I am looking to buy a 1150GS with Servo Brakes, please can I have peoples opinions on these type of brakes, good or bad?
Thanks Kingo
Thanks Kingo
Servo Brakes
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Stewart H
Registered user
They do seem to be a bone of contention for some, try searching the forum 
My goodness. Second post & he goes for the jugular... Brave man, but you may not get the response you are hoping for. There's a reason for them no longer being fitted 
There's some who like them, many don't.
Most dislike the whiring electric pump and all the faff that entails from not being able to touch the brakes when starting up.
Most dislike the whiring electric pump and all the faff that entails from not being able to touch the brakes when starting up.
DollyRocket
Registered user
I love them - until they pack up, then it is very expensive and annoying. I have it all ripped out and so much better...
Note - It is not *if* they break down - It is *When*!
Note - It is not *if* they break down - It is *When*!
ahutcheon
Registered user
I have them, I'm happy with them, they don't bother me. There are instructions on here for a no-cost servo removal, so I've got a fallback plan (albeit losing the ABS) if they do go wrong.
Mutley
Registered user
chad
Registered user
by the bike , ride it the servo may never go wrong.
if it does its a simple no cost removal that has the advantage a 5kg loss of weight and a vast improvement of feel on the front brakes , and power and feel on the rear brakes
above all just buy the bike you want ride it and enjoy it
if it does its a simple no cost removal that has the advantage a 5kg loss of weight and a vast improvement of feel on the front brakes , and power and feel on the rear brakes
above all just buy the bike you want ride it and enjoy it
Canuck
Registered user
I like the servo on mine... but when it goes wrong (in however many miles) I'll just take it off and plumb in normal brakes... no worries! So don't be put off buying a bike because of the brakes!
ahutcheon
Registered user
I can't see any benefit in the servo. ABS, yes, but the servo is just something else to go wrong that brings no benefit
It was 2003, I fancied a new bike, I wanted ABS so didn't have a choice on the servo bit. Maybe semi-linked (front brake also brings on the back, but the back operates alone) brakes are a benefit for someone?
Great while they worked, as other say, there is an easy to do removal process.
Benefits - good, low effort braking, ABS,
Challenges ( all more of a concern as the bikes are getting older) - harder to bleed the brakes, chance of servo failing, in my case, no servo brakes until after you've moved forward a couple of feet, I believe there is a higher battery drain..
As others also say, buy one, don't worry about it, strip it off once it packs in.
Benefits - good, low effort braking, ABS,
Challenges ( all more of a concern as the bikes are getting older) - harder to bleed the brakes, chance of servo failing, in my case, no servo brakes until after you've moved forward a couple of feet, I believe there is a higher battery drain..
As others also say, buy one, don't worry about it, strip it off once it packs in.
You've just got to hope that the moment they choose to go wrong is one that doesn't affect your life expectancy too much...
Mick_rw
Registered user
Am going to regret this....
I have owned 2 1150GS's with servo brakes, between the two of them I have covered in excess of 100,000 miles and never had any problems.......
Servo's are full functional as soon as you turn on the ignition. The ABS will be fully funtional after it completes the final test, which is when set the bike in motion.
Once you turn on the ignition and the first part of the ABS test has completed there is no problem holding the brakes whilst you start the engine...
IMOA I don't see any problems with the servo brakes, just like any piece of technology they can fail......
You will enjoy more fun with the 1150GS than the 1200GS.....
I have owned 2 1150GS's with servo brakes, between the two of them I have covered in excess of 100,000 miles and never had any problems.......
Servo's are full functional as soon as you turn on the ignition. The ABS will be fully funtional after it completes the final test, which is when set the bike in motion.
Once you turn on the ignition and the first part of the ABS test has completed there is no problem holding the brakes whilst you start the engine...
IMOA I don't see any problems with the servo brakes, just like any piece of technology they can fail......
You will enjoy more fun with the 1150GS than the 1200GS.....
True for some, no doubt, but YMMV!
I also had a K1200S with servo brakes - not a great experience either, with the limited ability to apply brakes in a linear and predictable fashion being even more useless when the brakes are that powerful.
Big Al Litch
Registered user
Bought my GS in 2003 and specified the ABS option which of course included the servo brakes. Like many others on here I really like them but if the unit packs in one day I will just re-plumb the system and go back to basics. That said, long may it continue to operate as it should.
I agree!
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