I have been reading some other threads on here for newer ABS models, generally post 2016, and I don't feel they are having the same experience as myself, so I was wondering if I could ask for some feedback. I was out riding a few days ago, and as I approached a roundabout, I noticed my breaks, which are usually sharp, went a lot softer (I had to pull the handle in a lot more) and it's a sudden jolt of a change. As I came off the roundabout, I saw the ABS light was flashing. I pulled in, stopped the bike, turned it of, waiting a moment and started it again - no flashing light. I carry on for a few more miles, and about to turn right, and exactly the same thing happens again. My friend with me, he's aware that this can be, especially the spongy breaks, is due to air in the callipers. So he bleeds one side (there was air) at the road (we forget to do the other one like lemons so that needs doing!) and I try it again - no warning light, and breaks work fantastic for the rest of the days riding. We then stop to eat, stay there for a few hours, and then head home, and on the way back, the ABS light starts flashing again and the breaks have lost their sharpness again. I have now booked it in with a dealership to look at, and they are suggesting it could be the ABS pump, but can't look at it until 2nd week of August. I have been told my this garage and another one that is the likely cause, I am sure they will check, but apparently that ABS pump is now only available second hand on ebay as Honda has stopped making it (which I think is annoying considering the bike is not that old and I believe was used in Fireblades until 2016). Would the ABS light come on if there were air in the break lines or callipers? Would the ABS pump failure cause air to get into the system? Or could there be another option? Could it be seals letting air in that makes the ABS light come on and the breaks lose their sharpness? As you can probably tell I'm not very technical. I can ride, but not great at the mechanics. Any thoughts on whether air in the breaks could cause the ABS fault light to come on or could the pump let air into the system? Or something else? Thank you.
Sounds like you have some air in the system, i would personally bleed the air from the master cylinder, i had similar on my RR-R when i installed Hel braided lines/Calipers and Master Cylinder. Once i bled it correctly no more issues
Start with the rear brake, then furthest away from the master cylinder fron, finally the nearest. Use the old fashioned two person bleeding method, closing the bleed nipple after every squeeze of the lever to minimise any air going back in, and keep the master cylinder topped up. Use the best new fluid you can find, and look for the fresh fluid to come out of every nipple. HTH.
