Rocket Rear Brake Issue

Discussion in 'America, Speedmaster & Rocket' started by David Downes, Jun 16, 2020.

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  1. David Downes

    David Downes Well-Known Member

    Sep 4, 2016
    199
    93
    Essex
    #1 David Downes, Jun 16, 2020
    How are people finding their rear brake on the Rocket?

    I had a bit of a squeaky bum moment a couple weeks back, someone pulled out on me and I hit the brakes but couldn't slow down in time. I had to make the snap decision to give up on brakes, use the throttle instead, and get around him. Fortunately the driver had realised their mistake and I had enough room to get by them.

    It shook me a little, to say the least.

    I figured it was likely rider error, and that perhaps the bike's engine is slightly too torquey for its own good. I presumed that I had panicked, not entirely let off the throttle, and the engine was working against the brakes. So I thought to test out my brakes in a more controlled, industrial estate, setting. The front brakes are fine ... better then fine, they're good. The rear brakes however, shocking. Going around 30mph, and performing an emergency stop using only the rear brakes, and stamping on them as hard as I could, the bike very slowly started coming to a stop, it was really bad.

    So anyway, I just put it down to there only being a single rotor on the rear, and a smaller caliper than the front, and that I'd need to be aware that the rear brakes are crap. But today, I took the bike in to have something different looked at (https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/is-this-hanging-off.23543/) and they told me that my rear brakes are in fact, fucked.

    Apparently this is a 'thing' on the new rockets. Air gets into the rear brake lines somehow, and makes them almost useless. Rumour has it that some people are suggesting this is to do with the ABS ... but another rumour goes that that's not right, and actually, it's that the rear reservoir is too close to the engine, and fluid is boiling. This might also explain why on my bike the brake fluid was apparently black, after only 800 miles.

    So ... how are your rear brakes on your Rocket?
     
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  2. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
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    #2 Red Thunder, Jun 16, 2020
    Well that is quite shocking to say the least, I am very glad you were able to avoid contact and saved your bike and yourself
    My rear brake on the Speed Triple is always weak when I first use it in a while, so I use it a bit more when stopping to clean off any grease/road muck off the pads and it improves greatly (I have deep cleaned the caliper and has no leaks)

    Maybe it is the same but I too have noticed the oil needs changing more frequently than the front as it gets darker (burnt) quicker.

    My neighbour took the new R3 GT for a test ride over the weekend just gone and loved the bike, so I am suggesting he looks on this forum for any potential issues, this is one to be aware of

    Hopefully Triumph sort this for you soon and it isn't a design flaw requiring warranty claims
     
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  3. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    #3 dilligaf, Jun 16, 2020
    :confused:Too early to say with my bike as so far I’ve only managed 300 and odd miles :(
    Been very impressed with the back brake so far :)
    I’m actually in my garage at the moment and can see the fluid in the rear brake reservoir is like new :)
    I’ll be keeping an eye on it though :confused:
     
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  4. martinm

    martinm Member

    Mar 24, 2018
    27
    18
    leicester
    #4 martinm, Jun 16, 2020
    ducati xdiavels do it too.had to bleed mine at least once a year. a real pain to do as the bleed nipple was at the bottom of the caliper and not at the top where the air was :(.dont know what causes it but wouldnt suspect boiling of the fluid ?
     
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  5. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,488
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    #5 Helmut Visor, Jun 28, 2020
    Welcome to the world of Aprilia, renowned for a rubbish rear brake.
     
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  6. David Downes

    David Downes Well-Known Member

    Sep 4, 2016
    199
    93
    Essex
    #6 David Downes, Sep 17, 2020
    The bike has gone back in today because the rear brake is basically inoperative. I can literally take my hand off the throttle at 30mph, press it all the way down, and I'd say the bike slows maybe 10% faster than engine braking :-/

    One interesting thing, is that if I pump the brakes, after the second or maybe 3rd press, then they start to work. From a quick google, it seems air in the lines is the most common reason for this is air in the system. But it could also be because of water getting into the fluid somehow, a failing master cylinder, or a broken bleed valve.

    I believe the dealer is putting in some high temp brake fluid, and they've admitted that I'm something of a guinea pig for it, but Triumph have told them that if they want to try that, then go ahead. We'll see.
     
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  7. sandeep ghosh

    sandeep ghosh New Member

    Dec 2, 2016
    19
    3
    Sevenoaks, Kent
    #7 sandeep ghosh, Sep 18, 2020
    David, rear brake issue is being discussed in the facebook forum of Rocket3. I am sure you are following them. The issue is supposedly more in GT (forward peg) than mid peg. I have a TFC and I had no issues so far (1500 miles). A few with mid peg have reported fading rear brake. I am watching the discussions with interest.
     
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  8. Monty dog

    Monty dog New Member

    Nov 8, 2020
    0
    1
    England
    #8 Monty dog, Nov 8, 2020
    My 6 month old rocket gt just gone to dealer as back brake just full of air. Pedal goes to bottom but will pump up. 2500 miles and all fine when last rode 3 weeks ago. Got it out of garage yesterday and no rear brake! I await dealer fix. They may just bleed but I’m not going to accept that response how the heck did it suddenly get full of air as no loss of fluid
     
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  9. David Downes

    David Downes Well-Known Member

    Sep 4, 2016
    199
    93
    Essex
    #9 David Downes, Nov 8, 2020
    Mine’s got half as many miles, and has been bled twice. And is already fading now for the third time.

    Good luck with yours, let me know what (if anything) they do beyond bleeding the brakes. My dealer replaced the fluid with some superior stuff in the hope that’d help, and it has maybe a bit, but obviously not solved it.

    I also don’t understand how air gets in without fluid coming out. I also don’t get why pumping helps ... surely you’d just be compressing the same air over and over. Not only that, but it’s ALWAYS just 1 pump, no braking, 2nd pump, good braking. Weird.
     
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  10. stollydriver

    stollydriver Elite Member

    Apr 25, 2015
    2,073
    800
    north wales
    #10 stollydriver, Nov 8, 2020
    That sounds more like recuperating seal in the master. Similar things happen on Vauxhall vivaro clutch masters.
     
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  11. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,795
    743
    Durham
    #11 Rspete, Nov 8, 2020
    Mines suffered from that and it's down to the position of the master cylinder to the engine, the rear braking hose goes under the bike aswell (shit design) they recon to put race fluid in, as it has a higher boiling point.
     
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  12. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,795
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    #12 Rspete, Nov 8, 2020
    Mines suffered from that and it's down to the position of the master cylinder to the engine, the rear braking braided hose line goes under the bike aswell (shit design) they recon to put race fluid in, as it has a higher boiling point.
     
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  13. stollydriver

    stollydriver Elite Member

    Apr 25, 2015
    2,073
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    #13 stollydriver, Nov 8, 2020
    I remember my old Range Rover brakes failed due to brake fluid boil. Once cooled they were fine but had to replenish oil due to moisture from boil. Oh the fun....
     
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  14. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,795
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    #14 Rspete, Nov 8, 2020
    The rear brake never recovers, you need to bleed the system fully but I do wonder what damage boiling fluid is doing to the abs unit. :no_mouth:
    Has yours not suffered from this stolly?
     
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  15. stollydriver

    stollydriver Elite Member

    Apr 25, 2015
    2,073
    800
    north wales
    #15 stollydriver, Nov 8, 2020
    Not done enough miles - bloomin covid
     
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  16. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,795
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    Durham
    #16 Rspete, Nov 8, 2020
    Mine was on 1400 miles when that fault popped up.
     
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  17. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    #17 dilligaf, Nov 8, 2020
    I told you lot to get a Tiger :)
    But ya wouldn’t listen :joy::p
     
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  18. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,795
    743
    Durham
    #18 Rspete, Nov 8, 2020
    I've had enough of them buddy, it's either a ccm or a indian ftr for me next.
    Or a lexmoto or sinnis something with better reliability. :joy::joy:
     
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  19. Plattler

    Plattler New Member

    Oct 10, 2020
    1
    3
    Orlando, FL USA
    #19 Plattler, Nov 15, 2020
    I am talking to several guys on FB. Many new/same issues appearing.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/783...1118068098608799/?comment_id=1118132671935675
    This is dangerous.
    We need to stick together and force Triumph to do something.
    I am in the US, wrote the headquarters an email.
    If no, or stupid answer, I WILL complain to the US DMV.
    DMV, with form 84901 Complaint Affidavit

    UK as well: https://www.gov.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0LD-hNsweuE1ogC1A833ITwn5kuiTq5CXzjDirWCYAHLYxVSHpj0tzO5Y
    We each/all need to keep notes, dates, facts, actions, statements from dealers (in writing), repair attempts done etc.
    Appear as a united group, they will do some recall actions and SAVE LIFES!!!!
    Brakes are nothing to joke about!!!!!
    If there are any legal experts beyond us, it would be great to get some advise

    Lets get a list of "victims" together, we need to stick together,WORLDWIDE.
     
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  20. Stephen Trafford

    Stephen Trafford New Member

    Dec 11, 2020
    2
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    grimsby
    #20 Stephen Trafford, Dec 11, 2020
     
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