R1200S servo brakes

Dids · Post by **Dids** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 7:12 pm

I'm thinking of buying an R1200S.
From what I've read, it looks like it might be an idea to avoid servo brakes.
Does anyone know when BMW stopped fitting servo brakes to the R1200S?
Also, how do you tell the difference between servo and non-servo brakes?
Cheers......

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 7:15 pm

There are no R1200s models with servo brakes.

With or without ABS were the options.

fontana · Post by **fontana** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 10:09 pm

He's right to be concerned though.
I had a Beemer with the "integral braking system" with servo's.
Complete nightmare.
A whole generation of BMW's were ruined by this.
James Sherlock offer a ride in ride out service to bypass the system, but then you don't have abs.
I know abs can go tits up, but at least you still have useable brakes.
Oh, and doesn't the R1200S have switchable abs ?

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 8:37 am

I'm glad I bought an ST without ABS....so much simpler from a servicing viewpoint, so much less to worry about!

I've had only one bike with it, my R-Sport, but never had it activate once. Perhaps I ride like Miss Daisy.....

Pete

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:34 am

ABS can be switched off, presumably for a track day, if necessary.

I can only recall the ABS activating once (apart from when I tested it, which took some balls) which was on gravel.

To repeat / clarify, there is no 'Servo' on any R1200s model, with or without ABS.

Humbug · Post by **Humbug** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:23 pm

ABS needs to be switched off for a track day. Witnessed a 1200GS disappear into the gravel in front of me on a trackday at Cadwell. Appears he didn't know and ended badly for both him, his bike and the bike in front which he took with him. Still, lots of nearly new spares available at the end of the day. Every cloud...

Dids · Post by **Dids** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 1:43 pm

Herb wrote:There are no R1200s models with servo brakes.

With or without ABS were the options.

Thanks for that.
I had just assumed that all R1200 models of around that era had been fitted with servo brakes.

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 1:51 pm

Dids wrote:
Herb wrote:There are no R1200s models with servo brakes.

With or without ABS were the options.
Thanks for that.
I had just assumed that all R1200 models of around that era had been fitted with servo brakes.

Not sure when the cut off was, but I think some of the earlier, pre 2005, 1200 models had servos. Not sure about which ones though, but certainly not an issue on the 1200s.

the 1200s is a good bike for solo use. If the looks appeal go for it. I love mine.

fontana · Post by **fontana** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:08 pm

Herb wrote:ABS can be switched off, presumably for a track day, if necessary.

I can only recall the ABS activating once (apart from when I tested it, which took some balls) which was on gravel.

To repeat / clarify, there is no 'Servo' on any R1200s model, with or without ABS.

How was that the fault of the abs.
If he went through gravel then presumably he misjudged a corner
People who fancy themselves as track heroes invariably blame anything but themselves when they cock it up

kfrogzx7 · Post by **kfrogzx7** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:27 pm

I don't know about other 1200 models but the ST went servo less I think in '07.
Milleplod would know about that probably ?

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:40 pm

kfrogzx7 wrote:I don't know about other 1200 models but the ST went servo less I think in '07.
Milleplod would know about that probably ?

Mine's an '05 bike, no ABS. If it had got ABS, I believe it would be the servo type. BMW discontinued the ST in '07, but they were still available as a 'special order' that year. On those last ones, ABS didn't have the servo.

(Earlier post edited after a quick Google!).

Pete

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 6:49 pm

fontana wrote:
Herb wrote:ABS can be switched off, presumably for a track day, if necessary.

I can only recall the ABS activating once (apart from when I tested it, which took some balls) which was on gravel.

To repeat / clarify, there is no 'Servo' on any R1200s model, with or without ABS.
How was that the fault of the abs.
If he went through gravel then presumably he misjudged a corner
People who fancy themselves as track heroes invariably blame anything but themselves when they cock it up

What?

separate statements. 1/ ABS can be switched off on the R1200s. People might want to do this for a trackday.

2/ i have only had the ABS activate once on my bike. This was on gravel. Specifically on a gravel path to a campsite, when braking the bike hit a thick gravel patch and cut in, allowing the bike to run on a little. No big deal, but does make your heart jump a bit.

before you start with the straw man attacks why don't you read the post properly?

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:07 pm

I think he's got your post and Humbug's mixed up. Unless he's just fancying an argument!

Pete

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:49 pm

I've done around 53,000 miles on ABS-fitted R1200GSAs - and don't know what it feels like............. It's never cut in!

Al

fontana · Post by **fontana** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 8:37 pm

Humbug wrote:ABS needs to be switched off for a track day. Witnessed a 1200GS disappear into the gravel in front of me on a trackday at Cadwell. Appears he didn't know and ended badly for both him, his bike and the bike in front which he took with him. Still, lots of nearly new spares available at the end of the day. Every cloud...

Sorry
This was the post I was referring too