BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

How do you know if the bike has abs and if it doesn't then what does it have?
Is there a distinct advantage with the abs system?

If the bike has a small metal ring, smaller than the front brake disc, with lots of rectangular holes then it has ABS.

It it doesn't have ABS then it has normal hydraulic brakes (The EVO system = 320mm diameter discs as opposed the previous 310 or 300mm discs (can't remember what they were)).

also. if I'm not mistaken, the non-abs bikes have braided steel brake lines and the abs bikes do not.

WorkinMan wrote:also. if I'm not mistaken, the non-abs bikes have braided steel brake lines and the abs bikes do not.

My ABS bike has braided lines (2004).

My non-ABS bike has rubber lines. (2002)

My ABS bike has braided steel brake lines.

The ABS ring on the wheels is distinctive and can be recognized at a good distance.

post '03s will have braided lines...ABS or not. The wheel speed sensor (the smaller disc mounted concentric to the brake disc) is the easiest way to tell.

When you pull into a sandy drive and want to impress people by sliding to a stop, the ABS bikes won't do that.

Boxer wrote:When you pull into a sandy drive and want to impress people by sliding to a stop, the ABS bikes won't do that.

When you pull into a sandy drive and want to impress people by sliding to a stop but then end up on your face in the gravel in front of everyone, the ABS bike's won't do that either.

And if you're not really careful when you apply your rear brake whilst in a tight parking lot turn at slow speed you will blessed well find out what your linked ABS brake bike will do and how much rear view mirrors cost as well. Getting rid of the ABS on my 04RT was probably the best thing I ever did for the machine and myself. I dumped her on her side twice because of that lousy linked ABS system. Only time I ever went in the sand and gravel business in over 30 years of road riding mostly on BMW's with NO ABS! Excuse the rant.

Thankfully, the ABS system on the R1150R is different than the RT. Using the rear brake on the R does not apply the brakes to the front wheel.

What identifies abs?

It squeals like a girl.




(no offense to you young ladies out there)

towerworker wrote:What identifies abs?

It squeals like a girl.




(no offense to you young ladies out there)

oh, man, now you did it! Though I suspect there are none, did you mean to offend the old ladies out there?

And you were doing so well...

hope this helps