Brake Failure - Non ABS

[GSLad]

I took delivery of my new 1200GS about two months ago and have enjoyed 3888 miles of its company, before........

Ireland a few weeks back, approaching a 'T' junction to my offside with the intention of turning right into it.

Slowing from around 40mph in good time I began to brake, at first using engine braking and then once down to around 15mph I apply for the front brake.

So two fingers on the lever, apply pressure and it come's back to the bar, no pressure and no bite at all. 'Oh F**K' I think as I head towards the banking, which lines the mouth of the junction.

With little time to react and already commited to the junction, I have no option but to try and enter it.

Not suprisingly, down we go at around 10mph. I'm ok, (physically anyway!), bikes looking a bit second hand.

I stand up with my hand still on the front brake lever which is still back to the bar and shout to anyone who will listen to come and feel it, so at least I have some witness'!

To cut a long story short, bike arrives at my dealer a few days later and after a few days it transpires the piston is sticking in the master cylinder of the front brake. So one minute you have brakes and the next you don't!

BMW have admitted it was component failure and have repaired the accident damage and master cylinder on my bike. I'm still waiting regarding my gear, including new underpants but live in hope.

I post this thread not to moan, not to frighten people, just to let you all know that another 1200GS has just let the side down.

My bike is NON ABS, spoked wheels, BMW alarm, white indicator lenses, heated grips and of course crahsed just the once. Offers please!

Regards,

James.

 

[Paul Mac]

Glad you're OK. Just think though this could have had a very different outcome. Drip drip drip confidence oozes away - WHAT is going on with these bikes. Did BMW actually test them in the real world???????

Regards Paul Mac

 

[ktmmark]

Yes but the brakes failed & the tester would not go out on it again ter
sorry just had to

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Glad to hear you got the matter sorted out, it was a a tough break (!) on such a good trip.
Watching Swampy somersault into the bog ditch was more fun.

 

[Alex]

Glad you're ok and everything is sorted with your bike. Although obviously it is not a standard fault, it is worrying that BMW are unable to get even the simplest things working properly these days. I mean have you ever heard anybody having a brake failure of this type in any bike?? I for sure haven't. The master cylinder is such a simple standardised piece of kit that it is almost unbelievable that someone could get it wrong...

Don't get me wrong. I love my bike, and would have any other bike apart from a GS but all these problems make me worry.

 

[Greg Masters]

James

I'm really glad you're OK and it's a bummer about the damage to your bike and kit.

Do these non-ABS bikes not have linked brakes?

Couldn't you (20:20 hindsight ) have stamped on the rear binder?

Greg

 

[Tobers]

Very worrying. Is it a big job to replace the brakes completely with a Brembo or AP setup?

They're just brakes, right. A new master cylinder and lever at the front and rear, nice braided lines, and new calipers. Maybe need spacers to match whatever new calipers to the fork legs. Should be able to use the same disks. Ditch all the ABS stuff and servo or just leave it on there but not connected.

Bloody expensive though and you shouldn't have to do it. But I'm sure there will be some people with spare bits & pieces hanging around who could have a go at this.

I quite fancy a nice AP Racing setup actually

 

[Mouse]

Very worrying. Is it a big job to replace the brakes completely with a Brembo or AP setup?

They're just brakes, right. A new master cylinder and lever at the front and rear, nice braided lines, and new calipers. Maybe need spacers to match whatever new calipers to the fork legs. Should be able to use the same disks. Ditch all the ABS stuff and servo or just leave it on there but not connected.

Think you've missed the point a bit here Tobers

For one thing, the original brakes ARE Brembos. Secondly, the bike involved in this incident didn't have any "ABS stuff and servo" to ditch - it's a non ABS (and hence non-servo) model.

Sounds to me like simple mechanical failure, probably of a seal in the master cylinder. Not that that's any excuse, but the servo system is definitely not to blame for this one.

 

[GSLad]

Just a quick reply to issues raised,

Greg your quite right about the rear brake and prior to the moment of impact I was dragging it trying to scrub off some mph. But I feel your missing the point slightly, you expect the front brake to work!

Mouse has hit the nail on the head when he says 'Simple mechanical failure', because thats just what it is. Probably just a 10 pence seal in the cheap sportsbike front brake package, although no one at the dealer could tell me exactly why it was occuring. I expect its in Germany now, with a man in a white coat.

I understand its to save weight e.t.c but it seems to me BMW have cut too many corners with this bike and if it happens to enough people maybe, just maybe they will issue a re-call.

 

[Greg Masters]

Greg your quite right about the rear brake and prior to the moment of impact I was dragging it trying to scrub off some mph. But I feel your missing the point slightly, you expect the front brake to work!

I thought that's what linked brakes did - but, thinking again, perhaps not rear to front on a GS.

Greg

 

[Tobers]

Yeah yeah yeah - I got the point. I know my ABS and servos and linked brakes ta very much. My point was that whilst we were on the subject of brakes, had anyone thought of a total replacement system which would be equally applicable to servo and non-servo bikes.

It's usually called a thread hijack I think

 

[Mouse]

It's usually called a thread hijack I think

Can't say fairer than that!

 

[RogerJ]

GSLad: Glad you are o.k. Could you tell us the build date of your bike? It's inside the small triangular shaped plastic pull off panel on the left side just ahead of the rider's seat. I have a non-ABS on order (June production) so am interested. Also, generally like to see what the build dates are on bikes that have had a problem. Thanks.

 

[GSLad]

Roger,

I would gladly let you know the build date, but I havn't got the bike back yet!

If and when it does come back i'll post it on this thread.

Regards,

James.