1150GSA Sevo brakes

[Nick G]

Hi, I have a general advice thread going one a potential purchase of an 1150 GSA '03 Servo to replace an '02 (I still have).
More specifically (technically) any advice on the issues of de-activating the servo (includes ABS it seems) and general pros and cons on servo v. non servo would be useful.
Other than colour and year the bikes are pretty much the same condition. Always had a hankering for a twin spark black one but open to advice.

 

[roddy]

you can remove the servo if needed, theres a thread somewhere detailing how to do this.

The servo thing seems a very subjective thing, many like it, many hate it, many thought they'd hate it but now like it.

I find you need to ride a bit differently than your maybe used to, you tend to use more rear brake to a higher speed than usual, otherwise it can feel jerky as they are good brakes.

I'm in the camp I like to have ABS so happy to keep the servo, if it fails then I'll remove it and save a bit of weight. If the servo fails you are left with residual braking which can feel poor compared to the servo set up, but at least you'll still stop.

The only non-servo I've rode was a 1100GS I never felt like the brakes where poor, but it is a lighter bike compared to the 1150GSA, so probably not a great comparasion

 

[illustratedman]

If you dont like the servo there is a no cost removal procedure on the site, personally i have it and it doesnt bother me at all, if it goes tits up i'll rip it out.
From reports of others who have done it the brakes are just as good with it removed in fact the back is probably better. I wouldnt let it put me off buying a bike. If you remove it you lose the ABS, big deal.

 

[scifilord]

Hi i was in the same boat myself wanted a gs with abs but did not want servo but ended up getting a servo one in the end.

Had the bike a month now and think the brakes are great very powerful and mine are not snatchy.

Like others have said when it fails (not if it fails) i will take it out and make do without abs.

Just go for it and enjoy

 

[Mutley]

Hi, I have a general advice thread going one a potential purchase of an 1150 GSA '03 Servo to replace an '02 (I still have).
More specifically (technically) any advice on the issues of de-activating the servo (includes ABS it seems) and general pros and cons on servo v. non servo would be useful.
Other than colour and year the bikes are pretty much the same condition. Always had a hankering for a twin spark black one but open to advice.

Before you get flamed try using the 'search' function and also look in the 'font of all knowledge'

There was a thread about this only a couple of weeks ago

Summary of all the advice:

• some will tell you horror stories of sudden servo failure and how they nearly died
• some will tell you they are heroes and better than ABS
• some will tell you that ABS lets the brakes off at just the wrong time
• a few might tell you that they've happily ridden a bike with servo ABS for years with no issues (but they'll be real quiet about it)

Now you can make your own mind up

 

[gas boy]

I've had both - 04 GSA with servo + ABS - currently 05 non servo + non ABS

I don't have any horror stories to tell about servo + ABS - I just thought the brakes could be a little "snatchy" sometimes - and I got to hate the whine of the servo when at standstill holding the brakes

I don't feel that I have any less performing brakes with the non servo + non ABS - if anything I think they have more "feel"

Hope this helps a little

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've had both - 04 GSA with servo + ABS - currently 05 non servo + non ABS

I don't have any horror stories to tell about servo + ABS - I just thought the brakes could be a little "snatchy" sometimes - and I got to hate the whine of the servo when at standstill holding the brakes

I don't feel that I have any less performing brakes with the non servo + non ABS - if anything I think they have more "feel"

Hope this helps a little

+1

 

[roddy]

..and I got to hate the whine of the servo when at standstill holding the brakes....

Use the back brake then, once upto pressure the servo stops, it's only the front that keeps the servo working all the time