ABS Modulator failure - Watchdog anyone?

[surreygraham]

MOVED TO HEX HEAD FORUM

On approaching a line of stationary traffic I applied my brakes as usual and all was fine. Suddenly the brakes appeared to fail and to avoid the stationary queue I was forced to move into on-coming traffic and was nearly killed. I managed to stop using 'manual' braking once I knew I had to apply more force!

BMW diagnostic showed up a failed ABS Modulator which, looking on line, seems to be a common fault which requires an expensive repair. To my mind the inherent danger posed by this particular failure means that BMW should be recalling affected bikes and repairing them FOC. I called a supplier of used parts today and he told me that he gets daily calls for this item.

My family nearly lost their father and I want to make sure that nobody else is nearly, or actually, killed.

So, I have joined this forum to try and find out the level of likely support for a Watchdog type campaign. Are there any fellow GS riders who are interested?

 

[Engineer]

On approaching a line of stationary traffic I applied my brakes as usual and all was fine. Suddenly the brakes appeared to fail and to avoid the stationary queue I was forced to move into on-coming traffic and was nearly killed. I managed to stop using 'manual' braking once I knew I had to apply more force!

BMW diagnostic showed up a failed ABS Modulator which, looking on line, seems to be a common fault which requires an expensive repair. To my mind the inherent danger posed by this particular failure means that BMW should be recalling affected bikes and repairing them FOC. I called a supplier of used parts today and he told me that he gets daily calls for this item.

My family nearly lost their father and I want to make sure that nobody else is nearly, or actually, killed.

So, I have joined this forum to try and find out the level of likely support for a Watchdog type campaign. Are there any fellow GS riders who are interested?

Your bike is a watercooled one??

 

[surreygraham]

Oops wrong forum....I'll move it!

 

[Paul S]

Sounds like a pre 2007 servo assisted bike - so better off in the Hex head section

 

[cookie]

i'm puzzled.

surely the first reaction when braking is reduced is to apply more force

i am fortunate to have not been in that situation, so can't say for certain. it just seems instinctive though.

 

[bisbee]

i'm puzzled.

surely the first reaction when braking is reduced is to apply more force

i am fortunate to have not been in that situation, so can't say for certain. it just seems instinctive though.

The servo reduces braking effort by around 30% so if it fails it will be a big squeeze of the lever to bring the bike to a stop

 

[cookie]

The servo reduces braking effort by around 30% so if it fails it will be a big squeeze of the lever to bring the bike to a stop

i realise that and have ridden a GSA with a disabled servo. it still had reasonable stopping power.

what i'm saying is that surely ones first reaction to reduced braking, even if it is a bit of a surprise, is to squeeze harder, not veer into oncoming traffic. it seems not.

 

[bisbee]

Just exactly which model and year of bike are we talking about here ?

 

[Bendy toy]

The Mk1 R1200GS had servo brakes. THE Mk 2 (2008/2009) and Mk3 did not have the servo.