It is not normal for me
" I didn't like the long brake pedal travel before anything happened."

This feels as there is a air in the system.
I hope they gave you a good maintained S&S M3W.
When is the braking fluid changed. That should be at least ones in 2 years, better once a year.
Check with a simple brake fluid meter.

One ant does not know anything, 2000 are a super-intelligent brain. That's like this helpful forum.