Turning off the ABS on the R1150RT

[MiXeR]

Hello list,

I've noticed R1100RT's have an ABS on/off switch in the fairing (at least in Europe) but my new used 1150 doesn't.

 

Since reading various reports of problems only on slippery surfaces where the tire was also bouncing while braking (roman road stone for instance), I would like to try turning it off as the romens left tons of the stuff around Italy

 

My schematic does not state where to place the switch and would not want to fizz the ABS computer in doing it wrong.

 

Any ideas, hints or counter offers?

 

Thanks,

Mike.

[Buccaneer]

The switch on the R1100RTs is not an on/off switch at all - it merely cancels the warning lights for a while. A bit pointless, really.

 

But there is a way to disable the ABS on the R1100RT and R1150RT. With the ignition off, hold in the start button. Now turn on the ignition. When the bike starts, your ABS warning lights will flash, and ABS is disabled.

 

Not recommended though!

[Blue Beemer Dude]

The switch on the R1100RTs is not an on/off switch at all - it merely cancels the warning lights for a while. A bit pointless, really.

 

Well, on my R1100RT I would get an ABS failure quite often, typically from a weak battery or if I stalled and restarted while rolling, not giving the ABS a chance to self-test. This button allowed me to temporarily stop that distracting warning, although it would come back on after a few minutes IIRC. I've yet to have this happen to me on the R1150RT.

 

Michael

[Bill Dennes]

I understand that the "starter button first, then key on" technique does NOT work on the 1150.

 

Tool Man wrote a quick "how to" about disconneting the ABS not too long ago, which I have followed. No more "ice patch" (anti-stoppie) problems.

 

 

[Ken H.]

I understand that the "starter button first, then key on" technique does NOT work on the 1150.

You are correct Bill, it will not. There is no ABS on/off on the R1150RT series. Only a modification for semi-permanently off.

[Clive Liddell]

Tool Man wrote a quick "how to" about disconneting the ABS not too long ago, which I have followed. No more "ice patch" (anti-stoppie) problems.

 

Bill, was this "how to" for 1150's specifically? I would like to have a means of reset on my 1100RT without restarting.

 

Hi there Buccaneer - good to see you here. Are you enjoying the R1200RT?

[Buccaneer]

Hi there Buccaneer - good to see you here. Are you enjoying the R1200RT?

 

Oh so very much! Just a pity I have to work some of the time and can't be out riding as much as I'd like.

 

Ran it in last weekend in the Lowveld: Long Tom, Steenkampsberg, Kowyns Pass, Sabie-Hazyview, Pilgrims, Robbers Pass, Waterval Rivier Pass, etc. probably going back next weekend for more high-speed fun.

[Bill Dennes]

Clive, yes it is specific to the 1150RT. I cannot quickly find Mike's writeup to refer you to, but I did the steps in it for my '02 1150RT, and I'm pleased. Here's what I did:

• Disconnect the front and rear wheel sensors at the plug closest to them. this will be a pain for the front sensor, as the plug is ziptied to the fairing subframe. Put tape over both sides of each plug to keep crud from building up there.
• Remove the blue ABS relay from its socket in the fuse box. You can turn it sideways and put it back in the space it came from. The fuse box cover will keep it from jumping out.
• Mike said to remove the two ABS warning bulbs from the cluster on the dashboard. I taped over the lower light instead.

 

Everything is reversible, for trade-in time. I LOVE the thing as it is now: No more of that ice-patch syndrome. I can go back to being a front-brake guy and leave the pedal for smooth stops at stoplights.

 

Thanks again, Mike!

 

[Ken H.]

Bill, Mike,

 

Did removing the relay disable the servo assist also?

[MiXeR]

Thanks for reposting Mike's specs Bill, but I was intending something more along the lines of:

 

"Rolling, rolling down the whaterverway...., oops here comes a steep 22% down grade on cobblestones and some yahoo has just washed his front lawn out onto the street, let me just flick the ABS off..." and I hit the switch.

 

The ABS goes off, and the warning lights to remind me it's off, come on... I ride through the wet cobblestones... once on "safe" asphalt I hit the switch again and the ABS comes on again.

 

But from reading all your replies, and considering you're supposed to let the abs self test itself before turing on the ignition I can understand why it wouldn't work on the fly.

 

Course I could stop, turn off the ign. and let it test itself for a reset.

 

Are you sure the switch on the 1100 was just to turn off the lights? Seems kind of strange.

 

Anyone have the electrical diagram for that bike?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[MiXeR]

Just re rereading your post (didn't know Roman Centurions got all the way to SouthAfrica) Buccaneer, if the abs switch on the 1100 is "just to turn off the lights for awhile" you're right it doesn't make much sense.

 

But does that also mean that on that model it resets itself autonomously (eg. after a while) and the ABS starts working again?

 

Does your manual specifically state that that's what the switch is for?

 

Thanks,

Mike

In an Roman centurion conquered city...

[SageRider]

The manual on the R1100-RT specifically states that the switch is nothing more than for alarm cancellation. The manual further states that the alarm will re-trigger 4.5 minutes after cancellation. This process does NOT re-trigger an ABS selftest.

[Rob L]

I would like to have a means of reset on my 1100RT without restarting.

You can reset the ABS by getting under way in 4th or 5th gear, pull in the clutch, shut off ignition, turn ignition back on and release clutch lever. The bike will restart and the ABS should reset. This is a way to overcome a low voltage ABS fault and will NOT work on the 1150.

[Tool Man]

Did removing the relay disable the servo assist also?

 

Ken,

No, the servo assist is still operational as well as the linked system. By removing the solenoid and disconnecting the sensors you have dissabled the ABS. If one where adventerous, such as yourself, a switch could be installed in the circuit.

[FlyingFinn]

All right, I'm not trying to be a smart-ass but I do have to ask.

 

What is the potential benefit (on a street bike like RT) in disabling the ABS but leaving servo assist and F-R brake linkage functional?

 

I could see the benefit in removing the link between F and R or disabling the servos maybe. But leave those on and ABS off seams to me like worst of both worlds.

I must be missing something.

 

--

Mikko

[graham2400]

Hello Mikko,

 

I think the objective of turning off the ABS on the 1150 is to prevent those heart stopping moments when the brakes 'let go' in anti stoppie mode. This usually happens during spirited riding in the dry when there's little real chance of a proper lock up. Once experienced, never forgotten. Many riders don't ever get into this territory so can't comprehend why those that do whinge so much - trust me, it's horrible !

 

Regards,

 

Graham.

[Bob Palin]

What is the potential benefit (on a street bike like RT) in disabling the ABS but leaving servo assist and F-R brake linkage functional?

It removes the potentially fatal "ice-patch" effect. If it was possible to turn off the linking I'm sure many would do that too. At least one board member has replaced the entire system and is very happy but significantly poorer.

[FlyingFinn]

Got it (after reading also the other ABS thread going on right now), thanks.

Wow, so the BMW ABS actually decreases FRONT brake pressure if the REAR is locking up? Crazy German engineers!

 

And it happens even if rear brake is not even applied? (except via the linked system of course) hmmmm...

 

Anyways, if I had the chice it would non-linked ABS brakes for me.

 

--

Mikko