Steptoe said:
Well said, Neil
Total and Complete Brake Failure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter (RIP) Dennis
- Start date
Well said, Neil
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
Sorry, but it happened a little to quick for me to whip out the manual
Dennis said:Sorry, but it happened a little to quick for me to whip out the manual
You should have had a look while you were stopped on the side of the road trying to reset it.
OK then,who has had a complete brake failure then.No warning lights,nothing,just no brakes at all when you pulled the lever.
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
Vern me old son, I think your missing the point here. Yes the warning light was on, perhaps it would be better to ask how many people have had the warning light on for some other reason than total brake failure.
I for one have had it on for a variety of reasons from switching off the ABS whilst off-road to having an intermittant fault on the stop light. Therefore one does not imediately equate the light being on with complete and total brake failure.
I for one have had it on for a variety of reasons from switching off the ABS whilst off-road to having an intermittant fault on the stop light. Therefore one does not imediately equate the light being on with complete and total brake failure.
Kin ell Dennis - see what you mean. 
I didn't know you could do that Rob. I can see the benefit of ABS, but just can't see the point of servos.Rob Farmer said:
Fair enough. I did say I hadn't tried it! By all accounts the 1200 is better though.
I agree up to a point but I don't think you need to adjust your mindset; the natural "Oh s***t" reaction will be to squeeze harder which is what is required. If you practice first, you know what is going to then happen (hopefully not a hard surface interface).
Paul
I have now devised a simple test for you all with problems understanding the warning lights on your bikes.
If your warning light should come on,do the following:-
1,Select a stout wall
2,Get a run up(100mph should do it)
3,When about 100yards away,hit the brakes as hard as possible
4,If you stop all right,it's probably your brake light bulb playing up
5,If you don't,this will confirm the brakes are not working
If your warning light should come on,do the following:-
1,Select a stout wall
2,Get a run up(100mph should do it)
3,When about 100yards away,hit the brakes as hard as possible
4,If you stop all right,it's probably your brake light bulb playing up
5,If you don't,this will confirm the brakes are not working
Mouse
Registered user
Taff said:Kin ell Dennis - see what you mean.
I didn't know you could do that Rob. I can see the benefit of ABS, but just can't see the point of servos.
On the newer bikes at least, you could rip out the servos but you'll lose the ABS along with it - the two are in a combined unit.
On the 1200 at least, the residual braking is sufficient to stop inside the "Highway Code" stopping distances - I know cos I tried it.
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
Vern, I've got a far better idea, instead og aiming at a wall, why don't you stand there and we will all test out our residual braking on you 
I'm still waiting for the magic person who has had total brake failure without warning,there must be thousands of you by now 
The warning lights started flashing on my '03 1150 when I was out for a run on sunday. I'd done about 60 miles and was sitting at traffic lights when the ABS and 'Warning' lights started flashing alternately.. the brakes were still working OK and I could hear the servo. Pulled over and switched off then started up again and everything was OK for the rest of the day but it's hardly confidence inspiring 
snoopy
Guest
Rob Farmer said:
As I recall they (and the pump) sell new for £1200?
ELIMINATOR
Registered user
Vern, yes it's happened to me. I live 2nd house in from a junction, started up, all lights out once moving, 20 feet later no brakes. When I stopped the lights came on to let me know tha the brakes had failed. Started it up again, light sequence all correct, light went out as I pulled away. Hit the brakes, f u c k all 
, when I did stop, again the lights came on after stopping New pump under warrantee, 6 weeks after having had the original servo replaced.
, when I did stop, again the lights came on after stopping New pump under warrantee, 6 weeks after having had the original servo replaced. 
Rob Farmer said:
Yeah, same here...........
And that final drive oil seal, that pisses oil all over your rear tyre.........
And that mega rear pivot bearing, that collapses when you are miles from home......
And that poxy tail light holder that screws up the ABS warning lights...........
The corroded fork brace, fork legs, front engine cover.........and not forgetting the crap lights............they can all go........
Seriously, I know what you mean. I wish I had never bought a 'bike with servo assisted ABS.
Bezzler
Guest
Guess I'll be fuging magic then! I've had it twice so far, and mine has'nt got servos. Both at fairly low speed, the lever felt like someone had jammed a bit of wood between it and the bars, solid. first time I thought it was me, all very quick. 2nd time I knew it was'nt, but the spanish bike cop who I sailed past, while he was stationary at a ped. crossing did'nt seem amused either.Vern said:I'm still waiting for the magic person who has had total brake failure without warning,there must be thousands of you by now
Bmw checked it out could not find any probs so gave me a new ABS unit under warrenty, been fine ever since.
Oh yeh not a glimmer of a light anywhere.
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
So I guess it is not too unreasonable to conclude from all the foregoing that BMW's brake system sucks. Over complicated and unreliable, truth is it wouldn't happen on a Honda! 
snoopy
Guest
Dennis said:So I guess it is not too unreasonable to conclude from all the foregoing that BMW's brake system sucks. Over complicated and unreliable, truth is it wouldn't happen on a Honda!
Opinions are like BMW Servo systems, and nearly everybody has one.
ELIMINATOR
Registered user
Mine wasn't an opinion, ask my pants.
essbee
Registered user
Me TOO
Vern - mine went twice last year. 03 1150 GS with 11K on clock - about 4 months out of warranty. Had no warning at all both times. Brake light fail came up as brake operated. Nice to know have confirmed what your ass is saying 'NO Fkin BRAKES'. Luckily low speed and not too near other traffic, but almost shot right on past fuel station I was trying to pull in to. BMW told me intermittent faul and seems to have fixed itself!!! Cost me £60. I was not at all surprised system failed again about 40 miles later. BMW Customer Services paid for a complete new unit (an upgrade to the original). That was the right thing for them to do but I have not gained anything and feel should not have been allowed to find this out for myself as the fault is now very well known about. This would be an expensive recall but somebody out there is going to get this and not survive. The easiest thing for the investigators to say would be that the bike was being driven too fast - no mechanical fault to be found on an almost brand new motorcycle. Something must be done - even if the servo/abs has to be removed from all bikes completely with compensation.
Vern - mine went twice last year. 03 1150 GS with 11K on clock - about 4 months out of warranty. Had no warning at all both times. Brake light fail came up as brake operated. Nice to know have confirmed what your ass is saying 'NO Fkin BRAKES'. Luckily low speed and not too near other traffic, but almost shot right on past fuel station I was trying to pull in to. BMW told me intermittent faul and seems to have fixed itself!!! Cost me £60. I was not at all surprised system failed again about 40 miles later. BMW Customer Services paid for a complete new unit (an upgrade to the original). That was the right thing for them to do but I have not gained anything and feel should not have been allowed to find this out for myself as the fault is now very well known about. This would be an expensive recall but somebody out there is going to get this and not survive. The easiest thing for the investigators to say would be that the bike was being driven too fast - no mechanical fault to be found on an almost brand new motorcycle. Something must be done - even if the servo/abs has to be removed from all bikes completely with compensation.
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
Vern! are you getting this? 
Similar threads
