eliminating servo-assist brakes?

[rider]

So, I find this really nice R1200ST at a decent price... but it's an '05 with the servo-assist brakes. I'm thinkin', why couldn't I swap out master cylinders with a non-servo bike? Like mebbe an '07 ST? If I could retain the abs, fine, but if I couldn't it doesn't matter.

It just seems like it ought to be do-able, but maybe I'm missing something?

[R4R&R]

I would think new master cylinders, possibly calipers, and re-routing of the brake lines. Then I guess you could ignore the ABS warning lights?

[jamming]

You would have to change master cylinders, separate the front and rear circuits, change the software to loose the ABS fault....but Why?????
Unless there's a problem why throw a bunch a money at something that's not a problem. I know all about the ABS and Non-ABS argument, and the Servo whine is a pain unless you wear plugs and are deaf...I do and am. I would love to have a non-ABS ST but I could'nt find one close when I bought mine, so I was stuck. This is the second ABS bike for me, the first was a 1985 K100RS, night and day

The ST is a fine motorcycle, I ride one AND do my own maintenance including tires. I've done a bleed and while a pain in the ass it's doable. I just got mine back from a service ( last time the dealer will see it) to the tune of 505.00$, I had the dealer bleed to back mine up and had some recalls. Gonna order one of these http://www.hex.co.za/gs911/index.html
to read and clear codes. Now that I've done a bleed, I have my own idea how to do it.

Dude, buy the ST.....you'll love it, I've got mine ergoed out now and have fallen in love with it all over again.

[DarthRider]

I wonder if anyone has come up with an Enable/Disable switch retro-fit? That's the way I'd like it.
I agree with Roger, I wouldn't try to eliminate it. They have those brakes so integrated with the other systems I'd be afraid it might be problematic forever.
But like anything else, I guess if you threw enough time, work and MONEY at it, it could be done.
If you haven't already ridden the bike, go do that and then decide.

[rider]

Thanks for the replies, guys... while it seems pretty straightforward on the face of it, I would be concerned about what other systems/functions might be affected. I'm ambivalent about the ABS, but have no desire for the servo's.

An enable/disable switch would be great (my F650GS has one to disengage the ABS) but apparently that's not in the cards. The whole servo concept to me just seems to be the answer to a question that nobody ever asked. I have ridden an ST w/servo's and my main objection is what I perceive as an almost total lack of "feel". Oh, they sure as hell stop the bike damn quick, but I also get out for a week or ten days a couple of times a year and have to wonder what would happen if they failed "out in the boonies".

I think I'll get this bike and minimize the depreciation "hit" (compared to a new one), it's truly a nice example in the color scheme I like best, it certainly appears to have been adult ridden and maintained. I put 64k miles on my 1150R and did all my own maintenance, other than just plain liking the ST that's what has me wanting another boxer. The ease of maintenance and the fact that my dealer has no problem with me doing my own is a great combination.

[socalrob]

Ed,

If you recall I had the servo brakes on my R1150R fail at one stop in what is now 26,000 miles.

My answer to your question as to what happens if they fail when you are on a trip in the boonies, is that you would finish your trip & ride home. I liken the residule brakes on my R1150R to being about equal to the drum brakes I remember from my bikes in the early 70's. Wooden & not that great, but I can & have locked the front wheel with only residule brakes. The solution is to kill the motor on a downhill once in a while & practice some residule braking. The brakes are fully there, just takes ALOT more pull.

& from what I understand, the 05 ST servo brakes were supposed to have much better "feel" in residule mode than the 04's.

Keep in mind that I actually like the brakes on my 04, like you say, they stop the bike pretty damn quick.

[rider]

Hey, thanks for that info, Rob! Makes me feel better! As I rush headlong into becoming an old fart, I actually don't resent technology where it can provide a clear advancement. But I put things like the servo-assist in the same category as a word processing program that anticipates your next word- most of the time it's wrong and I have to delete it's entry, phooey!

[Biff's R]

Ed,
There is a feel to the brakes, it is just a little different. It took a couple of rides for me to get the feel, but now I do not notice.

[jamming]

Ed, you buy the ST, talk to me, Dean, and a few others. I'll hook you up with the maintence differences between the R and the ST, had an 03 R, so it's real familiar.

Welcome to the ST club brother, it's a pretty thin club, and gonna be hard to get into when BMW quits making them soon.

[Deans BMW]

I love my ST, brakes and all. On more than one occasion, I have coasted down a mountain with ignition off (servos off), the residial brakes were fine, no problems at all.

[rider]

Thanks, guys- I pick it up on Saturday, looking forward to ridin' a boxer again!