ABS,Tyre Pressor Sensors & ASC

[Big Nick]

Most of the second hand GSA's I've seen have the Dynamic Pack fitted which includes ABS, Tyre Pressure Sensors and Traction Control.

When I bought my previous GSA new I didn't really bother looking into the merits and pitfalls of having them as they would of pushed the bike price up to more than I wanted to pay

So the question is are they worth having or just pointless electrickery that will go wrong and cost a bomb to fix?

 

[Andy_E]

There are plenty of threads floating around already on this, so no doubt this one will attract the usual comments

1. ABS - personally I am in favour of it. I've only triggered it once or twice in anger but it did what it said on the tin, and it can be turned off when playing in the dirt.

2. Tyre pressure sensors. I found them useful as an early indication of a slow puncture as I've a habit on motorways of scrolling round the display every so often so noticed the pressure dropping before the handling changed. I don't rely on them to tell me what the actual pressure is.

3. Traction control. I'm a bit of a slowcoach so haven't noticed this kick in really. I do wonder if traction control would have prevented me binning a previous bike in an accident so for me I thought it was a worthwhile investment.

Reliability. The jury's still out on that. My tyre pressure sensors have survived three sets of tyre changes at the cheapest tyre supplier I could find so they seem robust. I've had cars (BMW and non-BMW) with ABS and traction control for many years and never had either system fail so I tend to believe that they'll be robust long-term.

Then again, I do like my gadgets

Tip - for your next thread try asking about whether ESA is worth having

 

[bisbee]

This one will run a bit I suspect

I bought mine with both the dynamic and premium packs already fitted so I am used to all the gadgets and I reckon they're worth having I particularly like the tyre pressure monitor

would I pay another 1100 ish quid on top of the std new price probably not but given a choice in the s/hand market I'd go for the gadgets
just my 2p

 

[Beemerman59]

There are plenty of threads floating around already on this, so no doubt this one will attract the usual comments

1. ABS - personally I am in favour of it. I've only triggered it once or twice in anger but it did what it said on the tin, and it can be turned off when playing in the dirt.

2. Tyre pressure sensors. I found them useful as an early indication of a slow puncture as I've a habit on motorways of scrolling round the display every so often so noticed the pressure dropping before the handling changed. I don't rely on them to tell me what the actual pressure is.

3. Traction control. I'm a bit of a slowcoach so haven't noticed this kick in really. I do wonder if traction control would have prevented me binning a previous bike in an accident so for me I thought it was a worthwhile investment.

Reliability. The jury's still out on that. My tyre pressure sensors have survived three sets of tyre changes at the cheapest tyre supplier I could find so they seem robust. I've had cars (BMW and non-BMW) with ABS and traction control for many years and never had either system fail so I tend to believe that they'll be robust long-term.

Then again, I do like my gadgets

Tip - for your next thread try asking about whether ESA is worth having

I would agree 100% with the above. I had ABS on my K1100 and used it in anger several times and I'm sure the same will be true on the GSA. TPS's have survived my own DIY tyre changing and they have pre-warned me of impending doom on a slow punture on the rear. ACS I think is the only thing I don't think I have ever kicked in so to speak so if anything had to go it would be that for me.

 

[Fredrik]

Hi
I have all of those options on my bike.
ABS saved mine and my girlfriend ass last summer.
TPS Nice to have and is spot on compared to other air pumps
ASC Saved my ass.A bus had dumped hydraulic oil and it stopped me from doing a lowside.
Fredrik

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Gadgets

As a well known Luddite I wouldn't have any of them, the simpler the better, less to go wrong, but I wouldn't criticise anybody who had or wanted them!

Duncan

 

[EggChaser]

1. ABS saved my life on an F650CS in the wet on a motorway so had it on both my later bikes. Either my riding has got better or the latest version is not so sensitive (or both) as I on the GS I no longer seem to get the painted sleeping policeman issue where under braking for roundabouts etc the ABS reacts as the front wheel 'hops' over the paint.

2. TPS helped my identify an issue with a slow leak within 300yrds of leaving a tyre fitter that had just changed my tyres - which meant I could instantly go back to get it sorted.

3. ESC not sure about yet - I have certainly been aware of it activating on the odd occasion that I have had the rear wheel in the air on a roller in the road. On the odd occasion where the rear end has stepped out on a loose surface, it may have saved me - but at those points in time I am too busy to look at the dash to see if it has activated.

BTW - I don't have ESA which is the other fancy system so can't comment on that.

 

[littleredrooster]

Gadgets

ABS - it's the sort of thing you don't really need until the plan goes tits-up somewhere, then you regret not paying the extra. It's probably saved me twice in 80-odd thousand miles. Wouldn't be without it now, it's better without the servos though.

TPS - worth it just to check for slow punctures. As previously mentioned, I use it as a relative pressure device, not an absolute (I check the pressures with a proper gauge) but watch the display for any changes on a ride. Easier to use now that the dealer has reprogrammed it in PSI

ACS - On a wet motorway ramp last night, I thought the bike had developed a misfire - 'Bloomin brilliant' I thought '40 miles from home and I've now got a problem'. Wrong; it was the traction-control stopping the rear wheel from spinning. Only other time I've noticed it is when it cuts the engine as you jump off hump-back bridges. I can probably do without it, TBH

ESA - nice to be able to switch damping modes on the move when two-up. Pre-load adjustment is less useful, as it will only do this at a standstill and struggles if you have pillion and luggage on board. Small children like to see the bike lowering itself; almost as much fun as blipping the throttle and letting them watch it raise itself from the sidestand.

 

[NorthernBoy]

I've got the lot on mine, and like them all.

The traction control is a pretty decent one on the GS, and will actually rein in the power only when you were going to spin the rear it seems. In the wet, it lets me get on the power earlier and harder than I'd want to be doing without it there.

In the dry, I'm not so sure that it makes much of a difference. I've just come back from the Nurburgring, and despite pushing it as hard as I could (both pegs down on each lap, going hard enough that I was passing plenty of sportsbikes), I didn't even see the light flash once.

 

[Chris Terry]

I've got the lot on mine, and like them all.

The traction control is a pretty decent one on the GS, and will actually rein in the power only when you were going to spin the rear it seems. In the wet, it lets me get on the power earlier and harder than I'd want to be doing without it there.

In the dry, I'm not so sure that it makes much of a difference. I've just come back from the Nurburgring, and despite pushing it as hard as I could (both pegs down on each lap, going hard enough that I was passing plenty of sportsbikes), I didn't even see the light flash once.

Do you mean that you can nail it comming out of a tight corner in the wet and all will be well ?

 

[Yonkyo]

ABS – this latest incarnation of it works really well. If you are a high
mileage all weathers rider, then I think its worthwhile

TPS – I found it useful when it warned me of a slow puncture.

ASC – or should it be called AWC (Anti Wheelie Control).
Mode 1 – stops you doing any wheelies
Mode 2 – allows you to do moderate wheelies and prevents you
from flipping her.
Turn it off - now you can do proper mingers.

Oh ASC, yes, like ABS useful on wet or slippery roads.