ASC and ESC

[xcell1600]

I am looking to buy a new R1200R. The local dealers don't have a black one in stock with ABS, ESC and ASC. They have one with ABS and ESC.

If I order a 2010 I miss out on all the current incentives plus I miss the rest of the riding season in Chicago. How important is the ASC?

Thanks,

Alan

[deilenberger]

I am looking to buy a new R1200R. The local dealers don't have a black one in stock with ABS, ESC and ASC. They have one with ABS and ESC.

If I order a 2010 I miss out on all the current incentives plus I miss the rest of the riding season in Chicago. How important is the ASC?

Thanks,

Alan

Given my druthers - I'd wait. I know of several instances where ASC would have prevented an accident. ESC - that to me would be very optional, and I could pass right by it (aftermarket suspension is better, and cheaper in the long run..), but ASC and TPM would be on my "must-have" list if I was buying a bike today. Have your dealer see what other dealers have sitting on the floor - and tell him you want him to do a swap. The dealer network has a computer program that can look at the current inventory of any dealer in the country.. if there is one to be found, they can find it, and dealer bike swaps are not uncommon. You may end up paying for the transportation - but if it gets you the bike you want - it's worth it.

I don't have ASC or TPM because they simply weren't available in early '07 when I bought mine. Don't lend any credence to any stories they can be added later - they can't - BMW won't sell the programming codes needed to enable them.

[Mollygrubber]

I was not militant about getting them, but in the short time I've had my bike, the 'traction control' has saved my ass once already (diesel on a tar snake, in the rain)

[vodka]

ASC.. I got it. After the ABS , the best thing. I know this for a fact because I can still type. Loose leaf litter in the shadows, slightly damp moss covered road ,again hidden in that kaleidoscope of mottled sunlight, the greasy white road paint. When it kicks in you will just go... "whoa...now I know". Its like a gentle ,(mostly) angel just holding you up a little.
As for the ABS , as you get to know this bike , try grabbing brutal handfuls of brake on different surfaces at increasing speeds. In the wet especially I believe you'll outbrake anyone on non ABS. The brakes are simple superb. If you've never locked a wheel at speed braking, well with these brakes you probably never will. Saved my butt already.

[Coyote Crazy]

For my 2 cents worth I will add that I waited until the ASC and TPC both became available on my '07 and then had to order from the factory to get all the options (ASC, TPC and ESC) I wanted and color (crystal gray). The dealer had one in stock but did not have the ASC or TPC and wrong color. The ASC has saved my butt on a number of occasions (loose sand on a tight curve, mossy pavement under shallow river, wet tar snakes, etc.). The TPC also alerted me of a slow rear tire leak (large nail) during a ride. I have never regretted taking the time to wait for those options. Don is correct when he states that it can not be added, when my son purchased his K1200R sport the dealer said he could add the TPC later, wrong, they latter informed him it could not be done. FWIW I do not have the riding experience that Don has nor the suspensions knowledge he has but I also have the ESC and use it and change setting frequently on the fly. I think what Don is trying to say is with a properly adjusted set of good after market shocks you would not need the ability to change settings on the fly.

[redwing]

Hi xcell1600 .. I'm a new owner and rider ... My bike has ABS but not the other two options. The ABS helped me out in a 'stop right now' situation and I really like the idea that it is near impossible to lockup the brakes. I think I remember reading (perhaps calsci or r1150.net) an article where the limits of ABS is talked about. The post mentions that ABS's function to not lockup on a turn is limited and so in a turn a bike with ABS could lockup the brakes. Something about the ABS system measuring the revolutions between the front and rear wheels. And I think there being a three or four revolution difference before the ABS kicks in might be enough to lockup the brakes is the point of the article. So the MSF instruction about only a hard stop in a straight line is still very good advice.
Probably if I had more money and experience I would have opted for ASC and or ESC. Its hard to beat saving one's rear-end. And the black R's have the slowest color...

There are froum members who have ten's of thousands and perhaps hundred's or thousands of miles riden and they may have more information about ABS.
Robert

[celticus]

I am looking to buy a new R1200R. The local dealers don't have a black one in stock with ABS, ESC and ASC. They have one with ABS and ESC.

If I order a 2010 I miss out on all the current incentives plus I miss the rest of the riding season in Chicago. How important is the ASC?

Thanks,

Alan

I'm having a heck of a good time on my R1200R with just the ABS and the onboard computer. AND a comfortable aftermarket seat.

Mark

[Caroanbill]

ASC is worth waiting for, and worth paying for, IMHO. I guess it depends how long you plan on keeping the bike - if you're seeling soon, it'll get lost in general resale drop, and if you keep the bike awhile, the difference will happily amortise itself away.

I have ABS + ASC and like some other posts, the ASC has saved me a couple of times. I've felt it kick in to deal with otherwise invisible hazards (water, moss, small leaf litter) in dappled light with dark shadows .. you know, the sort of forest corners that make riding bliss .. I'd predict that ASC will be as much a 'must have' as ABS in a few years as even geezerbikes get enough power to spin up a rear wheel

Simple having the ASC also takes away a little nervousness about wheelslip/spin and allows me to enjoy the ride more: that's the main reason I chose it (& I had to wait a several weeks to get it). Happily, that's the way it has turned out.

On ESC .. I ride solo, so variable suspension isn't a great factor - and I preferred quality aftermarket shocks (fitted at delivery) over ESC and this has been a great choice for me (YMMV).

[xcell1600]

I broke down and purchased a 2009 R1200R that they had on the floor. Good discount, free bags and $500 back from BMWMOA.

Could not resist.

Thank you all for the advice.

[websterize]

I broke down and purchased a 2009 R1200R that they had on the floor. Good discount, free bags and $500 back from BMWMOA.

Could not resist.

Thank you all for the advice.

Allright! It's such a cool bike.

[redwing]

Good for you xcell1600... it's a great bike... what color is it?

[xcell1600]

Black!!!!!