NHTSA Complaint #11510916 — 2015 DUCATI MONSTER

The rear brake on my Motorcycle failed before 500 miles. The dealer had to bleed extensively. It failed again a few months later. The second dealer bled it but refused to submit a warranty claim. It failed again and was bled on two occasions and warranty claims were submitted and it was rebled on both occasions with replacement of the master cylinder. The dealer kept the bike for several months checking the rear brake while in storage but not running, and the brake remained functional. When I picked the bike up and started riding it failed once again soon after I got it, demonstrating it to be heat related. It failed again and a fourth dealer bled it. I was informed that the bleeding procedure had been incorrect. Once again the brake failed within a few months. A fifth dealer bled the brakes when it was just out of warranty as a courtesy customer service. The problem recurred leaving me with a the same problem. I bled the brakes three times, each time restoring proper braking function. Each time it failed and each time the reservoir was full of dot 4 fluid, but the line was full of air. I bled the brake elevating the caliper upside down per manufacturer protocol. Approximately 18 months ago I rebled the brake using Castrol React SRF fluid with a dry boing point of 620 degrees. I also put heat shielding on the brake line where it was exposed to heat from the rear cylinder exhaust manifold. The brake has performed correctly since the modification. No warning lamp came on. The cause of the brake failure has been consistent on this model regardless of the brake line part number and is the result of inadequate shielding and the need for fluid with a higher boiling point. My bikes line will have to be replaced with the new part with a metal line around the exhaust and the heat shielding replaced due to heat stress. Loss of any braking function is a serious safety risk.