Servo brakes .. are they that unreliable?

Bryn

Bryn

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So having read a few threads about the servo brakes.... my new aquisition has them....

I've got warranty which is exendable so cost of repair will be covered IF they fail... but how likely is it?
;)
 
Bryn said:
So having read a few threads about the servo brakes.... my new aquisition has them....

I've got warranty which is exendable so cost of repair will be covered IF they fail... but how likely is it?
;)
Click to expand...
Unreliable,only if your bike cuts out..:nenau
 
Probably answered my own question by searching through a few threads.... some like 'em, some don't... :)
 
50149 Miles on my R1200GS 2006 model so far and no problems with the brakes!

Ian
 
cant complain about them they certainly haul my 1150GSA better than the brembo set up on the 990ADV i had:cool::cool::cool:
 
Not had any problems with mine on an 05 GS
 
Servo's

I had one of the early 1200GS's with servo; I was very impressed by their performance and how easy it was to achieve smooth braking; however my 2008 model does not have the servos - either the brakes have improved or I have because I really don't notice any difference. The servo was thoroughly reliable and even without it the brakes were very good.
 
When they are working they are fine, although no better than non servo later bikes having had both. However went to Morocco with three of us on 1200GS. Ian pulls away from fuel stop, brakes won't come on and servo assist and without it there are no brakes to speak of. Tried switch off and re start three times - no joy. Noticed the brake light is on - had a grain of sand in the front brake light switch, holding the light on making the system think the lever is being pulled, so it wouldn't set the brakes up. Cleaned out the switch and all was well, off we went.

Bit worryign though that one grain of sand can bring you to a stop...
 
I don't really remember hearing too much about them failing, most people had a problem with the fact that 'if' they fail you are screwed.
 
I'm happy I've got the option of renewing the BMW warranty when it expires in July....apparrently a servo costs £1600 to replace :eek:

(from a friendly BMW service manager) :thumb

No problems with the braking though.... hope it stays that way :augie
 
DavidJames said:
... most people had a problem with the fact that 'if' they fail you are screwed. ...
Click to expand...

And the fact that there's no way telling WHEN they will fail.
My servo went at +/- 50000 km in busy traffic, but I got out of it safely.
A friend of mine's servo (R1150R) went at a roundabout, and he coasted right over it.
He didn't end up well, had to have back surgery.
A Dutch formum member (GS) ended up with broken ribs.
Do a search, and you'll find more examples.

The system has a very high stopping power, but is not fail safe.
There are 2 major sources of brake failure :
- either low charge on your battery (with the handbrake 2 electric pumps need juice)
- either the brake pump goes.
In both cases, there is no warning PRIOR to failure. Warning lights come on AS YOU BRAKE.

On September 13th 2004 BMW quality manager Robert Kahlenberg stated in an internal mail that
„Das System ist in seinen Auswirkungen und Rückfallebenen ungenügend konzipiert.“ Source : Süddeutsche Zeitung July 4th 2005.
Translated (liberally) : the system is ill conceived in the way it functions and in its' fall back levels (= residual braking power).
The servo brake system was abandoned in production year 2007.

It's remarkable how owners state : 'My brakes work perfectly'.
These brakes inspire immense confidence, right upto the moment that they fail.
I sold my bike as soon as the brake servo was repaired.
I'm not riding around with a brake system that's unreliable.

The friend mentioned above is still suffering the consequences of brake failure.
I'm organizing a one day trip tomorrow, and he won't be joining us because of continuing back pain.

Sorry if I carried on a bit.
You need to know this.
 
".......apparrently a servo costs £1600 to replace....." If that is true then that is an obvious reason to redesign the system without it - which they seem to have done; My servo 'failed' when it was put out of action by the handguard touching the brake lever. I was on th way to the dealer when I realised what hd happened - without any servo the brakes were still quite adequate - but then again that depends on your style of driving. It is same for ABS, helmets, armoured clothing, (or seat belts in a car.) We have them but hope never to need them.
 
The servo does seem to be an unneccesary complication, it's expensive to replace and makes bleeding brakes more difficult.
I have the servos on my 6 year old 1150GS, up to now no problems, and until recently I had them bled every year when the MOT was done by the BMW dealer. I've now bought some equipment to enable me to bleed them myself.
I wonder what percentage of bikes sold have had a failure of this system, if it's 10% thats quite a lot.
 
Brian ROSEN said:
"... but then again that depends on your style of driving. ...
Click to expand...

Oh, please, not this 'it's your driving style' bit again.
I can't hear it anymore. :mad:

The brake system failure is not down to driver usage or driving style.
The outcome is decided by the situation you are in.

Brian ROSEN said:
" ... same for ... helmets, armoured clothing, (or seat belts in a car.) We have them but hope never to need them. ...
Click to expand...

The difference being that I need my brakes all the time.
Helmets, clothing, belts only have to function once. Imagine a helmet breaking when you put it on, armoured clothing that rips as you wear it, seat belts that snap.

I'm not going to discuss this further. Fed up.
 
Mine's already had an ABS pump... one of a few warrranty bits .. like new discs, two batteries, fuel cap, exhaust and all the recalls.. so its like new :D
 
Bryn said:
Mine's already had an ABS pump... one of a few warrranty bits .. like new discs, two batteries, fuel cap, exhaust and all the recalls.. so its like new :D
Click to expand...

How much warranty work did you last bike have;)

I had a Servo ABS bike (1150GS) in 2004.................I soon realised i'd made a major purchasing error as I thought the servo brakes must be an improvement

How wrong I was

I had no loss of braking.......................ever

But the brakes were really bad.....................too fierce and not finesse

Sold it in 6 months:mmmm
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
How much warranty work did you last bike have;)

I had a Servo ABS bike (1150GS) in 2004.................I soon realised i'd made a major purchasing error as I thought the servo brakes must be an improvement

How wrong I was

I had no loss of braking.......................ever

But the brakes were really bad.....................too fierce and not finesse

Sold it in 6 months:mmmm
Click to expand...

None ;) don't regret the change (yet :augie)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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