01-25-2014, 11:35 PM
It is a very complicated system, with a secondary master cylinder that is prone to issues, or as it's known on the ST board as " the dreaded smc". On older models 2007 and older they were prone to corrosion and malfunction. In 2008 Honda changed the design. Honda recalled and replaced all the SMC's with a new design on the Goldwings, but the ST guys are still fighting for a little respect. It takes a genius mechanic to bleed the system properly. I had mine bled at a Honda dealer before heading out west and ended up spending 3 days including riding the Beartooth Highway and Chief Joesephs Pass with no rear brakes. On the way home I dropped it off at the dealer. It took them 5 tries to get it bled right. I haven't had any issues with my smc yet, (my issues were just from the bleeding process) at 37,000 miles, but it seems it will be inevitable.