I bought my 98 K1200RS in April 2014 with 28K miles on her. I have put an additional 22K on the bike since. Near the end of 2014 had all the brake pads replaced as a matter of preventive maintenance. 10K later at the 48K inspection the tech said the rear pads were down to less than 25%. Service manager suggested that I was riding brake. I seldom use the rear brake! Next ride going into tight 90 degree RH turn I thought I saw sand and was going too fast (as usual)so I used the rear brake and there was NO brake. I managed the turn because the perception of sand was incorrect. Took bike back to dealer next day....tech spent several hours on it and found nothing wrong.
Next weekend saw me at Fontana Dam Resort in a raging downpour. I absolutely had not touched rear brake on ride to Fontana. I was in parking lot and had just finished backing up and tried to start forward but rear brake had locked up and I went down hard on left side. Trashed my left knee and demolished LF turn signal. It took 3 men to help me get bike back up and after inspection, rear wheel was free so I rode around the mountain and found a room. Next morning, I had to use rear brake to prevent running out in front of traffic from side road....gravel road, mud and sand at end of road. I rode 2 miles to gas station and stopped at pump. When I got off bike, rear end was SMOKING....for at least 15 minutes.
Bike is in shop now and they don't know why the brake did this. Replacing damaged parts (warped disc, cooked caliper, etc.) and ALL brake lines (and turn signal) for good measure will cost app. 2 grand. How can I trust this bike now? I have read the complaints about ABS pump failure on forums and the NHTSB web site and the pump failure doesn't seem to happen on the 98s. Current theory is bad brake line not allowing fluid to return to master cylinder?????
I will appreciate any and all comments on this TIA, Rileous
P.S. Tail of the Dragon was awesome, will have to go back every year.
Next weekend saw me at Fontana Dam Resort in a raging downpour. I absolutely had not touched rear brake on ride to Fontana. I was in parking lot and had just finished backing up and tried to start forward but rear brake had locked up and I went down hard on left side. Trashed my left knee and demolished LF turn signal. It took 3 men to help me get bike back up and after inspection, rear wheel was free so I rode around the mountain and found a room. Next morning, I had to use rear brake to prevent running out in front of traffic from side road....gravel road, mud and sand at end of road. I rode 2 miles to gas station and stopped at pump. When I got off bike, rear end was SMOKING....for at least 15 minutes.
Bike is in shop now and they don't know why the brake did this. Replacing damaged parts (warped disc, cooked caliper, etc.) and ALL brake lines (and turn signal) for good measure will cost app. 2 grand. How can I trust this bike now? I have read the complaints about ABS pump failure on forums and the NHTSB web site and the pump failure doesn't seem to happen on the 98s. Current theory is bad brake line not allowing fluid to return to master cylinder?????
I will appreciate any and all comments on this TIA, Rileous
P.S. Tail of the Dragon was awesome, will have to go back every year.
