Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: rtarp1 on April 09, 2013, 08:54:32 AM

Title: doe
Post by: rtarp1 on April 09, 2013, 08:54:32 AM
boo

Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Conrad on April 09, 2013, 09:00:45 AM
Wow, that stinks! I'm glad to hear that it wasn't worse.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 09, 2013, 09:07:07 AM
Glad you're ok as well.  Have you done any work to the brake system or changed a tire before this happened?  If not, you need to go to a Kwak dealer and have them check it out.  With a low mileage bike like that, nothing should have happened to the brake system.  If a tire was changed, it's possible that the rotor or rotor carrier was warped in the process.  At least that's what it sounds like on the surface.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Pokey on April 09, 2013, 09:13:49 AM
Serious air in the system?
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: maxtog on April 09, 2013, 03:36:15 PM
This is awful.  Sorry it happened, but really glad you are OK.

I agree with Jim.  It is highly likely the problem was one introduced by some type of maintenance.  I doubt it was just a brake failure.  But with only 5k miles, there should be no maintenance required at all yet, that would touch the brakes.

There is more to this story....
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Scaffolder on April 09, 2013, 04:25:35 PM
That's scary! Glad you are ok. I'd bring it to the dealer and let them tell you what happened.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: stevewfl on April 09, 2013, 06:24:13 PM
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/eek.gif)

Glad you're OK!
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 10, 2013, 07:57:07 AM
Yep, you would have noticed it right away.  So no work done on the bike and this happens out of the blue?
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Riverszzr on April 10, 2013, 08:04:49 AM
 Foul Play? Tip over that got air in the system? tank slapper?

Was the bike left sitting unattended somewhere and then the first time you applied them you found no brakes?
 or were you riding and they were working fine and then suddenly they weren't?
or was the bike tipped over that could have gotten air in them?
or, or, or....
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Rhino on April 10, 2013, 09:10:14 AM
was out riding during the day , parked the bike for a few hours and started noticing it then.   weird.

No leaks? No brake fluid weeping somewhere? Very weird.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Pokey on April 10, 2013, 09:26:33 AM
None of this makes any sense, you either have brake lever or you don't, going from none to some or some to all makes no sense. There has to be a leak somewhere, or has to be massive air in your system.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Boomer on April 10, 2013, 09:36:23 AM
I have seen a brake pad fall out before, or else the friction material separate and fall out.
This can cause instant loss of brake, but once pumped up the feel comes back.
If the whole pad has dropped then the piston gets knocked back quite far so it could be that.
Could also be a failure in the ABS unit. The 2010- ones are more complex with the linked brakes.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 10, 2013, 09:47:20 AM
Sounds like to me, based on the OP's response that it's a mfg defect that just showed up.  Dealer material for sure here.  Can't wait to find out what it is.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: stewart on April 10, 2013, 09:53:10 AM
Curious on root cause, so I can add it to the pre-flight check.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: maxtog on April 10, 2013, 03:49:41 PM
Could also be a failure in the ABS unit. The 2010- ones are more complex with the linked brakes.

Yeah, but I have never seen a single post about an ABS failure, much less a brake failure.

And if there was no maint and there is no leak, and no pad problems, then it is possible it could be tampering by a third party (vandals?).  Strange strange strange.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 10, 2013, 04:36:58 PM
My bets are with space aliens....
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Son of Pappy on April 10, 2013, 05:19:16 PM
Fresh fob batteries?
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: connie1 on April 10, 2013, 06:21:54 PM
Fresh fob batteries?


That's probably it.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: robbie on April 10, 2013, 06:25:07 PM
I saw something very similar happen on a brand new Yami FZ6R. It would randomly drop the lever to the handle. One minute it would be fine and the next no brake. At first I thought there was air in the system but we bled it and no air. Turned out to be a bad master cylinder that would randomly bypass so you had no hydronic pressure. There were no leaks or fluid loss it was bypassing internally. This sounds to my like what's happening here but in my case it showed up within 100 miles of new.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: jamiemac on April 10, 2013, 10:00:16 PM
A bypassing master cylinder is My guess.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: robbie on April 11, 2013, 08:06:25 AM
lol MY kipass WAS FLASHING LOW BATTERY WARNING THAT DAY!!!
Oh, well that explains it. Why didn't you say so  ;)
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: stevewfl on April 11, 2013, 08:28:12 AM
lol MY kipass WAS FLASHING LOW BATTERY WARNING THAT DAY!!!

I change my FOB bat before anything happens.  The mad pow-ah of KiPass protects.

My ignition switch has been funny for the last 10,000 miles or so. I have to tap the FOB knob then turn.  It has not broken or left me stranded yet and I've trusted it, although one day I should maybe get it looked at by the warranty man. But with KiPass it just doesn't matter!
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: sherob on April 11, 2013, 08:29:58 AM
That reminds me... need to replace my battery.  Thanks!  8)
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Pokey on April 11, 2013, 09:52:13 AM
I change my FOB bat before anything happens.  The mad pow-ah of KiPass protects.

My ignition switch has been funny for the last 10,000 miles or so. I have to tap the FOB knob then turn.  It has not broken or left me stranded yet and I've trusted it, although one day I should maybe get it looked at by the warranty man. But with KiPass it just doesn't matter!


I press and continue to "hold down" on knob until it clicks, is that how you do it?
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: McJunkie on April 11, 2013, 04:20:05 PM
If he has to pump it up every time, there has to be air in it. How it got there without a leak is the mystery.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 12, 2013, 04:26:44 AM
I'm thinking master cylinder right now if there isn't a leak somewhere.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Son of Pappy on April 12, 2013, 03:00:06 PM
I would also check for an obviously warped rotor or bent carrier.  The excess wobble would press the pads into the caliper, resulting in needing additional pumping.  (As BDF would say, "Easy fellas")
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: stevewfl on April 12, 2013, 03:04:39 PM

I press and continue to "hold down" on knob until it clicks, is that how you do it?

No, for the last 10,000 miles I've had to smack it with the palm of my hand.  Then it allows me to proceed as normal.

Jodi, my precious friend that works the Kawi service counter, reminded me yet again the parts are in.  I told her no worries, the power of the FOB won't allow it to fail me  8)

Appointment Monday to take it in.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Pokey on April 12, 2013, 07:43:07 PM
No, for the last 10,000 miles I've had to smack it with the palm of my hand.  Then it allows me to proceed as normal.

Jodi, my precious friend that works the Kawi service counter, reminded me yet again the parts are in.  I told her no worries, the power of the FOB won't allow it to fail me  8)

Appointment Monday to take it in.


The way that I do it seems to work flawlessly, I have never seen it even remotely try to not function correctly.
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: motocopter on April 12, 2013, 07:49:14 PM
Back on topic...

Sounds like the exact same incident that happened to my rear brake. I previously posted about it in the thread linked below. I tee-totally believe there is something going on. See my post on page one if you are interested. I've sent an IM to the OP in hopes of actually helping him in some form.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=12984.msg159352#msg159352 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=12984.msg159352#msg159352)
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: C1xRider on April 13, 2013, 05:34:04 PM
My buddy stopped by on his Yamaha Venture a few weeks ago, and complained that his rear brake pedal bottomed out when he stepped on it a few miles before reaching my house.  I investigated it for him, and found the cause...

Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: robbie on April 13, 2013, 06:38:05 PM
My buddy stopped by on his Yamaha Venture a few weeks ago, and complained that his rear brake pedal bottomed out when he stepped on it a few miles before reaching my house.  I investigated it for him, and found the cause...
WOW!!
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: ZG on April 13, 2013, 07:50:04 PM
My buddy stopped by on his Yamaha Venture a few weeks ago, and complained that his rear brake pedal bottomed out when he stepped on it a few miles before reaching my house.  I investigated it for him, and found the cause...

 :o
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: jamiemac on April 13, 2013, 08:17:28 PM
My buddy stopped by on his Yamaha Venture a few weeks ago, and complained that his rear brake pedal bottomed out when he stepped on it a few miles before reaching my house.  I investigated it for him, and found the cause...
That'll do it every time. LOL
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 13, 2013, 08:32:59 PM
Can't put my finger on it but something just doesn't look right with that Yammy.. :o ::)
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Rhino on April 14, 2013, 09:42:33 AM
My buddy stopped by on his Yamaha Venture a few weeks ago, and complained that his rear brake pedal bottomed out when he stepped on it a few miles before reaching my house.  I investigated it for him, and found the cause...

I hate it when THAT happens!
Title: Re: Brake failure!!! on 2011 c14
Post by: Son of Pappy on April 14, 2013, 10:40:43 AM
rtarp, update?  I know, usual off topic stuff, but still looking for a cause/solution.  Have you checked for visual runout yet?
Title: Re: Break failure on 2011 Concours resolution.
Post by: Tarheelbob on April 26, 2013, 11:20:50 AM
Wow.

Nice response by Kawasaki. Glad its resolved. Any idea whether it was in there form the beginning, or something picked up on the road along the way?
Title: Re: Break failure on 2011 Concours resolution.
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 26, 2013, 12:11:39 PM
Thanks for the update.  It's always good to hear the final resolutions on problems.
Title: Re: Break failure on 2011 Concours resolution.
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 27, 2013, 09:16:05 AM
I'd still report it to the Feds...