My 09 (ABS) is new, and I spent the whole day yesterday riding to break it in. The rear brake is soft on the bike. I mean, if I jab it hard enough, it will lock the rear tire, but it seems to take a serious amount of input to get it to respond.
I wasn't too worried about it till when I got home last night and I saw a serious amount of brake pad debris on the rear wheel. I wouldn't call it dust, it is heavier than that, like you sprinkled the rear wheel with black pepper.
Should I be concerned? I plan on taking the rear caliper off as I am suspect that one pistons are hung up.
My bike is one of those that sat and sat for 3 years, so I wouldn't be surprised if it is because it sat so long, but I wondered if anyone else might of had the same thing happen?
You were able to get the rear tire to lock up? Or do you mean that you were able to activate the ABS?
I don't know what to say about all the brake dust but if the rear feels soft perhaps a brake fluid flush is in order? It's easy enough to do and if the bike has been sitting for 3 years with the same fluid in it it's time anyways.
A lot of guys have complained about the 'wooden' or 'soft' feel of the rear brake. I don't agree. While it's not the best rear brake I've ever felt, it's far from the worst either.