looking to purchase

[hipsabad]

I'm looking eagerly at R1200Rs after a test ride in July and I have a question. I know already that many of you think ABS is a good idea and I don't entirely disagree but I ride a CBR600RR frequently and was wondering: if I were to purchase a used R1200R with ABS, can the ABS be adjusted, turned off or over-ridden in any way?

[hankth]

Don't even think about it! The system works so well, (not integrated), that anything you do to it will be a degradation of performance and safety. JMHO. I saw a demo of the older system on an R1150RT that shocked me. A rider came at us at 60 mph and he slammed on both brakes right in front of where a group of us were standing. The way the bike stopped was amazing! Straight as an arrow and short for the speed he was carrying. You'd have to see it to believe it. When you don't need it, it is just not there. So, even for experienced riders, ABS can be a life saver.
Hank

[celticus]

The only time I felt my ABS was inappropriate was when I was riding on a very rough logging road. It always feels great on the road, where the bike was designed to be.
Mark

[AllanCook]

You won't even know the ABS is there, and it is a very good thing to have.

[8b]

hipsabad - where are you located?

[deilenberger]

Almost anyone I know - who has had ABS - has experienced it saving their bacon at least once. And that's ALL it takes to make every $$ it costs worthwhile. One hospital visit missed is priceless.

FWIW - I not only won't own a bike without ABS - I won't even test ride one.

[hipsabad]

Wow, no one even answered my question. Let me try again. BMW offers the bike with or without ABS. Most people who responded believe that's a matter of criminal negligence on BMW's part; believe that it should be standard. Be that as it may, it's not a discussion I'm interested in having here.

I'm just wondering one thing: can the ABS be adjusted, turned off or over-ridden in any way? Thanks in advance.

[Caroanbill]

Wow, no one even answered my question. I'm just wondering one thing: can the ABS be adjusted, turned off or over-ridden in any way? Thanks in advance.

Short answer: NO
If you want switchable ABS, only the GS and S models have it.

BTW, what you got here was the REAL answer. You don't need to switch of ABS on the road. You simply won't know it's there until it saves your bacon. Yes, it is indeed that good.

You also got the reaction of those of us who've had ABS in its various incarnations for nearly two decades. That has two parts ...
1) We know ABS simply works, especially on the R1200R. Almost all of us have avoided injury or worse because of it. We know what we're talking about. People who've never had ABS don't.
2) We've all endured the hairy-chested "a good rider can beat ABS" furphy. Racetracks and stunt riders aside, we know what utter twaddle this is ... so, if a squid feel s/he can beat ABS, we tend to sigh and offer a little prayer that this particular squid would find out s/he's wrong by qualifying for a Darwin award.

For both reasons, and given that you like the R12R you MUST be a person of taste and distinction, we've offered you our wisdom. Please feel free to accept it in the same humility it was offered.

Lastly ... having ABS and switching it off on the road is not unlike having a helmet and carefully attaching it to the rear of your bike when you ride ....

[TAG-Caver]

The owners manual doesn't state how to deactivate the ABS, but I'd guess that removing the sensor ring on the left side of the front wheel would do the trick. If you're looking for a neat clean way to flip a switch to turn it off, I'm not aware of it. I know on some bikes you can use jumpers to access certain functions, but I don't know if you can do that with can-bus.

[ka5ysy]

The owners manual doesn't state how to deactivate the ABS, but I'd guess that removing the sensor ring on the left side of the front wheel would do the trick. If you're looking for a neat clean way to flip a switch to turn it off, I'm not aware of it. I know on some bikes you can use jumpers to access certain functions, but I don't know if you can do that with can-bus.

First: Why the heck would you EVER want to disable it?

Second: If you go removing stuff you have 1. Voided the warranty 2. Absolutely will cause the computer to show ABS Failure.


Putting on my lawyer hat, Should you happen to have a passenger on the bike and crash causing said passenger an injury, I can make out a great gross negligence claim which means I (my client) will own you and your property forever. Intentional actions are not discharged in bankruptcy.

Should you decide to sue BMW, they will defeat the product liability claim on a motion for summary judgment because you negligently disconnected a major safety device designed to avoid or minimize your injuries.

Should the police determine you have defeated the ABS and it is the proximate cause of the crash, you are probably going to be charged with at least criminal negligence, and maybe negligent vehicular homicide.

See.... LEGALLY IT IS A VERY BAD THING TO DEFEAT THE ABS !

Besides, it is just a really dumb idea anyway.

[AllanCook]

Wow, no one even answered my question. Let me try again. BMW offers the bike with or without ABS. Most people who responded believe that's a matter of criminal negligence on BMW's part; believe that it should be standard. Be that as it may, it's not a discussion I'm interested in having here.

I'm just wondering one thing: can the ABS be adjusted, turned off or over-ridden in any way? Thanks in advance.

No. Question answered. Now, a question for you: Why would you want to disengage a life-saving function such as ABS?

[celticus]

Hipsabad, Welcome to our friendly little forum where you can feel free to be you. Please ask another question and I'll just bet we won't jump all over you.
Mark

[hipsabad]

The owners manual doesn't state how to deactivate the ABS, but I'd guess that removing the sensor ring on the left side of the front wheel would do the trick. If you're looking for a neat clean way to flip a switch to turn it off, I'm not aware of it. I know on some bikes you can use jumpers to access certain functions, but I don't know if you can do that with can-bus.

First: Why the heck would you EVER want to disable it?

Second: If you go removing stuff you have 1. Voided the warranty 2. Absolutely will cause the computer to show ABS Failure.


Putting on my lawyer hat, Should you happen to have a passenger on the bike and crash causing said passenger an injury, I can make out a great gross negligence claim which means I (my client) will own you and your property forever. Intentional actions are not discharged in bankruptcy.

Should you decide to sue BMW, they will defeat the product liability claim on a motion for summary judgment because you negligently disconnected a major safety device designed to avoid or minimize your injuries.

Should the police determine you have defeated the ABS and it is the proximate cause of the crash, you are probably going to be charged with at least criminal negligence, and maybe negligent vehicular homicide.

See.... LEGALLY IT IS A VERY BAD THING TO DEFEAT THE ABS !

Besides, it is just a really dumb idea anyway.

If it is such a legally bad thing to do and IF it is just a really dumb idea anyway, why in heaven's name does BMW itself allow it to be switched off on the GS or the S model? Are they insane? And why would they allow customers to purchase other models without ABS? Are they recklessly profit mad? Can we sue BMW when they allow us to purchase an F800 without ABS? After all, they should have warned us of the imminent danger of riding without ABS. Keep in mind I'm not against ABS entirely - as I mentioned in the first post. But holy crap, I certainly did not expect such a torrent of self-centered lecturing. How did you some of you guys manage to survive the dangers of motorcycling before the days of ABS? Again, I would ask why BMW even offers switchable ABS if it is a such a present danger to ride without it?

Personally, I think ABS is a great idea in many situations but to be able to switch it off at times can be good too. As to AllanCook's question: I might want to disengage this function when traveling off-road, something celticus mentioned he might do, too.

Now I'm going to get some people all riled up and I didn't want that
There must be a better way to communicate... Is it me?

BTW, hats off to celticus and TAG-Caver.

[ErikM]

No, it's not you.

[MikeCam]

I personally avoid all ABS discussions for the obvious reasons. But, since you are apparently a discerning individual, how do you feel about the BCS?

[hipsabad]

I personally avoid all ABS discussions for the obvious reasons. But, since you are apparently a discerning individual, how do you feel about the BCS?

BCS?

Pardon my ignorance.

[OlyVR]

Whatever it is, don't even think about disabling it!!!

And since I'm in a snarky mood, I take back whatever advice I gave in the other thread.
Don't you even think about shortening the BMW handlebars. German engineers have spent untold hours determining the exact width required to safely operate said motorcycle.

Just kidding, hopefully someone got a smirk out of it...