Spot on!
Servo brakes.
- Thread starter davegs
- Start date
Spot on!
sven
Registered user
It took me quite a while to get used to the servo assisted brakes on my K as they lack feel, so were "all or nothing" until I learnt to brake with one finger most of the time.
Their real advantage is when loaded up with luggage and/or a pillion. The way they haul the bike up from very high speeds is amazing. The non-servo R1200GS I had as a courtesy bike a while ago felt positively dangerous two-up in comparison
Mine did suffer a servo failure which was very dangerous as the ABS released the brakes leaving only the residual braking force - not much use for hauling up the bike from speed
Their real advantage is when loaded up with luggage and/or a pillion. The way they haul the bike up from very high speeds is amazing. The non-servo R1200GS I had as a courtesy bike a while ago felt positively dangerous two-up in comparison
Mine did suffer a servo failure which was very dangerous as the ABS released the brakes leaving only the residual braking force - not much use for hauling up the bike from speed
... I have a Jan '06 12GS with servo. I had previously used them on a R1100S and became totally sold on them.
... I am dismayed that BMW 'caved' in the face of luddite whingeing.
... Servo assisted brake systems have been around for years and are generally very reliable. What modern car is not fitted with a brake system servo and I am struggling to recall a publicised instance of failure.
... Sure the pump makes a bit of noise, it's mounted on a motorcycle FFS. Next thing you know people will complain they can hear the engine running
... Yes, if you lose the power-assist stopping power is dramatically reduced, it is the same for cars. Why a few GSs had problems I don't know, but scrapping the system entirely, rather than resolving the specific issue, was a bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
... Servo with ABS makes for a stunningly powerful and confidence inspiring set of stoppers.
... People who complain of harsh snatchy braking should learn better control, the rider is the problem not the brakes.
I totally agree, if you come off riding a bike with no servo onto a bike that has then yes, you may find them a bit harsh, but only the first time. As for the people complaining about the noise, (wotabunchoftossr's.) It's different granted.
It's all a matter of control. I love them. When you need to do an emergency stop, knowing you have a servo assisted ABS system is the way to go. They have saved weight by not having it so they can put the ESA system on. Same as that stupid wiring loom Lan-bus....
Next BMW will adopt to changing the indicators on the big GS's, then give it normal forks, a chain perhaps...just to go with the masses? I hope not.....
Chris Terry
Registered user
... I have a Jan '06 12GS with servo. I had previously used them on a R1100S and became totally sold on them.
... I am dismayed that BMW 'caved' in the face of luddite whingeing.
... Servo assisted brake systems have been around for years and are generally very reliable. What modern car is not fitted with a brake system servo and I am struggling to recall a publicised instance of failure.
... Sure the pump makes a bit of noise, it's mounted on a motorcycle FFS. Next thing you know people will complain they can hear the engine running
... Yes, if you lose the power-assist stopping power is dramatically reduced, it is the same for cars. Why a few GSs had problems I don't know, but scrapping the system entirely, rather than resolving the specific issue, was a bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
... Servo with ABS makes for a stunningly powerful and confidence inspiring set of stoppers.
... People who complain of harsh snatchy braking should learn better control, the rider is the problem not the brakes.
My sentiments exactly
... I am dismayed that BMW 'caved' in the face of luddite whingeing.
...... People who complain of harsh snatchy braking should learn better control, the rider is the problem not the brakes.
Hardly luddite to insist that a braking system should be fail safe.
Sure the servo make for very powerful brakes which only need a little use before you become accustomed to them, after that they are brilliant. The point is, the newer latest BMW ABS system is just as good (and maybe better cos it has a bit more feel). It's called progress, soon they'll offer standard bike switchgear for the non-contortionists amongst us
Brakes are a matter of feel and what you get used to. My Boxer Cup had servo`s and the brakes were superb, loads of feel and bite. My 1150GS-A also with servo`s were brilliant but grabbed at low speeds. The whining never bothered me (unlike the ex wife).
My 1200GS-A has no servo`s and the brakes are still excellent and equally as powerful as the old servo units. Two finger braking is all I use but maybe I`ve got big fingers.
In my book, it`s less to potentially go wrong!
.My 1200GS-A has no servo`s and the brakes are still excellent and equally as powerful as the old servo units. Two finger braking is all I use but maybe I`ve got big fingers
.In my book, it`s less to potentially go wrong!
TrickyWoo
Guest
Mine's an 05 with servo assist and I love it. I've only had the GS for a few weeks and around 1000 miles but I got used to the two finger braking in minutes. Best brakes on any bike I've had and having ABS is a Brucie bonus too although from what statistics I've seen, knowing you have ABS can in itself cause more accidents due to the extra confidece factor. Bit spooked about the failure talk though.
The noise doesn't bug me with earplugs in at all.
The noise doesn't bug me with earplugs in at all.
alimey4u2
Registered user
millard
Registered user
... I have a Jan '06 12GS with servo. I had previously used them on a R1100S and became totally sold on them.
... I am dismayed that BMW 'caved' in the face of luddite whingeing.
... Servo assisted brake systems have been around for years and are generally very reliable. What modern car is not fitted with a brake system servo and I am struggling to recall a publicised instance of failure.
... Sure the pump makes a bit of noise, it's mounted on a motorcycle FFS. Next thing you know people will complain they can hear the engine running
... Yes, if you lose the power-assist stopping power is dramatically reduced, it is the same for cars. Why a few GSs had problems I don't know, but scrapping the system entirely, rather than resolving the specific issue, was a bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
... Servo with ABS makes for a stunningly powerful and confidence inspiring set of stoppers.
... People who complain of harsh snatchy braking should learn better control, the rider is the problem not the brakes.
+1
nemezis
Guest
production date mid August 2006.
patzx12
Registered user
I have a 1200GS without linked brakes or ABS.
A 1200GSA with Servo linked ABS
and a K1200GT with linked ABS non servo.
All the bikes are great on the brakes mainly due to the unconventional suspension which allows the brakes to work without a lot of dive. This also makes the rear brake effective, I hardly used to use the rear brake on my ZX12's and certainly never for high speed brakeing.
I do like the servo setup but I think it should have beed designed fail safe. The system should have been designed using 2 parallel systems, 2 brains, 2 survos etc. so if one system failed you would always have at least one front servo controlled disc.
A 1200GSA with Servo linked ABS
and a K1200GT with linked ABS non servo.
All the bikes are great on the brakes mainly due to the unconventional suspension which allows the brakes to work without a lot of dive. This also makes the rear brake effective, I hardly used to use the rear brake on my ZX12's and certainly never for high speed brakeing.
I do like the servo setup but I think it should have beed designed fail safe. The system should have been designed using 2 parallel systems, 2 brains, 2 survos etc. so if one system failed you would always have at least one front servo controlled disc.
Patventure
Registered user
2 cents
my June 2006 GS12A has the servo/ABS system and whilst i like the power, the possibility of servo failure worries me. I like things to be mechanical (which of course begs the question 'why did i buy one of these....?')
the noise is annoying, and it's a noise that sounds like something damaged, the equivalent of a loose fan belt/alternator failing on a car.
seeing as i like the bike otherwise, i wonder what i'll do after some years, or indeed if the servo fails after the warranty period? Does anyone offer an alternative system? it's possible to buy completely different braking systems for super bikes, for instance. The idea of radial brakes and levers on the GSA is pretty cool! Losing the ABS is an issue, but most other bikes do without it.
I'll not do anything about until i need to, but i understand that the servo pump costs a four figure sum.
Patrick.
my June 2006 GS12A has the servo/ABS system and whilst i like the power, the possibility of servo failure worries me. I like things to be mechanical (which of course begs the question 'why did i buy one of these....?')
the noise is annoying, and it's a noise that sounds like something damaged, the equivalent of a loose fan belt/alternator failing on a car.
seeing as i like the bike otherwise, i wonder what i'll do after some years, or indeed if the servo fails after the warranty period? Does anyone offer an alternative system? it's possible to buy completely different braking systems for super bikes, for instance. The idea of radial brakes and levers on the GSA is pretty cool! Losing the ABS is an issue, but most other bikes do without it.
I'll not do anything about until i need to, but i understand that the servo pump costs a four figure sum.
Patrick.
guernseybozrah
Guest
Model year 07
05GS and love the servo brakes, after a couple of outings being extra gentle on the lever to get used to the soft feel. The failure issue is a bit worrying though, as is the handguard issue on the levers (did check and it was starting to foul the clutch lever).
Design problems do not seem to be a valid reason to drop the technology if it is any good, just make it work right and safely. Maybe BMW found that most people don't like the servo or simply don't care (why spend the money if no sales benefit).
Anyway, it works for me so no complaints here!
Design problems do not seem to be a valid reason to drop the technology if it is any good, just make it work right and safely. Maybe BMW found that most people don't like the servo or simply don't care (why spend the money if no sales benefit).
Anyway, it works for me so no complaints here!
MOTOTECH
Registered user
If the pump fails you really have 3 options.
1. New pump-£1200 plus fitting
2. 2nd hand pump-no guarantee it'll last
3. Do away with ABS altogether & end up with a propper mechanical braking system.
Re-plumbing the braking system to remove the ABS isn't a massive job, I've recently done 2. You would be amazed how many bikes I look at the ABS history & it has never been activated, or only for 1 or 2 seconds in the bikes life.
Brian
www.moto-tech.biz
Patventure
Registered user
Thanks Brian
That sums up my position entirely. Hopefully not need to ask about it anytime soon, but it's good to know
Patrick.
That sums up my position entirely. Hopefully not need to ask about it anytime soon, but it's good to know
Patrick.
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