Johny w
Registered user
I asked them and they said if its fitted it should work, there is an ABS on off button too. I can't see the problem, but you know insurances 
ABS removal and MOT
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Sometimes regulations and how and why they are enforced can be a total PITA, we used to regularly get into the local SVA centre at Gosforth and they mentioned how ridiculous it was regarding standard equipment to pass SVA on Japanese import cars.
Paperwork supplied with the vehicles for SVA approval carried standard spec so loads of Japanese Imprezza WRX's and Skylines etc which arrived in the UK with upgraded Brembo and Willwood kit fitted had to be failed even though they were much better than standard .
SVA staff knew that what was happening was that the vehicles brakes were being swapped back to standard set up for SVA and then the upgrades refitted afterwards.
They knew this because they started putting UV markers on calipers which were appearing on Imprezza after Imprezza .
They were not that bothered as SVA inspection was carried out on the vehicle at the time it was presented but they commented on how ridiculous the rules could be .
Paperwork supplied with the vehicles for SVA approval carried standard spec so loads of Japanese Imprezza WRX's and Skylines etc which arrived in the UK with upgraded Brembo and Willwood kit fitted had to be failed even though they were much better than standard .
SVA staff knew that what was happening was that the vehicles brakes were being swapped back to standard set up for SVA and then the upgrades refitted afterwards.
They knew this because they started putting UV markers on calipers which were appearing on Imprezza after Imprezza .
They were not that bothered as SVA inspection was carried out on the vehicle at the time it was presented but they commented on how ridiculous the rules could be .
On my 1100 gs the abs has not worked for the last 2 MOT’s . I’ve never removed the full system so the lights on the dash still flash. I just covered them with black tape and had no problems at the MOT station .
Checking ABS system/wiring lights etc on motorcycles is still not part of the annual test.
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When I bought my first 1999 r1150gs I deliberately looked for a non ABS, I replaced it in 2011 with a new R1200GSA again specifying non ABS, the second 1999 R1150GS I bought a couple of years ago was again non ABS from new and it took ages to find
Johny w
Registered user
Well I'm very pleased, I declared the complete ABS removal to my insurers (Bikesure) and they've accepted and issued my new policy, on the grounds that it was dangerous.
I must add, if you have a aftermarket luggage system you need to declare that also, they class it as a modification.....and you what they're like!! Anything to avoid paying out a claim.
I must add, if you have a aftermarket luggage system you need to declare that also, they class it as a modification.....and you what they're like!! Anything to avoid paying out a claim.
I too had a 1992 Yamaha FJ1200Abs model, recently sold. Bike had as standard the abs on one of the many I had so many years ago saved my life, when I had to brake quickly in a queue of traffic I was overtaking, which did not go as planned.
Never had any issue with Abs pump on that model, and always changed the brake fluid fully on every service interval.
My Kawasaki Gtr1400, however had a major issue, that pump had packed up and required a change, fleabay supplied a working similar one that fitted, job was good, until I traded it later for my now, Bmw r1200Gsa Non-Abs, non-Esa. It just made sense to get this bike, and the good deal offered at the time.
In my opinion Abs is a good system for bikes to have, as long as strict fluid changes are carried out regularly, the system should last the lifetime of the bike.
Never had any issue with Abs pump on that model, and always changed the brake fluid fully on every service interval.
My Kawasaki Gtr1400, however had a major issue, that pump had packed up and required a change, fleabay supplied a working similar one that fitted, job was good, until I traded it later for my now, Bmw r1200Gsa Non-Abs, non-Esa. It just made sense to get this bike, and the good deal offered at the time.
In my opinion Abs is a good system for bikes to have, as long as strict fluid changes are carried out regularly, the system should last the lifetime of the bike.
Johny w
Registered user
Absolutely agree, its great to have, I've never had a problem in the past, but the r1150gs hadn't had regular fluid changes. It failed on me and it was very frightening......very dangerous, and I didn't like the residual braking, if you stalled on a very steep incline, the brakes wouldn't hold, and you'd be rolling backwards. ABS is great, but this system was old technology and unreliable. Now I have a very good reliable bike with no ABS
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