1150GSA servo ABS "features"

[PaulTL]

A couple of questions from a GS newbie.

Have an '03 GS Adventure (single spark) with servo ABS.

1. The front brake seems excessively "grabby" - in that if I squeeze gently, it is progressive up to a point. Then the brakes seem to go from being on gently to on pretty damn hard in a tiny pressure change at the front brake lever. Not a problem at speed, but *really* not nice at slow speed (filtering / traffic / manouvering etc.).

Is this a feature of the servo ABS system, or does something need adjusting / bleeding?

2. The "squeeeeeeeeeeee" noise as you hold the brakes on. Comedy value wore off the first time I stopped on a hill. Can anything be done to shut it up a bit (that doesn't involve ripping out the ABS)? Is it related to #1 (i.e. something needs adjusting / bleeding).

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

1) This is normal, you'll get used to it.

2) This is normal, you'll get used to it......... however if you use the rear brake only, the noise will stop.

 

[roddy]

1) I found upto about 25-30 mph the rear brake is all you need, so you don't get that grabby feeling, also maybe worth giving the brakes a good clean so the piston can move freely,

2) wot ELIMINATOR said, the rear brake servo stops whining when the brake pressure is built up to a point and while your foot is steady on the rear brake pedal

 

[ahutcheon]

2) wot ELIMINATOR said, the rear brake servo stops whining when the brake pressure is built up to a point and while your foot is steady on the rear brake pedal

Be aware that somewhere in this rear brake switchover the brake pressure will release momentarily. If you're using the rear brake only to hold the bike on a hill it'll roll a few centimeters, but the first time it happens it might feel like a lot more.

The noise and the unsubtle front brake at parking speeds have been features of my '03 GS since new.

 

[chad]

A couple of questions from a GS newbie.

Have an '03 GS Adventure (single spark) with servo ABS.

1. The front brake seems excessively "grabby" - in that if I squeeze gently, it is progressive up to a point. Then the brakes seem to go from being on gently to on pretty damn hard in a tiny pressure change at the front brake lever. Not a problem at speed, but *really* not nice at slow speed (filtering / traffic / manouvering etc.).

Is this a feature of the servo ABS system, or does something need adjusting / bleeding?

2. The "squeeeeeeeeeeee" noise as you hold the brakes on. Comedy value wore off the first time I stopped on a hill. Can anything be done to shut it up a bit (that doesn't involve ripping out the ABS)? Is it related to #1 (i.e. something needs adjusting / bleeding).

Thanks,

Paul.

brakes are normal,,,but your bike should be a twin spark shouldnt it

 

[Packer]

It could be the choice of front disk pads.

Having tried a variety over the 50,000 miles I've done my 1150GS I prefer the Ferodo Platinum Pads as supplied by Steptoe of this forum.

+1 on removing the front calipers and checking that all 8 pistons move freely. If it's been ridden on salty roads it is very likely that one or more are partially or completely seized.

 

[Steptoe]

Having tried a variety over the 50,000 miles I've done my 1150GS I prefer the Ferodo Platinum Pads as supplied by Steptoe of this forum.

.

I also tried and tested all makes, and thats why ferodo platinum are the only pad i now supply, perfect for BMW's. Not too hard, not too soft and a good wear rate. EBC HH are far too hard and grabby and wear out the disc and with no real benefit in braking.

I could make more profit selling other makes of pad, but thats not my reason for supplying parts for GS's.

 

[roddy]

Be aware that somewhere in this rear brake switchover the brake pressure will release momentarily.

I can honestly say, I've never had that when holding the bike on the rear brake only, regardless of the incline, and it does seem to defeat the purpose of brakes if they release regardless of your foot position and pressure on the pedal

 

[Packer]

I can honestly say, I've never had that when holding the bike on the rear brake only, regardless of the incline, and it does seem to defeat the purpose of brakes if they release regardless of your foot position and pressure on the pedal

It may be nothing more than the movement you get when releasing the front lever if you've come to halt on both. The suspension relaxes and you get that wee bit of a move as the rear brake takes all of the load.

 

[oblertone]

They all do that ...

... but you can alleviate the grabby nature by slowing on the linked brakes but stopping on the rear only. Takes a bit of mental effort, but worth the while

 

[ahutcheon]

It may be nothing more than the movement you get when releasing the front lever if you've come to halt on both. The suspension relaxes and you get that wee bit of a move as the rear brake takes all of the load.

I'm pretty sure it happens all by itself, and even if I stop using just the rear brake. I also remember being warned about it around the time I bought the bike new (by the dealer? threads here? ADVrider? I can't remember). If I hadn't been told that "they all do that" I'd have thought that the brakes were faulty. Maybe it's just my bike, and what I remember being told is either a conspiracy or delusion...

 

[roddy]

It may be nothing more than the movement you get when releasing the front lever if you've come to halt on both. The suspension relaxes and you get that wee bit of a move as the rear brake takes all of the load.

yup get that, just not the rolling back bit, but I can see how it can be percived as the bike rolling back.

 

[chad]

yup get that, just not the rolling back bit, but I can see how it can be percived as the bike rolling back.

yup its normal oblertone has the best was around it its one of the quirks of a quirky but feckin ace bike

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

had the same symptoms. Bike fully serviced and brakes now feather to a stop. i like the servo noises. they intrigue me to be honest.

for example:

When I power up the bike, it only has residual brakes (03 gsa like yours) power up engine and once at 3 mph the servo becomes active. Now, I'm curious why the servo remains active when I stall the bike (I tend to come home, put bike on side stand in neutral, open gate, jump on bike and put her in first gear and she stalls. No!! I don't want to fix that)

Point is, servo stays active with the engine off and ignition on. Could this not have been designed better? ie work when ignition is turned on????? Mines being a bit funky recently too.

try feathering the brakes though. Wear ear plugs...

 

[DollyRocket]

My servo is active as soon as the ignition is on, only the abs is down until the pull away test has been completed.

 

[Boxergsa]

I too experience the feeling of the bike slipping back slightly when on just the rear brake on an incline. It doesn't happen often, certainly not often enough to diagnose, but it can be quite disconcerting. I have just accepted it as one of the foibles of the ABS/Servo system.