ABS Problem Solved

[Brettendress]

For about six months I have been battling an intermittent ABS problem on my 04 R1150Gs with 71,000 miles. The lights just came on randomely first the top then the bottom and then the bottom blinked, had to stop and restart the bike to continue. The dealer computer could not solve it, new brakes didn't solve it and it wasn't my blinking LED brake lightor a bad battery. It was the front ABS sensor. I ordered one last week and installed it after cutting 14 wiring harness tie's, sliding the tank bag back and plugging it in and hooking it up. Took about an hour $128.00 and 600 miles later this week and no failures. Just want to thank all who gave advice and all who made suggestions as to what the problem was. Again Thanks I'm so happy now maybe I can enjoy the twisties again without fear of no ABS the last 10,000 miles. I finally have confidence in my GS again

Brett Endress
Altoona PA

[henzilla]

great news Brett:thumb...I was worried you were gonna say you ripped it out:whistle
Ridden a lot of non ABS bikes, but having it on one and working is sure nice.

[kgadley01]

I have one ABS bike and one without. I don't really notice much differance in the two braking systems. but I very seldom make quick stops.

[Andy VH]

You'll never feel any difference in braking on an ABS assisted bike versus a standard braked bike, during ANY normal braking event. ABS requires wheel slip to become active. ABS does nothing but monitor wheel speeds during any riding and normal braking. ABS is never engaged UNTIL a tire, front or rear, DURING braking, actually begins to slide. In fact, for ABS systems to become active, a tire has to be at a speed at something between 10% to 20% slower than the actual bike speed. In essence, the ABS braked tire has to be somewhat "slipping" before ABS will even engage.

kgadley01, I'd suggest you go out and actually practice high effort braking stops. I have regularly practiced high effort stops for many years, so I know how I react, and how the bike feels under high braking effort, and during ABS assisted braking.

The time you HAVE to do it, is NOT the time to learn what you don't know and can't do.

I have had this proved by 17 years as a MSF instructor.