ABS - why not?

[BigDan]

Hello,

I've noticed a lot of people using "non-ABS" as a plus point in adverts, and people actively searching out non-ABS models.

Why is this?

I think ABS is a brilliant tool, there for when you need it. I used to think its better to learn to stay calm and brake in a more controlled manner in an emergency, but having locked up the front on a bike last year by panic breaking, I like the safety that ABS provides...

Cheers,
Dan

 

[fizzer]

because on early gs,s i think before 2007 they had servo assisted abs and were a tad problematic,of course there are some cases of the newer models also having a few probs too.
but dont let it put you off any bike the later models can have the modulater repaired at reasonable cost.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

The earlier bikes had a lot of costly problems with ABS.
You will get other replies along the lines of they can outperform the system and you will get others saying it has saved them hundreds of times.

 

[BigDan]

Am I likely to have issues with a 2006 GSA model?

cheers

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Am I likely to have issues with a 2006 GSA model?

cheers

Yes, if it has ABS

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Yes, not guaranteed but it can happen.

 

[fizzer]

the first gs i bought was a 2005 it had servo assisted abs ,and it was no bother,but that said some do go wrong.
but then again i can tell you about other bikes manufacturers that have problems in other areas.
cam chain tensioners honda anybody,can be terminal.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

My 2006 GS is servo/abs and still performs faultlessly

 

[Bendy toy]

The servo brakes are said to need less lever force which has to be good. Anyone buying should check out the costs of repairs. The worst case of replacing with new BMW parts doe not have to be the only option.

That all said I went for a Mk2 1200 because some of the final drive bearing issues were sorted out and they dont have servo brakes.

Other than tahe Im with Dan - ABS a good thing and so is TCS. The suspension allows these bikes to cotner much better than the rider might appreciate so whacking on too much power exiting a bend is highly likely. The TCS deals with that so well it makes me look like a riding god.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Because

Hello,

I've noticed a lot of people using "non-ABS" as a plus point in adverts, and people actively searching out non-ABS models.

Why is this?

I think ABS is a brilliant tool, there for when you need it. I used to think its better to learn to stay calm and brake in a more controlled manner in an emergency, but having locked up the front on a bike last year by panic breaking, I like the safety that ABS provides...

Cheers,
Dan

They are thick as 2 short planks nailed tight together.
Myke

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

I have had to remove more sets of ABS from BMW bikes than I care to remember because they are notoriously unreliable and prohibitively expensive to repair.

I wouldn't have BMW bike with ABS EVER! So that's ruled me out from ever having a newer bike than I already have, and that's fine!

 

[diplomaticdanny]

2006 GSA 40000 miles, never had an issue with anything, including abs & no it's not for sale.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

My 2006 GSA was one of the 1st without servo brakes and I specced it without ABS. My 1100 and 1150 had ABS and I wasn't happy with the braking as the ABS came in far too early. I also had a pal of mine with an early ABS equipped 1200 and they weren't good on there either,

I've done over 100k on mine and I haven't had one instance when ABS would have been beneficial to me. The brakes are very powerful and have loads of feel. I'm of the opinion that a lot of people rely on ABS to get them out of situations which careful planning are easily avoidable. Someone once said on here that ABS had saved his life 3 times......my comment was he should concentrate on learning to fucking ride and not get himself in that position in the 1st place which didn't go down too well.

I've ridden the new WC and have to say the brakes were awesome and I couldn't feel a hint of the ABS kicking in and technology has come on leaps and bounds. If I had a new WC, I would probably have the ABS but I will probably go for a late twin cam next and will look for a non ABS model.

I know there are people who will say that ABS could save your life and I'm sure they are right but if you find the right bike without it, don't worry and just ride it.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Only time i felt abs kick in on my last bike was in switzerland,bike fully loaded with the mrs on the back, pissing it down. I was trundling though town, a car half pulled out of left field 10 yards or so infront of me from a blind corner (building hiding the road he was on and level with the junction). He didnt pull out fully into the road but in that split second i thought he was going to, in those sort of split second situations you almost dont have time to react, you have to grab a handful and hope. I think i was over a manhole cover (the road surface was dark) when i hit the brakes. Not sure abs saved our ass but it did its job, no dramas.

Get ABS if you can.

 

[Bendy toy]

I previously had a Yamaha Diversion 900 - a bike with adequate brakes and adequate suspension. The brakes were powerful enough but could be on or off causing the bike to pogo. I fitted a set of Yamaha blue spots from an R1/R6 (a simple straight fit) and transformed the braking with far more control and feel. When a stupid teenage girl ran almost under my front wheels I actually left a black tyre mark from the FRONT wheel and didn't fall off. The standard brakes would have had me, her and the bike in a painful heap.

The GS also has great brakes and only on one occasion on dry roads have I had the ABS cut in. It was my brain fade and maybe I'd have stopped without it. ABS also has flickered a bit on greasy over salted or oil slicked wet roads. Maybe it kicked in early (who knows) but it was good to know when the surface is more slippy than it looks or feels. Ive never grabbed a handful of brakes mid bend and don't intend to try it.

The GS front suspension has more stability than normal forks. The GS brakes and suspension don't interfere with each other. To me its great to leave that compromise behind, but the risk is getting too close to the limit then oops over the edge with no warning of trouble ahead. ABS avoids that issue but riding god behaviour might not be ideal for the commute to work.

 

[The smudger]

Hello,

I've noticed a lot of people using "non-ABS" as a plus point in adverts, and people actively searching out non-ABS models.

Why is this?

I think ABS is a brilliant tool, there for when you need it. I used to think its better to learn to stay calm and brake in a more controlled manner in an emergency, but having locked up the front on a bike last year by panic breaking, I like the safety that ABS provides...

Cheers,
Dan

Definitely worth having. ABS is a safety system, whats not to like about it? Of course it has its issues but what system doesn't? I think people who are trying to sell a bike without will obviously big up non ABS bikes, because they want to sell there bike, and people who say 'never again, its shite' etc are just plain ignorant.

Just my 10p worth….

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Definitely worth having. ABS is a safety system, whats not to like about it? Of course it has its issues but what system doesn't? I think people who are trying to sell a bike without will obviously big up non ABS bikes, because they want to sell there bike, and people who say 'never again, its shite' etc are just plain ignorant.

Just my 10p worth….

I am ignorant

Never again would I have a BMW GS from 2003-2007 with Servo ABS brakes, either a 1150 or a 1200

Even BMW stopped fitting it, by 2007

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Forgot to say, my 2006 has servo assisted abs, love it, yes it is a bit fierce at low speed but you know you are going to stop. Having been a demonstration driver for the IAM for a couple of years, I am pretty good at not getting myself into the situations where abs would save my life, but there are a lot more idiots out there than there used to be!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Forgot to say, my 2006 has servo assisted abs, love it, yes it is a bit fierce at low speed but you know you are going to stop. Are you really sure about that?

Having been a demonstration driver for the IAM for a couple of years, I am pretty good at not getting myself into the situations where abs would save my life, but there are a lot more idiots out there than there used to be!

Fixed

What's a demonstration driver for the IAM - is it for schoolkids to watch and see how it's done?

 

[r1150gsclark]

I previously had a 93 year R1100RS fitted with ABS for 6 years, and now own a 02 R1150GS, also fitted with ABS, never had any problems so far, perhaps I've just been lucky!