2007 R1200RT Rear Brake Caliper warm to the touch...

thumpinbee said:

Recently had a incident where I lost the rear-most caliper bolt on my 2007 R1200RT upon exiting the freeway. Applying rear brakes caused the caliper to rotate (forward or clockwise) and the brake pads to lock-up (squeezed unevenly) on the rotor... Scary moment but thank goodness I was traveling a reduced speed by then.
After towing the bike home and inspected the rear brake, I took the caliper/pads off, cleaned them off, filed some "burrs" that had formed on the pads by the uneven-squeezing/lock-up, pushed the pistons back in and, reinstalled everything (including new bolt, washers and Lock-Tite(r) but same pads).
Went for a test ride and everything seems to be working great...
After yesterday's commute from work (freeway stop-n-go traffic, uhg!), I did a cursory check of the rear brake caliper and noticed that it was quite warm to the touch; not hot to give a burning sensation but, definitely warm. By comparision, the front calipers were cool to the touch.
I decided to ride the bike to work this morning (40 mile commute) without using the rear brakes. Traffic was light to I was able to do so and inspected/touched the caliper upon my arrival. Again, the caliper was warm to the touch but, not as warm as yesterday afternoon.
Should I be concerned?
Any comments/help is appreciated.
Regards,
Andre

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marchyman said:

Your bike has partially integrated brakes. Every time you squeeze the front lever you are applying some amount of rear braking in addition to front braking. In that manner you did not "ride without using the rear brake". That may explain why the caliper was warm to the touch.

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wyman.winn said:

in my limited experience the rear caliper on my 2013 RT is slightly warm to the touch after a ride.....the pads ever so lightly touch the rotor which will cause some light friction...friction is heat....and since there is little if any airflow over the caliper unlike the front calipers i expect it to be warm, but not hot....

as a maintenance tip, i would flush the rear brake system if it has not been done in the last year.....two year interval is recommended, but i find that the once a year is easy and cheap....

now the real question is why did the caliper bolt fall out.....???

wyman

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