Cost aside.............

[Eastriding2002]

Got myself a couple of back to back test rides booked for August, 1200GS v 1200ST, my question being is:

To ABS or not ABS if I do decide to part with an arm and leg. Having ridden an 1150RT a couple fo years back, and being impressed with the power brakes, I'm wondering if the ABS is worth the £750 or so they ask. Pretty sure it will boil down to personal choice, btu are there any issues with the ABS.

Roll on August for the test rides.

Andy T

 

[JAY]

Well, for a very small number of owners there is a safety issue re servo brakes as you will see if you search the forum. However I'm happy with mine and wouldn't do without them. It's down to what you want really.

Tried the ST back to back with the GS and ended up ordering the GS (3 month delivery mind you - be a nice Xmas present for you~!); the ST was great fun with plenty of go but I guess I've got use to the upright riding position now. Also the pegs on the ST seemed very cramped for me (31" leg).

John
1150GS

 

[Twotter]

It seems to me that more people want a GS with ABS than one without, so that may have an effect on future values when you change it.

(No doubt will be inundated with non ABS fans now)

 

[Tobers]

Lots being talked about re servo brakes at the moment. I've never had a problem with mine at all. I had never used ABS in anger either until a couple of weeks ago in Ireland.

Trolling away from Kenmare at the start of a day's ride, I was leading and concentrating more on the rabble of mates behind me than the road in front. The car in front of the car in front stopped suddenly to turn right into a petrol station. I didn't notice until the car in front of me had almost stopped. I panic-grabbed a handful and the bike stopped bloody quickly. The ABS cut in (shiny smooth road) for probably two pulses and then I'd stopped.

Pretty amazing - not sure if I'd have gone down without the ABS, but I think a front wheel lock is likely. By the time I'd have manually released and re-applied the brakes on a non-ABS bike (assuming I'd have had the nonce to do so), I'd probably have walloped the back of the car.

Mind you - it could have been a nice stoppie without ABS!

 

[Eastriding2002]

Also the pegs on the ST seemed very cramped for me (31" leg).

John
1150GS

I'm the opposite John, 29" leg, had a sit on a GS just so I wans't wasting the salesman's time. I'd say it appears to be of a similar height, seat wise to the Fazer Thou. I was just a little concerned that with the higher bars and getting a lower seat I'd end up looking like I'm sat in the bike rather than on it, and thus reaching up for the bars in effect.

Do not all GS's and ST's have the "servo brakes" then? I must have been misreading the tech specs on -line. Do they just come with the ABS option then?

 

[Rod Souter]

ABS & servo are bound together, no abs = no servo.

If it saves you once, it was worth it!

Rod

 

[degsy]

ABS or not

hi andy
i would say go for ABS added safety and re-sale valve but having never riden a GS or a Beamer without ABS could not say for sure how much difference between 1 with or without regarding feel.
Mine came with ABS as standard

(fazerman250) Degsy

enjoy your test rides matey

 

[Brian ROSEN]

GS or ST

If you are not sure bear in mind that the GS has been 'top of the pops' since it came out and almost impossible to find secondhand. Resale value is bound to be high. Why ? Many think that the riding position encourages you to be more aware and generally gives better visibilty. Even here in France the speed limit is low (80 mph) for a 'bike and there is certainly no need to be crouched over the handlebars - unless you go well over the limit; then if you go through a radar you may find the resale value of your bike is very important. Getting slightly off the subject- but it is a good story - a motorcyclist and the driver of a Ferrari were stopped on the autoroute near Orange yesterday. They were obviously racing and were doing 250 kph ( 155 mph) - they are in custody at the moment ! Best wishes, Brian (It is 37°C here - that is 98.6 in the shade, which is a little difficult to find on the roads.- so I am in front of this device !)

 

[Eastriding2002]

Re: ABS or not

hi andy
i would say go for ABS added safety and re-sale valve but having never riden a GS or a Beamer without ABS could not say for sure how much difference between 1 with or without regarding feel.
Mine came with ABS as standard

(fazerman250) Degsy

enjoy your test rides matey

Thanks for that chaps, looks like if I fall for the Beemer my wallet will take an even bigger battering then! I've only ridden the one BM and it had the power brakes, they were awesome, and I loved the "odd" suspension which made an average rider feel extremely comfortable controlling such a large lump about the twisties ( it was the 1150RT by the way!)

See Degsy, if you have a "generic" style handle you can take it anywhere mate! Guess I'll be labelled in the pipe n slippers corner too if I succcumb.

 

[RichieS]

Hmmmmm

Lots being talked about re servo brakes at the moment. I've never had a problem with mine at all. I had never used ABS in anger either until a couple of weeks ago in Ireland.

Trolling away from Kenmare at the start of a day's ride, I was leading and concentrating more on the rabble of mates behind me than the road in front. The car in front of the car in front stopped suddenly to turn right into a petrol station. I didn't notice until the car in front of me had almost stopped. I panic-grabbed a handful and the bike stopped bloody quickly. The ABS cut in (shiny smooth road) for probably two pulses and then I'd stopped.

Pretty amazing - not sure if I'd have gone down without the ABS, but I think a front wheel lock is likely. By the time I'd have manually released and re-applied the brakes on a non-ABS bike (assuming I'd have had the nonce to do so), I'd probably have walloped the back of the car.

Mind you - it could have been a nice stoppie without ABS!

Dont remember you mentioning that small fact at the time! And dont bring the 'rabble' into it for your own poor riding...being IAM and all!!!!