Should i buy a gsa with a servo.

[Paul Young]

... perhaps he meant 'still work' when the unit fails (like mine didnt going into that corner at 60mph, residual braking hahahahahahahahaha what a joke)

That just what I meant, thanks for clarifying. There isn't any back up that provides an acceptable safety net for when the electric servo throws a fit. I trust mechanics much more than electrics...

Apologies to the OP. I didn't mean to throw the thread off topic, but you can see that there is a wide divergence of acceptance & opinion regarding the electric servo brakes. Thank goodness BMW rethought the idea & stopped fitting them...

 

[scifilord]

Hi guys, thanks for all the input. The opinion does seem to be split down the middle on this one .

Well i took a servo/abs gsa out yesterday and have to say i found the brakes to bo ok.

Got to say, i did not like the whine from the servo when holding the bike on the brakes. However did not find them too snatchy but i do have a doubt in the back of my mind about them failing and that was putting me off.

I have come to a decision that i do still want ABS but not a servo. So will have to wait for a non servo one to come up for sale.

 

[MikeP]

Hi guys, thanks for all the input. The opinion does seem to be split down the middle on this one.

I doubt it. I'd guess that the vast majority who have had no problems didn't respond.

Got to say, i did not like the whine from the servo when holding the bike on the brakes.

Wear earplugs.

However did not find them too snatchy but i do have a doubt in the back of my mind about them failing and that was putting me off.

The odds suggest that you are far more likely to be taken-out by a fellow motorist than you are to suffer a servo failure, best not ride at all.

 

[Timolgra]

Hi guys, thanks for all the input. The opinion does seem to be split down the middle on this one .

Well i took a servo/abs gsa out yesterday and have to say i found the brakes to bo ok.

Got to say, i did not like the whine from the servo when holding the bike on the brakes. However did not find them too snatchy but i do have a doubt in the back of my mind about them failing and that was putting me off.

I have come to a decision that i do still want ABS but not a servo. So will have to wait for a non servo one to come up for sale.

Good decision, I've had four 1150s.
The last two were fitted with servos and both were removed for all the above reasons, also finding yourself in a difficult situation offroad or even on road on a steep hill, in neutral with the engine off.....and no fecking brakes.

A shite design for an adventure bike IMO

 

[roddy]

.....Got to say, i did not like the whine from the servo when holding the bike on the brakes......

If your holding the bike on the brakes use the back brake, once this is upto pressure the servo cuts off, you'll find you tune the servo whine out, helps if you happen to wear earplugs.

I found with the servo below about 20-25mph ish only use the back brake, theres enough power there to control the bike.

personnaly I wouldn't not buy the bike you want because it has the servo

 

[ahutcheon]

also finding yourself in a difficult situation offroad or even on road on a steep hill, in neutral with the engine off.....and no fecking brakes.

Luckily I lack the presence of mind to turn the ignition off when I've stalled in some awkward, steep situation. The servo keeps running whether or not the engine is turning. And the residual braking isn't *that* bad. No worse than early seventies CB550 Hondas (although mayhap they were death traps).

 

[robc]

I'd buy one.

I have an 02 GS with ABS and no servo and an 02 RT with ABS and servo. They both feel very different from each other such as the back brake on the RT being much too sensitive - nearly throws me over the bars if I put a few grams too much pressure on the pedal.

Either way, I like ABS and wouldn't want to be without it.

Just my 2p worth.

Regards

Rob C

 

[MikeP]

I have an 02 GS with ABS and no servo and an 02 RT with ABS and servo. They both feel very different from each other such as the back brake on the RT being much too sensitive - nearly throws me over the bars if I put a few grams too much pressure on the pedal.

I stand to be corrected but I think that operating the "rear" brake on an RT operates both front and rear.

 

[robc]

Hi MikeP,
I've seen no reference to linked brakes in the Owners Manual.

The rear brake is just very sharp and very powerful.

Next time I get the bike out I'll put it on the centre stand, step on the rear brake and volunteer one of the children to spin the front wheel. Then we'll (or wheel) know once and for all.

Regards

Rob C

 

[gabriel_gs]

Hi guys, thanks for all the input. The opinion does seem to be split down the middle on this one .

Well i took a servo/abs gsa out yesterday and have to say i found the brakes to bo ok.

Got to say, i did not like the whine from the servo when holding the bike on the brakes. However did not find them too snatchy but i do have a doubt in the back of my mind about them failing and that was putting me off.

I have come to a decision that i do still want ABS but not a servo. So will have to wait for a non servo one to come up for sale.

Bear in mind as with ANY forum the positive to Negative ratio is MASSIVELY skewed

Absolutely NOT suggesting those with negative experiences are not rightly concerned, but would suggest there is a far bigger percentage of folks who've had no issues at all... like me - 2 GSs and no servo issues.... fingers crossed

As they say, with anything, you takes your chances... Live a little.

 

[MikeP]

Hi MikeP,
I've seen no reference to linked brakes in the Owners Manual.

The R1150RT has BMW’s latest EVO braking system with twin 320mm front discs, four piston front callipers, sintered pads, electro-hydraulic servo-assistance and integral ABS. This is the most complex system yet fitted to a bike, and it certainly works well, but lacks the feel that I’d like on a bike of this size and weight. They’re also linked front-to-rear, so whether you pull the front lever, stamp on the back pedal, or both, the effect is just the same.

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/BMW R1150RT.htm



The later version has more feel to address the 'too sharp' criticism.

 

[robc]

I will still check. I won't believe it simply because it's written by a reviewer. I mean, it says at the bottom the RT gets 56MPG. HA! I get about 48 cruising on the motorway.

It'll give me something to do at the weekend.

Regards

Rob C

 

[MikeP]

I will still check. I won't believe it simply because it's written by a reviewer. I mean, it says at the bottom the RT gets 56MPG.

Fine (most reviewers rely on the manufacturers spec-sheet for the details).

I think that you'll find that of the servo-ABS bikes, only the GS has a semi-linked system. The rest are fully-linked.

 

[Richard J]

Not quite correct. My 2003 1150 RS is partialy linked only.
Rear pedal ONLY does rear brake

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Back on topic.........................don't bother with a Servo ABS bike

Even BMW stopped fitting it in 2005/2006

Speaks volumes for me

 

[DutchBryn]

Like many ideas, they (servoes) were a good idea in theory.

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
But in practice, there is.

Homer (Simpson).


Anyway, no good asking us. Gotta take your own view regarding safety-critical issues.

 

[MikeP]

Not quite correct. My 2003 1150 RS is partialy linked only.
Rear pedal ONLY does rear brake

I stand corrected, the spec's show the RS as having "partial integrated" brakes.

We live and learn.

 

[robc]

Another day and another thing learned:

My 2002 RT's brakes ARE fully linked. I tested yesterday, regardless of whether the hand brake or foot brake is operated BOTH wheels are braked.

That'll explain why my GS's rear brake feels a bit weak. I always thought it was simply down to servo assistance making RT's rear brake sharper.

Regards

Rob C

 

[Avventuri]

2003 GS with 28.000 km on the clock.

Amazing brakes, no problem with the servo or ABS what-so-ever.


Morten


PS. Well, except an intermittent warning light that was caused by a piece-of-crap LED taillight from www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk. :-D

 

[chad]

2003 GS with 28.000 km on the clock.

Amazing brakes, no problem with the servo or ABS what-so-ever.


Morten


PS. Well, except an intermittent warning light that was caused by a piece-of-crap LED taillight from www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk. :-D

so come on then who was it from ?????????