NHTSA ID Number: 10200496
Manufacturer Communication Number: MC340121
TSB/Document Date: 2021-08-23
Summary
During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever
, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly longer lever travel
6/3/2021
34 01 21_Soft Rear Brake Pressure Point
SIB 34 01 21
Soft Rear Brake Pressure Point
2021-05-19
This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI 34 01 21 dated January 2021.
MODEL
Model
K50
K51
Model Description
R 1200/1250 GS
R 1200/1250 GSA
Production Date Range
Sept 1, 2012 – Aug 31, 2020
Sept 1, 2012 – Aug 31, 2020
SITUATION
During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly longer
lever travel.
Due to the ABS pump and model-specific conditions, small amounts of air may enter the control circuit of
the rear brake system successively. With continual usage, this air can be perceived by the rider as a “soft
pressure point” or “substantial lever travel” when only using the rear brake lever.
When using the front brake lever on bikes with partial integral brakes, the pressure for the rear brake is
generated by the ABS pump which bypasses the use of the rear control circuit (rear brake lever). Thus:
If there is air in the rear control circuit (between the rear lever brake master cylinder and the
ABS module), it would not affect the rear braking during partial integral braking.
If there is air in the rear wheel circuit (ABS pump to the rear caliper), the ABS pump can
compress this small amount of air to where there is no perceptible change for the rider.
Therefore, the soft brake pressure is only perceptible when using the rear brake lever.
PROCEDURE
Bleed the rear brake circuit manually in accordance with the repair instructions, then work through the
following service procedure:
“Brake system: soft pressure point”, calculate test plan
Perform the service procedure "Check brake pressure point"
Note: See attachment for detailed screenshots of the steps above.
Continue to bleed the rear brake circuit thoroughly, including bleeding of the ABS module using ISTA.
Perform this routine 2 times.
After the system is completely bled and no more air present, apply pressure to the rear brake circuit by
attaching weight of 22-33 lbs. (10 to 15 kg) to the rear brake lever for at least 12 hours.
Flush the brake system again (at least 2x the contents of the reservoir).
As a final step, retrofit the vehicle with "Harder brake pressure point on rear wheel brake" using ISTA
version 4.26.36 or greater.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Motorcycles and Scooters.
Copyright ©2021 MOTORRAD USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. All Rights Reserved
1/2
6/3/2021
Defect code
34 00 90 72 00
Labor Operation
12 00 014
+34 00 549
+34 99 000
+61 00 502
+61 00 510
34 01 21_Soft Rear Brake Pressure Point
Rear Brake System Incorrectly Bled
Carry out vehicle test with diagnostics
Change brake fluid at rear
Working time without brake specification
Check Software
Program vehicle control units (with Check
software)
Refer to AIR for FRU
Refer to AIR for FRU
Tech Punch time
Refer to AIR for FRU
Refer to AIR for FRU
FRUs includes all repair procedures to complete the task with allowance for necessary ancillary tasks (e.g.,
visual inspection, lubrication, cleaning parts etc.) and administrative tasks.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquires
Warranty inquires
Parts inquires
Contact the BMW Technical Support Group via TSARA
Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department
Submit an IDS ticket to the Motorrad Parts Department
Supporting Materials
picture_as_pdf 34 01 21 Rear Brake-Soft Pressure Point.pdf
picture_as_pdf Serviceprgram-Soft pressure point.pdf
Copyright ©2021 MOTORRAD USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. All Rights Reserved
2/2
Service Information Bulletin
Brakes
May 19, 2021
34 01 21
SOFT REAR BRAKE PRESSURE POINT
This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI 34 01 21 dated January 2021.
MODEL
Model
K50
K51
Model Description
R 1200/1250 GS
R 1200/1250 GSA
Production Date Range
Sept 1, 2012 – Aug 31, 2020
Sept 1, 2012 – Aug 31, 2020
SITUATION
During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly
longer lever travel.
Due to the ABS pump and model-specific conditions, small amounts of air may enter the control circuit
of the rear brake system successively. With continual usage, this air can be perceived by the rider as
a “soft pressure point” or “substantial lever travel” when only using the rear brake lever.
When using the front brake lever on bikes with partial integral brakes, the pressure for the rear brake
is generated by the ABS pump which bypasses the use of the rear control circuit (rear brake lever).
Thus:
• If there is air in the rear control circuit (between the rear lever brake master cylinder and the
ABS module), it would not affect the rear braking during partial integral braking.
• If there is air in the rear wheel circuit (ABS pump to the rear caliper), the ABS pump can
compress this small amount of air to where there is no perceptible change for the rider.
Therefore, the soft brake pressure is only perceptible when using the rear brake lever.
PROCEDURE
Bleed the rear brake circuit manually in accordance with the repair instructions, then work through the
following service procedure:
• “Brake system: soft pressure point”, calculate test plan
• Perform the service procedure "Check brake pressure point"
Note: See attachment for detailed screenshots of the steps above.
Continue to bleed the rear brake circuit thoroughly, including bleeding of the ABS module using ISTA.
Perform this routine 2 times.
After the system is completely bled and no more air present, apply pressure to the rear brake circuit
by attaching weight of 22-33 lbs. (10 to 15 kg) to the rear brake lever for at least 12 hours.
Flush the brake system again (at least 2x the contents of the reservoir).
As a final step, retrofit the vehicle with "Harder brake pressure point on rear wheel brake" using ISTA
version 4.26.36 or greater.
© 2020, BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third
parties for distribution. All pricing subject to change.
Page | 1
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Motorcycles and Scooters.
Defect code
34 00 90 72 00
Rear Brake System Incorrectly Bled
Labor Operation
12 00 014
+34 00 549
+34 99 000
+61 00 502
+61 00 510
Carry out vehicle test with diagnostics
Change brake fluid at rear
Working time without brake specification
Check Software
Program vehicle control units (with Check software)
Refer to AIR for FRU
Refer to AIR for FRU
Tech Punch time
Refer to AIR for FRU
Refer to AIR for FRU
FRUs includes all repair procedures to complete the task with allowance for necessary ancillary tasks
(e.g., visual inspection, lubrication, cleaning parts etc.) and administrative tasks.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquires
Warranty inquires
Parts inquires
Contact the BMW Technical Support Group via TSARA
Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department
Submit an IDS ticket to the Motorrad Parts Department
© 2020, BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third
parties for distribution. All pricing subject to change.
Page | 2
Check the brake pressure point
1. Identify motorcycle, start vehicle test
2. Select fault pattern
2.1. Select Main group [002 Chassis and suspension]
2
3
4
1
2. Select fault pattern
2.2. Select Main group [Antilock braking system ABS]
2. Select fault pattern
2.3.
Select the fault pattern [Brake system: soft pressure point], then push button “Add fault pattern”
1
2
3. Calculate test plan
Note: fault pattern selected
4. Operate serviceprogram
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.1. choose brake circuit
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.2. Notice instructions
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.3. Braking system at initial state: Evaluate pressure point
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.4. Braking system while ABS-inlet valve is actuated: Evaluate pressure point again
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.4. Braking system while ABS-inlet valve is actuated: Evaluate pressure point again
4. Operate serviceprogram
4.5. Summarize test result
-> terminate service program.
5. Reset fault pattern
2
3
1
6. Display test result and diagnostic code in the operations report
- Mixes well with conventional fluids
- Low-moisture formula provides excellent vapor lock...
- Ideal for hydraulic and disc brakes
- Provides an extra margin of safety in extreme braking...
- Mix of polyglycol ethers ensures hot brake-system operation...
- Excellent for ABS, disc and drum brake systems
- Delivers braking power when needed by avoiding a spongy...
- Both wet and dry boiling points exceed the minimum...
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TSB/Document ID: MC340121
Replacement Service Bulletin Number:
MFR Communication Date: 2021-05-19
MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:
Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NHTSA Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MFR Component System:
MFR Component Subsystem:
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