Servo failed (sort of)

[Tim Cullis]

Having just done the BMW Off Road Course, I had some TKC80 tyres fitted on Saturday, so naturally tested some byways on the way home. I quickly found out that mud over wet chalk isn't the same as riding in a Welsh open cast coal mine, and came a cropper (or three).

Steve helped pick up the bike on the worst of these and straightened the hand protectors. When we got back to sealed roads I was dismayed to find the brake servo had failed-- I can confirm that residual braking is frightening and all stops seemed to take twice the distance.

Later that evening I was thinking about the failure and wandered down to the garage to see whether there was any obvious damage. What I found was that the hand protector was still out of position and the brake lever was fouling the protector, not allowing it to fully extend. When I sorted the protector the servo miraculously started working again.

Tim

 

[wilbjr21]

You may have been on the same course as me (Easter Sunday and Monday). Absolutely marvellous time was had with top notch instructors. If your warning triangle was illuminated after the start-up routine your brake switch may have be operated because of the lever being displaced. This may explain the servo brake system not activating. It's also quite easy to fall off in the some of the more severe course trails!!

 

[Clive]

I had some TKC80 tyres fitted on Saturday, so naturally tested some byways on the way home.

Warning - this activity is addictive

 

[Shep]

Hi all

Yep i've had the hand guard problem, also if you get mud off your boot on the rear brake switch it can also give the same effect (ie residual braking only.)

Still its all good clean fun!!!

Regards Shep

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi all

Yep i've had the hand guard problem, also if you get mud off your boot on the rear brake switch it can also give the same effect (ie residual braking only.)

Still its all good clean fun!!!

Regards Shep

Except when you can't stop the bike !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mouse]

Didn't the rapidly flashing light saying "BRAKE FAILURE" warn you that the brakes hadn't initialised? Or did the light fail too? If it did, that's a serious problem - otherwise, I rather feel it's a case of RTFM

 

[Tim Cullis]

The 'brake failure' light was flashing.

You may have been on the same course as me (Easter Sunday and Monday).

No, we were on the earlier group the previous couple of days, see http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41151

Tim

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

Sounds like this Model is really Over Engineered for Off Road Use

 

[Mr K]

..............and servo didn't fail?

 

[Alex]

It is actually a known fact. BMW dealer personel in Greece
informed me of I should be aware of this problem upon delivery
of a new bike. That doesn't make it ok, but it's something.

 

[motozen]

To say this is a servo failure is misleading. The brake test at startup cannot be completed if the brake lever is partially engaged due to dumping the bike and pushing the hand guards against the lever.

 

[GSmonkey]

The service guys a Vines also warned me about this.....apparently its their main cause of 'brake failure'. Quite common with even on road antics of wing mirror clipping.

 

[Howard Millichap]

Doesn't sound very safe to me. Is there no warning at all that you've only got "residual" (no brakes) braking?
I honestly think BMW urgently needs to rethink this servo route. IMHO the sooner they get back to conventional brakes the better. Maybe BMW are catering for the arthritic over 70's...................by trying to bump 'en off early.

 

[wilbjr21]

Another axe to grind methinks. A big red triangle tells you when your on residual braking. Servo brakes are wonderful so there - and this is the way that the ABS function (also wonderful) works. This ABS is the best on any motorcycle.

 

[themadprofessor]

I think if I started up my 1200GS and the red lights carried on flashing. I would find out what was happening and fix it instead of riding off.

In fact the petrol warning light confused me one afternoon. Came home, knew fuel was lowish but not yet on reserve. Came out later and when I started up I got the yellow flashing warning. I immediately turned the engine off and investigated.

Realised what it was - and went and filled up.

Don't understand people who ignore large flashing red lights...................


Chris