Hornblower
Registered user
I have an 1100GS, is there anything I can do to make sure that the ABS comes on first time? I seem to have to restart each journey to get it to come on. Also, is there a rack/top box available for the bike?
Help Please
- Thread starter Hornblower
- Start date
Sounds like your battery ain't quite up it. Replace with an Odyssey.
Or replace it with an OEM exide gel battery that costs less, has more capacity, fits properly and works just fine
Also, when starting, turn the ignition on but wait a few seconds before starting (I give it 4 flashed of the ABS lights). This gives the ABS self test time to complete before the volt drop associated with starting happens.
I used to have this with my 1100S. I read somewhere (or maybe I imagined it) that you should leave the ignition on for a couple of seconds too before you start the engine.... as above..
Though the OEM battery has more capacity it does not have anywhere near the same start current capability so when things are not ideal the voltage will fall causing the ABS problem, its not A/H capacity you need its start current.
The difference is cost is very small and should not be a reason for not getting one. Low self discharge too so wont loose anywhere as much charge if left.
The difference is cost is very small and should not be a reason for not getting one. Low self discharge too so wont loose anywhere as much charge if left.
Gotta love old abs
Apparently so.
There is some rubbish talked about batteries and the devotion to Odyssey batteries is tantamount to a religion. They don't fit properly, have less capacity, cost more and are fussy about chargers. They aren't made of special magic, they just trade starting current for capacity. If an OEM gel battery can't start your bike reliably then applying greater start current to it is just masking another problem (like a failing starter motor).
The same goes for chargers. No battery charger (whatever their marketing informations says) is clever enough to spot reduced capacity due to a failed cell or spulphation. Once you've flattened a lead acid battery, you've irredeemably reduced its capacity. No fancy charger will recover this lost capacity - once it's gone, it's gone forever. The charger just charges normally until it's charged to the new reduced capacity and gives you a little green light to say it's done its job (which it has - your knackered battery with its reduced capacity has accepted all the charge it can).
You can often get away with this reduced capacity with no ill effects until the battery is otherwise challenged (lot's of short journeys which don't give the alternator chance to replenish the starting loads, cold weather, the previous in combination with lots of accessories, etc).
The secret to prolonging battery life is to store it charged and on a float charge if left for any length of time (even with no load, batteries self-discharge over time). Lead acid batteries love being fully charged and hate deep discharge - the rule of thumb for a lead acid battery is that you should never discharge it to more than half its capacity - hard to tell on a bike and pretty difficult due to the battery really being smaller than is ideal.
But the really golden rule is don't flatten it. Ever. Once you have, you've stuffed it.
All lights and any other electrical drain turned off, ignition on and wait approx four seconds, then hit the starter.
Hornblower
Registered user
Many thanks for the advice, I've tried the waiting a few seconds but it doesn't make any difference. The thing I don't understand is, when I pull away and the ABS doesn't kick in, if I stop the bike and turn off the ignition then turn it on againa and start the bike, when I pull away it always kicks in.
On the other matter, would this item on ebay 250921599038 fit on the back of my R1100GS?
Thanks again for all the help.
Trullion
Registered user
I sorted the problem on my 1100RS by renewing the battery (an eight-year old OEM gel) and the starter motor. I could have got away with just cleaning the latter, but as there was an offer on both the battery and the starter motor I decided to buy one and keep the original as a spare. The old one had started not disengaging properly and turned over relatively slowly.
Result: ABS always fires up without any need to wait and has done for the past year or so. As the original batteries last so long and work fine with a starter in decent order I can't see the point in buying an Odyssey. All I've ever charged my BMW batteries with is a small trickle charger bought from Motorworks years ago.
Result: ABS always fires up without any need to wait and has done for the past year or so. As the original batteries last so long and work fine with a starter in decent order I can't see the point in buying an Odyssey. All I've ever charged my BMW batteries with is a small trickle charger bought from Motorworks years ago.
OT question to the OP...
Are you the same 'Hornblower' who bought my 1150 Adv..?
Are you the same 'Hornblower' who bought my 1150 Adv..?
Pip_UK
Registered user
I think this may because the first start of the day has a bit more internal friction to overcome. Once the engine has spun over a few times and the oil is flowing, there's less load on the starter, and more spare juice to arm the ABS (assuming the battery hasn't run out of puff after the first start)
My 1100 has done this a couple of times in my 11 years of ownership - cold start: no ABS arming; ride for 5 mins and try again, and it worked fine. Keeping the battery charged up helps, but in both cases for me, it was an early warning that the battery was approaching retirement age.
Hornblower
Registered user
Cheers, sounds like I need a new battery, any thoughts on the rack/box question?
Hornblower
Registered user
OT question to the OP...
Are you the same 'Hornblower' who bought my 1150 Adv..?
Yes, it's me! Hi David, never lost the GS bug, just couldn't live with the Adventure - too tall! Saw this R1100GS on ebay for a good price and couldn't resist. Are you with bike right now? Did you ever make it on your big trip?
Hi matey
No, my dad died, so it wasn't possible, but I've been on 3 European trips this year...
One on the Harley, and two on my R100RT.
On the last one I got as far East as Debrecen in Hungary, but my crank case breather valve self destructed (amongst other things!)...
Pay yer £12 and I'll PM you
Hornblower
Registered user
Hi matey
No, my dad died, so it wasn't possible, but I've been on 3 European trips this year...
One on the Harley, and two on my R100RT.
On the last one I got as far East as Debrecen in Hungary, but my crank case breather valve self destructed (amongst other things!)...
Pay yer £12 and I'll PM you
Job done!
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