ABS Servo Brakes

[Cutter]

I have just bought a R1150GSA (03 Reg) and as my previous bike was a R850GS, I am not used to hearing weird noises when I pull the front brake or press the rear brake.

Help!

It has ABS, am I to presume that it has a servo? Should it be making these noises?

 

[John Armstrong]

Hello to you.

Basically yes to servo if it has ABS on your age of bike. A test is to see if the brakes feel almost useless if the ignition is off.

It should only whine when the brake lever is pulled. Unlike the rider It'll also dim the lights as well if you apply the brakes when the engine is only idling.

 

[Packer]

If it makes screeching noises when you activate either brake with the ignition on you are the lucky owner of servo brakes!

You will find that you can do emergency stops with just one finger on the front lever The downside is that it takes practise to use them gently enough for a smooth stop.

The red light will flash on start up until the wheels have turned enough to reset the electronics for the ABS then it will go out.

Every time you use the brakes they'll "talk" to you.

 

[Cutter]

Thanks Guys.

I was worried for a bit, especially when I started to brake and they felt dog rough, as they shuddered along. I think I must have been pulling my lever too hard!!! I will have to learn to be pull it with less force.
I thought I had been caught by the short and curlies, but now I can rest easy and ride in peace.

Cutter

 

[Voyager]

A word of caution.

The power assisted brakes take a lot of power from the battery.

I received a letter from BMW with a handbook insert for my K1200GT (similar system to the 1150GS) saying that one should ensure that sufficient time is allowed for re-charging the battery after a max of five "breaking exercises".

They are worried about "Rider Safety Training" where a large number of braking exercises are undertaken in short succession - but the message is plain.

I have recently acquired an 1150GSA with power assisted ABS and I try not to hang on to the brakes for longer than is necessary (e.g. stopping at traffic lights on a hill).

I don't have this problem with the good old 100GS !

Bob.