I had a terrible accident last weekend when my rear brake failed as I was approaching a hairpin bend. Smashed the bike, my wife and myself against the hill cuttings by the road side( was going down hill) what could be the possible cause of this failure? Any remedial suggestion or is it the nature of Vmax (1991 model)that the brake fail when it got heated up due to frequent usage when decending down hills. Thanks

Let me first say I'm extremely sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you and your wife were not severely injured.

I have not heard of a rear brake failure before on any year V-Max. I can tell you however that using the rear brake only, on any motorcycle is not a reliable way to reduce speed. This is particularly true when riding two up with the extra weight working against you - and even more so when going downhill. When encountering a long downhill stretch downshifting to a lower gear will enable engine braking to help slow the bike. The front brakes provide up to 90% of a motorcycles stopping power. They will also transfer weight to the front tire on a hill providing you with maximum traction.

I'm not attempting to give you a riding lesson here, I have no idea how experienced you are as a rider.

I hope that things work out for your wife, yourself, and the bike, and that you are back to riding when able.

Best Regards,
Mark

+1

Very well put Mark!

Rick

We were bruised badly ,warded overnight but after a few X-rays the doctor was satisfied that things were ok. (still limping though) There were dents and deep scratches to the bike the worst - is the clutch cover, almost 2 inches gone leaving the rubber gasket dangling. Thanks Mark

First off, I'm glad your not hurt too much. Bikes can be repaired pr replaced

Second - what Mark said !!

Third - How old was the Brake Fluid ? These Fluids absorb Water and when this Mixture gets boiling hot, it will loose all Ability to transfer hydraulic Pressure from the Master to the Brake Caliper. There goes any Braking Force with it... The Pedal will just fall down without any Action at the Caliper.

Glad you are ok!

Same thoughts on the rear. Any motorcycle rear brake will overheat and loose 95% of its braking power when used incorrectly. Rear brakes are supplemental to the front brakes and will not provide consistent braking forces during downhill operation, especially two up.

The rear brake is only there to support the front brakes and to squat the bike during hard deceleration - to reduce the amount of front dive on certain bikes. 70+% of the braking power of most motorcycles come from the front brakes. Late model super bikes achieve up to 100% of their stopping power from the front brakes.

A good place to practice these braking techniques are motorcycle safety classes. Even after years of riding, the provide the latest in techniques and help you ride safe.

Hope this helps!

My 94 has done it to me 3 times. Once hauling azz down Hwy 74 I was coming up to a fairly sharp turn after a long straight and When I went for the brakes... ZERO rear! the pedal went to the stop. Fortunately I was (as these guys have told you) I was only counting on about 90% of my braking to come from the rear. But, It scared the badgeesis out of me. I pumped the pedal for about a minute and nothing still. but after a few more turns there they were again. Back up to the top of the pedal. I went home and bled them but got no air from them. And the fluid was very recently changed and was perfectly clean. The second time was about 10 minutes into Wild Wild West Ride number 1. We all flew up Hwy 62 and at the top as we entered Morongo Valley Town I went to slow down and zero rear. within 5 minutes they were back. But not from pumping them. I did that again but got no results. They just come back when they feel like it. (definitely NOT acceptable!!!) And then it happened again another time on Hwy 74. Its an absolutely random thing and will not reproduce the problem on demand. A very scary and dangerous issue. Thank goodness I use it as a secondary stopping source. I'm sorry about your get off and I'm glad you were not seriously injured.
SDPEARLY

Wow,so sorry to hear about this,I have not heard of any problems related to failure with the brakes on the first gen Max,I hope you and your wife heal quick! When the time comes to fix the bike back up do a close inspection on the brake system and report back.
Good luck

Glad your OK and another person who agrees with Mark's post.

First of all, glad to know that beside everything, you and your wife had no severe injuries ! Wish you a quick recovery!

Now, about the problem that caused your accident, if there was a break failure, I dont advice you to take it lightly.

Failures cannot be seen as randoom! You should make a fully inspection on your rear break. Dismount the all circuit, change all gaskets, o'rings, etc, check and wash the brake tubes with alcool. Then assemble everything with new oil and be sure it's well bleeded.

Use only dot 4!
Some people think that dot 5 is better, but almost all market brake systems dont deal well with dot 5 (this is made for racing breaks with special specs).

Safe recovery and hope you both are back on wheels soon !