Brake failure

[jomamma1]

I have been driving my wife's 2011 RT to work and back now for a few weeks. It's only a 30 mile round trip and Spyder has only a little over 6K miles.Yesterday morning on the way to work, slowing for a railroad track, the display turned orange with a "Brake Failure" warning. I tested my brakes several times on the rest of trip to work and they seem to be fine. Fast forward to this morning: The same thing happened every time I came to a stop, and some of the time the red parking brake light would also come on. The brakes still feel fine and do a good job of stopping. The bike was in the shop for service and some recalls just a couple of weeks ago. Is this something I can check or is this a shop only type of thing?
Any ideas?

Joe in Modesto

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Check brake fluid levels.
If that us ok, then take it into the shop.

 

[DrewNJ]

The brake fluid level sensors are rediculously over sensitive. Slightly low and you get warning lights. Slightly high and brake fluid pukes out the caps and ruins your frame paint.
I went through two sets of sensors, caps and even a replacement reservoir with the same results. I ended up riding around with little rags wrapped around the caps..lol
I got tired of messing with the level and the lights and pulled the sensors from under the reservoir. This allows me to run lower levels in the reservoir without worrying about fluid leaking from the caps or the idiot lights.


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[jomamma1]

Thanks for the quick responses. While waiting to hear from someone, I actually did a search and found that this is a fairly common problem. I will try all the things suggested. Right now, taking it to dealer is not an option. Spyder is currently my only form of transportation for a week or so more.
Thanks again all.
Joe in Modesto

 

[ulflyer]

Joe, check for fault code: simultaneously push Mode,Set, Turn sig buttons and see what code comes on ur screen. If its C0049 or C1282 its possible your brake pads are getting a bit thin, probably the rear as it wears faster then the fronts. I drove mine for several thousand miles with many visits to shop before the simple fact of thin rear pads was discovered.

Out of curiosity, how many miles on it?

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: "Thin pads", will drop the fluid levels... It's something that you should be aware of and checked; as the miles are piled on! :thumbup:

 

[CyncySpyder]

I have been driving my wife's 2011 RT to work and back now for a few weeks. It's only a 30 mile round trip and Spyder has only a little over 6K miles.Yesterday morning on the way to work, slowing for a railroad track, the display turned orange with a "Brake Failure" warning. I tested my brakes several times on the rest of trip to work and they seem to be fine. Fast forward to this morning: The same thing happened every time I came to a stop, and some of the time the red parking brake light would also come on. The brakes still feel fine and do a good job of stopping. The bike was in the shop for service and some recalls just a couple of weeks ago. Is this something I can check or is this a shop only type of thing? Any ideas? Joe in Modesto

Joe, check for fault code: simultaneously push Mode,Set, Turn sig buttons and see what code comes on ur screen. If its C0049 or C1282 its possible your brake pads are getting a bit thin, probably the rear as it wears faster then the fronts. I drove mine for several thousand miles with many visits to shop before the simple fact of thin rear pads was discovered. Out of curiosity, how many miles on it?

Answer was in original post, a little over 6K miles

:agree: Check for codes like listed here & you most probably just need to top off the Brake Fluid Level. Even if it appears to be at the Max indication, you can still add a few drops, and believe it or not, that can make the difference. You mentioned it happend approaching a railroad track, and most have a slight incline to them, causing your Spyder to angle, and that is what most likely caused the Warning to be displayed. Probably just needs the fluid topped off & you should be good to go :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

As suggested: check fluid levels. Been there and done that with the brake failure screen.

 

[bruiser]

Also note brake fluid needs to be changed at 12,000 miles or two years.

 

[jomamma1]

Follow up

I listened to most of the advice here and checked my break fluid. It didn't seem at all low, but I added just a touch anyway. Problem cured.
Thanks again to all who responded.
Joe in Modesto

 

[Bob Denman]

Cool! :2thumbs: Glad to hear that it was a simple "fix".

 

[DrewNJ]

Good to hear! Just keep an eye on the caps/top of the reservoir and make sure nothing weeps out after riding.


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[gypsy_100]

I listened to most of the advice here and checked my break fluid. It didn't seem at all low, but I added just a touch anyway. Problem cured.
Thanks again to all who responded.
Joe in Modesto

Good to hear! Just keep an eye on the caps/top of the reservoir and make sure nothing weeps out after riding.

Make sure you put the caps on oriented so that the vent tube in the cap is aimed towards the back of the bike, that is, uphill. That little difference helps a lot in reducing any weeping out from the cap.