Since I got my bike (2010 FXDC) I have had issues with the rear brake.

I quite literally have to stand on it before I start feeling any braking power coming from it, and even then its minimal. Now I do understand the 80% of stopping power is on the front Brake, but I dont think I am getting even 10% out of the rear.

I have had it adjusted/looked at by the dealer several times and they cant work it out (they do acknowledge that its not performing the way it should) and they are continuing to look for a solution, I have to go back to them today for the 4th time so they can try out different pads.

Add to the above that this morning on my way into work I was hearing and feeling a knocking sound from the rear brake anytime I used it, almost as if it was behaving like an ABS brake. This is first time I have noticed this new thing, the road was wet as well so maybe this contributed by way of the disc being dirty or something.

Anyhoo, I am somewhat at a loss as to how this can be sorted and welcome any suggestions or advice.

Many thanks!

 

Sounds like the caliper needs to be rebuilt, have they checked the pistons? May be some debris in there not allowing the pistons to function. Could be the noise is from mis-alignment of the pads. They changed the design of the caliper since 05, so I am not real familiar with them, if it were me I would take the caliper apart and thoroughly clean, flush the brake line and master cylinder and go from there.

 

Give them the benefit of the doubt and try the different pads...To me, the HD pads weren't worth a crap. I went with EBC and a lot of People go with Lyndall but i can attest to the HD pads nod performing....WHen i apply my front brake and then apply my rear i notice a great difference so i would think that i am getting beneficial performance from the rear....more than 10%...As for the knocking..if you are a wet road the ABS will activate with any slippage of the wheel...if you are only pressing the rear brake you may not feel this slippages as they are slight but the sensor will be able to pick them up.
Good luck dude, i hope they can figure out your problem.

 

That's a good idea, but the brake needs to be performing as good as it can with what it currently has in it! No point changing things until whatever problem it has is solved. The dealer needs to get his act together and get to the bottom of the problem.

 

That's why i said give them the benefit of the doubt since it's under warranty i would let them try whatever they can to remedy the issue...

 

This is weird to hear because thats exactly what my Buell did. The rear brake never worked well. I tried 3 different sets of pads, bled the brakes repeatedly, changed the brake fluid with different brands, forced the fluid threw with a syringe....every freakin' thing. I would be very interested in hearing what it is. Fortunately, Buell front brakes are outstanding, but having 1/3 of the expected stopping power in the rear...sucks a$$. And I race the buell at the track!!! Please keep us posted.

 

I think that the problem is in the caliper. Even with the worst pads made you would get more stopping power than it sounds like you have. I still have stock pads and if I put that much pressure on the brake my rear tire would lock up.
The dealer will try the cheapest things first but if it doesn't work and you make repeat visits it can cost them more in the long run. It would probably be better for them to cut their losses and just replace the caliper.

 

how many miles on the bike. go back to basics and make sure that there is no residue on the rotors from washing with certain cleaners. had that happen to mine after the dealer washed the bike after servicing. it took a week or so to before it was braking properly.

 

just got back from a 700 km trip. Last week I went to the dealer expecting to get a different set of pads to try out. Instead, the dealer replaced the whole caliper and new HD pads.
I have a rear brake at last! Seems the whole caliper was crap from the factory. To be honest it could be better with Non HD pads, but even so, it is waaaaaay better than what i had previously after about 100 kms and the pads had bedded in. I don't have to stand on the lever anymore, it just works the way it should!

 

Glad to hear you got it sorted out. Thanks for the update