ABS - What's the new version like?

[Dale]

I had a '05 1200GS and found the ABS to be a real nuisance when off road ... the whole sequence of; switch off bike, hold button, switch on bike, release button, start bike, check ABS is disabled, etc, etc is a real PITA. Also, with servos, I found the brakes to be really hard to modulate (esp on gravel surfaces).

So now it is time to start thinking about a new bike (probably 2008 1200GS) and was wondering if the ABS is still the same. I have heard that you can switch it on / off on the fly ... is that correct? I also heard that the new bikes have done away with the servos and gone back to pure hydraulics and they have more "feel" than the servo ones.... anyone care to comment on that?

Lastly, if I go for one without ABS, are the brakes still linked (or intergrated or whatever).... iow, when you pull the front brake, does the rear brake activate?

So, has anyone driven any of the new bikes and can comment on the differences?

Dale

 

[Ali-bear]

I never rode one of the "old" bikes but have a new one and have provoked the ABS into action - deliberately.

Easy to make the ABS kick in - I just braked hard with the rear only, having found an empty bit of straight road at 30mph ish. When it activates, it just feels like the pedal is going a bit soft (as if you had a hydraulic leak) for a bit, then it starts to kick back against the foot pressure several times a second, with an irregular beat. Stopped pretty quickly while doing this so highly effective IMHO.

No I didn't try the front yet.

So far I can only disable the ABS when the bike is at a standstill, but theres no need to stop the engine.

 

[Padge]

Do a search as there's plenty ofdebate on it.. but my experience on the 2006 and now 2007ADV is:
Servo ABS 2006:
Great power (would probably stop a bus) and modulation and ABS seems pretty good.
As you pay, pain in d'ar$e off road to swtich off.

Non Servo ABS 2007:
Slightly less power, but still great and never lacking.
Fantastic off road (pause for about a second to switch off with engine running).
ABS doesn't feel as good. It seems to have less "pulses per second" when activated. Maybe it was easier to control the ABS with the servo's?

Non ABS is not linked.