On my S2R and the HM, the rear brakes were almost worthless until properly bled. The caliper location (under the axle) line routing and bleeder location conspire to create big air pockets that cannot be bled out... unless you unbolt the caliper, and elevate it to get the bleeder as the high point back there. Had to insert a piece of steel to mimic the rotor into the caliper to keep the pads/pistons from popping out while bleeding. They still feel only about 50% as effective as my wife's Buell lightning.
thanks for the tip...i'll have to try that out soon; the rear brake on the monster is pretty weak...i don't think it would even lock up in gravel. but i've bled a couple different times now and haven't had any luck. i'll try that method and see how i fare. if that doesn't work to increase the power, i may try some different pads.
and yes, i do use the rear brake. i like it...it's one more tool to have handy i think. it helps out quite a bit, especially when you're riding in rain and other situations where you don't want to be on the front brake, like in a corner. so i, for one, will continue my quest for a rear brake with more power.
