't quite right. I dont use em "that much", usually when coasting up to stopped traffic trying not to have to completely stop before the lights change. I was thinking it may be just "me" in that the bike wont hardly come to a stop at all with just rear useage. but its definately weak.

Same thing with the Gen 1. This and the busa are the only sportbikes I have ridden but what I have come to understand is that whe I am really braking at maximum force, the rear is gonna lift off or at least loighten up enough that the back will lock up easily. I don't bother about the weak rear brake. If I am ever going to use it without the front I will be on it very light anyway.

I do still use both front and rear brakes. The back is not nearly as good as the front but it makes a noticeable difference//....at least helps the fronts that do most of the work.

OK, got my bike back from the dealer today. I don't know if I can type long enough to express how pissed at Honda East I am, going back tomorrow to see how much they want to make right before I go into details.

Well, back to the back brake. technition (hack) rode it and felt it wasn't right, took caliper off and cleaned pads. No improvement at all.

I feel your pain on the Hack mechanic...first time I took my zx12 to the dealership, I watched the guy try to lift if with a stand and pinch my plastics between the jack and header....I LOST MY MIND. That was the day I started doing everything myself. If it has warranty work, I pull all the plastics and leave them in my garage...even pull my own tires off & have the rubber installed by someone I trust.

I assume these guys are authorized Kawisaki dealer too? Take it to someone who will treat your bike right.

The factory puts rotor protectant on these bikes before shipping.The DEALER is supposed to clean the protectant OFF of em before giving you the bike....sounds like maybe they didn't do this?Part of the dealer setup and prep.

At this point, I personally would get out the brake cleaner and hit the rear rotor. Also remove the pads, give them a light sanding & cleaning. Take it out and work it in.... Are the rear pads glazed? They might be too far gone or contaminated to the point of no return. Sounds like you need to find a better mechanic.... or start doing stuff yourself.

From my 99 ZRX to a 03 Z1000 and my 09 ZX-14 their mush.I liked going hot into a corner trailing the rear brake.But my bike might as well not have one.I tested a ZRX one time.Went about 60 pulled in the clutch and stood on the lever.Couldn't lock it up or even chrp the tire.I guess the brake just holds the axle and bearings up.
Crag

himm My rear brake isn't got a feeling or bite at all just slowing down but i though it is suppose to be like that :)