did they hell! They didnt want to know. I traded mine in for a new non ABS blade. I didnt buy the ABS one new though. I think if you purchased new from Honda you may have more chance. I know some people have managed this.
I've just come back to this thread after a year of not viewing it and am amazed at what I'm reading. My 2010 C-ABS model had the fault and it could be replicated at will using the known method. About 9 months ago, my dealer called me in after having logged this problem with them and told me they had a new ABS ECU to fit. The new ECU is fitted as the result of a Service Bulletin instructing dealers to change the faulty part if owners complain of this problem. I've been riding the bike for 9 months plus since the new ECU was fitted and I don't suffer with any problems at all. I don't get the flat battery issue when parking the bike up and the ABS works just fine. The fix is out there....it will require a new ECU and Honda UK know all about it. You shouldn't be experiencing any problems. One thing I will say....if trickling along in traffic and making small brake inputs to the front brake, the biting point of the lever does change....it tends to move slowly back towards the bar, but once the lever is released, it resets to its original bite position...this is a function of the system and you never lose braking at any point, neither is the effectiveness of the brakes affected. In fact, the Fireblade has the best brakes of any big super bike I've ever ridden.....you mash down on those brakes and believe me the bike is hauled to a stop at an incredible rate....it's quite staggering in fact. Hope this helps
I am well aware of this fix, but the fact of the matter was that Honda wouldn't do anything other than bleed the system. Having had the brake lever pull into the bar twice when trying to stop i felt i couldn't trust the system. This is old news now. I love the blade and did not want any other bike. It was my personal choice was to buy a non ABS blade as i had no confidence in the ABS system. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the system at all, but Honda's after sales did leave a very bad taste in my mouth.
Hi Steve Yes, I'm sure it did and if mine hadn't been sorted out pronto then I'd of felt exactly the same way. My bike has just had its first annual service last week and has only done 2300 miles from new. I asked the service dept to have a good look at the braking system as I told them that the front brake lever creeps back when gently pulling the lever to keep balance in slow moving traffic. (walking pace). They tested it and found no fault, just to be sure, but my dealer is keeping this issue logged on my file, just in case it does come back to haunt me once the warranty expires, but to the best of my experience with it, I honestly believe the new ABS ECU fixed the problem once and for all. I do believe that Honda won't recall the bikes to have them changed unless owners report a problem, this I believe is because the cost of the replacement ECU is in the region of £400 plus labour costs....making it an expensive recall if they do each and every bike...but I may be wrong, a good Honda service centre should replace them in accordance with the service Bulletin when the bikes come in on their service schedule. I was told by my dealer that one owner had his Fireblade replaced by Honda because it took Honda themselves over 8 hours to bleed the braking system to try and rectify this fault....but I believe this was before the new ECU came out! In the early days of this problem, I don't think Honda themselves really knew what the problem was until the factory figured it out!
I still find it hard to believe that Honda haven't issued a recall on this issue - it is the braking system after all! I am more than happy with my new bike and it will be a long time before i buy another bike with ABS, purely because the system has put doubts in my own mind.
I know, I feel they should have all been recalled as well, but in Honda's view, there is no risk of the brakes failing....this is because even though they recognise there have been cases of the front lever moving back to the bar.....if the rear brake is mashed down hard, then the system automatically takes over and applies maximum front braking on your behalf without the need for the riders input....so the brakes still work to their maximum potential at all times! That though, in my opinion, was not a satisfactory solution, more of a brush off because they didn't know exactly what was wrong initially!
Hmm i am going to go to my dealer tomoz and find out the part number on the modded one then check mine!!
Come on Bats Spill the beans. I have a 2011 abs and would like to know if its ok or if I need to rag Marshalls about them replacing mine.
Right ive been in today and it looks like no 2011 model has the revised ECU! Basically i went to the parts lad ive been dealing with him a bit and told him my prob! To which he replyed we had one in at Preston the other day for same fault and they bled brakes it take 5 hours etc!! To which i reply the revised ECU is the fix and i want it so basically they are phoning HondaUK tomoz then getting back to me The bit i find SHOCKING is non of the sales staff that sell the bikes no about this AND if they do then its hidden well NOT GOOD IN MY EYES!! Well report back once i get my phone call tomoz!!
Can you put the part number up on here for us? I'd like to check it against my revised ECU....make sure it's the same. It's a bastard to get at though....it's under the rear seat lock bracing assembly in the tail section I think? Cheers
Yeah man its not to bad to get at really rear cowl 4 bolts bit of under tray movage and unplug haha!! Once i get i shall let ya know!!
This is the exact reason I changed my ABS bike. I don't like bang on about it because people on here have ABS bikes and are very happy with them. Bats, you are experiencing the exact same scenario I went through and I decided I just didn't trust Honda on this issue. This issue IS well documented and MUST be known to Honda are their outlets. They are playing a very dangerous game with this in my opinion.
Honda UK are well aware of this issue. Press them for a replacement ECU and they will fix it! I'm 100% confident that this is an inherent problem with every ABS bike from 09-11. Rob.
Looking forward to your update Bats,if mine needs changing I will force Marshalls to do it or will write to the DP and the local paper stating that he has refused to fix a known safety critical fault and as such hold him personally responsible. Not sure he will want to risk the bad press or a possible corporate manslaughter charge. In my eyes that could be what’s at stake. Very disappointed that Honda are being more responsible and doing more to resolve this issue.
Quick question on this subject. Has anyone spoken direct to Honda Uk customer Relations Team 01753 590510 and if so have they wrote back yet.?.
I spoke to them while i was trying to resolve my issues of oil burning and ABS fault. They agreed for the pistons rings to be changed, but all they would do with the brakes is go down the bleeding route. I quoted them the ECU fix but they were not interested. I told them I did not want the bike any more as i did not trust the system and I was going to buy a brand new non ABS blade. As a loyal customer I asked if they would throw in the sport pack - It was met with a resounding no. My dealer (Pidcocks of Long Eaton) phoned them to fight my case but they just were not interested. If there was another non Honda I liked as much as the blade, I would have purchased that instead - but there wasn't and I did. Bottom line is that I am very happy with my new bike and that's the end of it. As I have said before, it has cast Honda in a totally different light to me. They really need to sort these issues. If you search 1000rr.net, you will find others with this issue. Some who purchased new ABS bikes have had them changed to non ABS free of charge (big deal Honda as the non ABS is £700 cheaper) if they kick up enough stink. One of the .net members had the issue "resolved" by Honda, but had to sign a NDA. He does however point people in the right direction of the outcome via other threads - its worth a read. I believe this is the thread - http://www.1000rr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69868 Its long, but skip through and you get the idea.
