buy or not to buy - also quickie on ABS

[welder8uk]

I am going to look at (or should that read buy) an 1100GS. I have read most of the threads on most of the forums about the pro's - con's of an 1100 vs 1150.

But.......... to the rider is there any difference between the 2?

I would prefer an 1150GS purely for asthetics, however I do use my bikes and rarely polish them (they are toys but I dont covert them) I do however look after them mechanically very well probably too well. They also get used all through the year, I only wish I discovered them earlier instead of going for the heavy tourer types I tend to go for. In the past I have had the obligatory 250 Superdream (only to learn on you understand), CX500, CX650, Suz 850GS, then a break, for thepast 2 years I have an old Yam XJ900 (which I thinks is great, loads of torque and you dont have to scream the arse off it to get to perform)


So I must be able to do all the normal things to them myself (ie general servicing, clutch changes, dirve shaft rebuilds ect).

Would the 1100 be a good way to go given that I cant justify the £5.5k min that the 1150 seem to go for?

What shoud I look for in the ABS?

I have heard that the self test, how can I tell, how often do they do it?

Thanks

Steve

 

[CoolCarbon]

The Self Test is a bit of a 'clunk and weeze' as you set off first time after starting up, although sometimes it wll happen if you've stop during the jorney too...bit disconcerting when you first hear it, but, as the saying goes....."They all do that Sir"

Evo II brakes don't BTW.

CC

 

[welder8uk]

Thanks for that, at least I know what to expect.

Out of curiosity, how do I tell if its evo II brakes?

Steve

 

[nleader]

Out of curiosity, how do I tell if its evo II brakes?

Steve

My non-Evo bike has brake callipers marked 'Brembo'. My mates Evo/Servo bike has them marked 'BMW' and they don't work well when the engine isn't running.

Norman

 

[pragmatix]

My non-Evo bike has brake callipers marked 'Brembo'. My mates Evo/Servo bike has them marked 'BMW' and they don't work well when the engine isn't running.

Norman

Not the full story non Evo bikes also have calipers marked with BMW, its only later bikes that are Evo after 2002 I think, could be wrong on that.

The bikes have servo brakes if the engine is not running then the brakes have very little braking, when the engine is running they are some of the best brakes I have ever used, you will also here the servo running!!!!

Pete A

 

[Big Al Litch]

As previously stated, I think the Evo2 brakes were only fitted after 2002 (poss early 2003?) which may mean that there are fewer such equiped bikes in the £5.5K (max) price-range you are looking at.

Personally I think they are fantastic and as I would want them on a car, why not a bike?
I adapted to them straight away and wondered what people were moaning about (too fierce, too sharp, they grab etc) so one day I pulled on the lever as if I was in an emergency-stop situation and boy, did I stop! They are very powerful yet still very responsive, I have contrived situations to activate the ABS and found it very reassuring. I wish I had it a couple of years ago when I grabbed too much front brake in the wet and ended up going face-first along the tarmac. In that spit second, a lifetime of riding didn't stop me hitting the floor (I missed the car though!).

The jury is out on the issue of ABS pumps, I am still waiting for my first fault so I have no comment about long (or short) term reliability. Certainly the servo can be heard running when you operate the brakes and just like in a car, you have vastly reduced braking with the engine off (even a sticker on the tank to tell you this) however you soon remember this and adapt.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I bought my GS1150 ABS LINKED BRAKES, 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 900 MILES ON THE CLOCK.
I realised that the brake light was not going out when the front brake lever was squeezed gently. Only then did I find out that the servo pump was not meant to stay on in this situation. Two new master cylinders and one servo pump later the bike was back. 6 weeks later the servo pump failed completely, fortunately for both myself and the tossers at BMW, I was only reaching the junction 30 feet from my house. After I eventually stopped, just to take the piss, the ABS warning lights came on. Who said the Germans don't have a sense of humour. I have not had a satisfactory answer from BMW Bracknel, but at least they replied. BMW Germany didn't bother replying.