Today I had complete front brake failure, with no warning. Bike has 7k miles on it and had been in for the pad recall last month and 2nd year service last week. Today, having travelled up by van to Glasgow yesterday for a tour of the highlands, 73 miles in I went for the brakes and had nothing. Fortunately it wasn’t in a heavy braking situation so was able to pump the lever and get some retardation so avoided anything nasty. However within a few more feet I had nothing again. I parked up and checked the run out on the discs, the offside was modulating significantly but nothing obvious as to why, movement laterally or back and forth. I’d had no brake pump suggesting a warped disc or anything similar beforehand. Anyhow, wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar - I’m getting the train home tomorrow to London and the bike will go back to Triumph once it’s recovered back. Not at all happy!
Yikes, Mark! Glad you’re no worse for the wear. But it must’ve been a puckering situation. Please keep us posted on what you find out. I ride a 2019 Speed Triple RS and just had my front brake pad recall done about three weeks ago. So far so good but your experience makes me a bit nervous.
Not significantly no. It’s fresh fluid from the service last week. I believe it’s an issue with the right hand disc, bobbins or carrier but it’s going to need a more thorough going over than we could do on the roadside.
Definitely would like to know what happened to cause that With no lose of fluid or visible damage it is concerning this has happened, as mentioned, air in the system is the most likely cause but how! I have a 2010 speed triple pre ABS and I wonder if during the service on yours if something wasn't tightened up properly or a banjo washer was missed, a pad put in wrong or the oil/dust seal was missing or damaged So glad it didn't happen at a more critical time when riding and you are safe
Thanks and yes I need to get to the bottom of it as the consequences could easily have been much worse. I’ll be calling the dealer today and getting it booked in. I will report back on findings
Just in case this is of any help, my son had a Daytona 675R (with similar Brembos) and was pushed over (relatively gently) by a careless motorist who was turning right, but then went left instead. The bike seemed OK but once on the road, it exhibited the same issue as yours. The lever appeared to work as normal, but would suddenly squeeze all the way to the grip...then it would be OK again. The cause turned out to be a slightly warped disc. I wondered whether any damage could have been inflicted without you knowing (theft attack or similar?) but I'd expect the symptoms would show immediately and not mid-ride. Glad to hear you're safe and sound - and hope you find out what has caused it without a fight.
Yes sounds exactly the same, however nothing had happened previously that could cause damage. As you say, we were mid ride and the bike hadn’t been left susceptible to anything beforehand. Very puzzling. It’s going back to the dealer on Wednesday the 9th, so...hopefully I’ll get to know more.
I’ve had exactly the same happen to me on a ZX6R many years ago. This was an 89 bike, so well before ABS. This was a very slightly warped disc that was pushing the pistons back into the caliper while travelling, requiring several pumps before pad to disc engagement. Very unnerving at the time and like explained by the OP, nothing looks untoward on a roadside inspection.
this doesn’t sound like a warped disc - I’ve never had one but would expect an initial soft lever as pistons move but then full function but with pulsing through the lever as the warped disc causes the pistons to reciprocate their movement. I suspect it’s no coincidence that you’ve just had it serviced - sounds like air in the system to me - not much else it could be . . Master cylinder activated by brake lever, pushes on fluid which actuates pistons which push on pads. If the brake lever moves in and brakes don’t work, either fluid is spurting out somewhere or air is being compressed - I can’t see any other possibilities but do keep us posted as I have a new 2920 RS still awaiting pad upgrade. Anyone know what is supposed to be wrong with the pads??????
Agree. No observable fluid loss? Service cock up. Have you looked in reservoir? On the positive side, you'll have a remarkably shiny face after all the flannel you are going to get.
Being a 2020 bike, it might not need the pad recall. It was found if the backing plates started to corrode, the pad material could come off.
I got the bike back at the weekend. To my eye, it does appear the offside front disc has a significant runout. How this could occur without me feeling anything beforehand remains a puzzle. I had a YZF750 with 6 pots callipers n the '90s, so I know how a warped disc feels in early stages. A short clip of how it is right now; I'll find out more once it's been pulled apart.
Well . . . only one that that could be and that IS a warped disc. I presume if you then pump the lever or maybe just release and reapply the brake, it's back working again?? It's strange that you don't feel it pulsing when you have the brakes applied but hey ho - there really isn't anything else that could be. Where's your centre stand when you need one!!!!?? It would be very useful to simply turn the wheel with the bike supported on a centre stand. Thanks for posting this . . . I will make a mental note to release and reapply if ever this happens to me, I might otherwise have simply panicked . . . probably still might!!!!!
