Rear brakes - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

03gsxr600 · 09-20-2005, 04:10 AM

When you press down on the rear brake lever how far down should the lever go before brake contact is made to the rear tire? Mine seems to go down a good 3 inches before I feel the bike slow down. I just bled the brakes and wondering if maybe there still some air in the lines.

**inspiron** · 09-20-2005, 04:31 AM

I don't know if there is a fixed rule about this, but 3 inches does seem to be way too far. When I step on my rear brake, it makes contact with the disc after about 1/2 to 3/4 inch, and full travel is probably less than 2.5 inches. Are your brake pads worn down?

Keep in mind too that the rear brakes are much less effective than the front brakes. On my bike, I've got dual discs with 6-piston calipers in the front, and a single disc with a 4-piston caliper in the rear.

**Clint** · 09-20-2005, 08:07 AM

Rear brakes on most consumer bikes are intentionally vague. Manufacturers don't want you sliding it around. Mine travels a good two inches before firm stopping power shows up.

Nexus242 · 09-20-2005, 10:27 AM

Have you checked your pads to see if they are in spec?? Have you adjusted your brake lever yet too?? Have you changed your brake fluid with in the last 2 years??

03gsxr600 · 09-21-2005, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus242

Have you checked your pads to see if they are in spec?? Have you adjusted your brake lever yet too?? Have you changed your brake fluid with in the last 2 years??

The bike has only 1000 miles on it so I don't think I need to replace the pads yet. Not sure why I would have to change the factory setting on the brake lever. I have never messed with it since the day I brought the bike home. I just changed the brake fluid two weeks ago.

**Clint** · 09-21-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03gsxr600

Not sure why I would have to change the factory setting on the brake lever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03gsxr600

Mine seems to go down a good 3 inches before I feel the bike slow down.

That's why. Like I already said, Suzuki doesn't want the thousands of teenage boys that buy their bikes to be highsiding from ham-footed rear brake inputs. Adjust it where you like it and go riding.

09-20-2005, 04:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
03gsxr600 Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 14	Rear brakes When you press down on the rear brake lever how far down should the lever go before brake contact is made to the rear tire? Mine seems to go down a good 3 inches before I feel the bike slow down. I just bled the brakes and wondering if maybe there still some air in the lines. __________________ 03 Suzuki GSXR 600 04 Mustang Cobra...sold 02 Mustang GT Convertible...sold 98 Mustang Cobra...sold 92 Suzuki Katana GSX600f...sold Last edited by 03gsxr600; 09-21-2005 at 01:03 AM.

09-20-2005, 04:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,068	I don't know if there is a fixed rule about this, but 3 inches does seem to be way too far. When I step on my rear brake, it makes contact with the disc after about 1/2 to 3/4 inch, and full travel is probably less than 2.5 inches. Are your brake pads worn down? Keep in mind too that the rear brakes are much less effective than the front brakes. On my bike, I've got dual discs with 6-piston calipers in the front, and a single disc with a 4-piston caliper in the rear. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

09-20-2005, 10:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nexus242 Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: yellow and black Location: Wide awake in dreamland... Posts: 1,935	Have you checked your pads to see if they are in spec?? Have you adjusted your brake lever yet too?? Have you changed your brake fluid with in the last 2 years?? __________________ The killer in me is the killer in you My love I send this smile over to you...Smashing Pumpkins

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