ABS RUINED my undershorts...

[israel]

I was just wondering, how many people have actually crashed, dumped
etc their bikes becouse of the ABS? ?
I was coming to an intersection pulled on my brakes and the bike
just went as if nothing had been applied, cars were going by fast and
I swear it was scary. Then of its own bolition the damned bike decided to
stop... ON a dime, pronto! ! But not fast enough to save my shorts....
I like abs, It probably has saved me lots of times without me being aware
of it. Then again, maybe not.

[bmerchant]

This isn't anything to do with the ABS, but is the power supply to the brakes.

It's happened to me twice now - once on my RT, and once on this bike.

On my RT which was inside warranty got looked at by a genuine BMW techy. He explained how it worked, and what can cause the apparent failure. One such scenario is starting the engine with the brake lever in. This stops the system setting itself. It will however reset in half a rev of the wheel as soon as you release the lever.

It was a convincing enough explanation, but I was still not totally happy. Nevertheless I bought another bike with the same brakes.

That second failure was at slow speed too, and seemed to reset.

If it ever failed at speed then I think (assuming I survived) I might reconsider the unneccessary complication.

[Jax]

I sold my 2002, 1150RT because of those servo assist brakes. I have been riding since I was 21 (33 years of riding when I sold it) and had ridden over 500k miles without a problem but I could not get used to those grabby brakes.
Sold the RT and bought a non-ABS R1150R. Unfortunately, all of the ABS models now come with the servo assist feature.
No thank you! Be careful........those damned brakes can cause you problems.

[fnfalman]

I guess I still am a believer in ABS but not in the current setup with the linked brakes and servo. The more I ride the less thrilled I am with the servo mechanism and the linked brakes. I can apply the front brake lever with my hand and the rear brake lever with my foot altogether just fine, thank you very much.

[ebiker]

From "Jax":

I sold my 2002, 1150RT because of those servo assist brakes<SNIP>and bought a non-ABS R1150R

Me too!! Only it was a '02 K1200RS that I traded onto a '05 R1150R without ABS. When necessary, I can stop my Roadster damn near on a dime........without power (servo) assist.

My 900lb 2006 GL1800 with ABS and linked brakes stops in a hurry, too. '05 HD Road King that I've ridden has very good brakes, when dual disc front brake is used as designed. Victory Vegas bike with Brembo brakes I road tested a few years ago had more than adequate stopping power.

So......what's with the grabby, prone to malfunction servo assist brakes on BMW motorcycles??

Ed..

[CycleRob]

My problem was acclimating from my single disk full squeeze front braked VX-800 to the 1150R's extremely powerful dual disk brakes. I was locking and skidding the front wheel on panic stops. It took almost a year's worth of riding to not make that reflex action mistake.

I declined getting ABS because of the $2,000 difference -but- mostly because linked brakes make me crazy. I absolutely hated the rear brake going on when I squeezed only the front brake. It's meant for novices. It really seems to annoy most experienced riders. Linking isn't required for a sophisticated AB System. When I squeeze only the front brake -or- only the rear brake, I want exactly those independant actions and exactly as hard as I want each of them to work. If you've ever overcooked a corner and needed to modulate both brakes while almost sliding into a near lowside to stay on the road, you know what I mean.

On the flip side, ABS is a lifesaver in a straight on panic stop. Bottom line . . . . you pays your money and you makes your choice. Be careful out there.

[Marcus]

I was coming to an intersection pulled on my brakes and the bike just went as if nothing had been applied, cars were going by fast and I swear it was scary. Then of its own bolition the damned bike decided to stop... ON a dime, pronto! !

Hey Israel,

As you were approaching the intersection, was the road a little bumpy or rippled? From my own experience and info pulled off this forum, it appears that because of the rippled pavement, the ABS system thinks the wheels are locking up when for a split second, the tyre surface loses contact with the pavement as it "bounces" on the bumps and consequently releases the brake pressure. A fraction of a second later, it reapplies the brakes and the bike stops hard. The system is extremely sensitive.

Initially, I thought the brakes were grabby and frustrating especially at low speeds but after riding a friend's CBR and later a Hayabusa, I began to really like them. I've been practising a lot to get used to the grabiness and little by little they're becoming more comfortable to use.

Marcus

[FirstBMW]

Perhaps I am not experienced enough, but I think the linked servo-assited breaks on the R are fantastic. The ABS has saved me twice. I would not want a bike that had different breaks.
Maybe if I ride more I will start to dislike them, but 50,000Km says I like them just the way they are.

To each his own.

[barfpuke]

speaking of the servo assisted brakes. is it normal to hear the servo whine when the brakes are applied. I can only hear it when I'm not wearing earplugs.

[FirstBMW]

Short answer.......yes.

[Airman]

I like the ABS, but I think the servo powered brakes are dangerous at low speeds, like turning around in the gas station. I use the back brake only at slow speeds. Mine will lock the front wheel suddenly and down you go. I never let anyone else ride it for this reason. Too touchy. I would not like fully linked brakes. I'm going to try some extended bleeding and try some different pucks this summer and see if I can damp the effect a bit. Maybe you others don't have this problem. Seems like I'd have heard about more 1st day driveway crashes if you did.

[lee1980]

I believe the newer abs systems as on the new R1200s have no servo assistance and only add 1.5kg in weight.

Guess this is to do with advances in technology

[Badger]

the brakes on my abs equipped 2004 r1150r are VERY grabby and it's very easy to drop the bike by locking up the front wheel during slow maneuvering.....remedy is to use the rear only for those parking lot maneuvers.......the abs has saved my bacon in a high speed emergency stop.......cresting a rise....mess in the road going about 65 mph.....harley would have gone down hard and crashed.....

[gagator79]

I dumped mine at slow speed in a gas station parking lot...taught me to use the rear brakes as slow speed because the abs brakes are so grabby. I am a fan of the abs brakes though...have needed them a few times already and glad i had them.

[Croc]

My 2003 R was recalled by BMW for a full brake check. They handed me the printout that showed that in the 7000miles I have covered the abs had only functioned once and that was only for a fraction of a second. I think this was when I was braking over a bump.
I only ever use one or two fingers on the brake lever and I find that I have little or no problem with the brakes grabbing.
I also ride a 600 Yam with a single disc on the front and I almost have to use both hands on the lever!! Give me the BM brakes anyday.

Croc

[Kazushi]

Hey Guys,

My R850R assisted brakes are very smooth, I never had a problem with locking brakes at any speed...

The fact that both front and rear brakes are activated together, doesn't bother me any more, I have come to accept it, although I still find myself braking with the foot brake at times...

I han't yet needed the ABS, and I hope I never do


[quote="Badger"]the brakes on my abs equipped 2004 r1150r are VERY grabby and it's very easy to drop the bike by locking up the front wheel during slow maneuvering.....remedy is to use the rear only for those parking lot maneuvers.......the abs has saved my bacon in a high speed emergency stop.......cresting a rise....mess in the road going about 65 mph.....harley would have gone down hard and crashed.....