R 1200 RT brakes

[panman]

I just purchased an 07` rt, love it, have about 2500 mi. on it so far. But, I don`t care for the brakes, the front lever is mushy and has a vague feel to it. I took it back to dealer, 3 techs rode it, even the owner of the dealership rode it . I had thought it may have had air in the lines. They all said its fine , thats the way bmw`s are. The linked front lever has to pump front and 50% of the rear calipers, as well as the ABS. All this contributes to a mushy brake lever, in my opinion. They say "nobody has had similar complaints". I am an expert rider with much experience on many bikes , and currently own several. I sold my yamaha fjr 1300 for the RT. The fjr has superb brakes. Does anyone have an opinion on this subject? Has there ever been any talk of un-linking the brakes? I also don`t like the ABS, it comes on prematurely.

[motorman587]

Is it something you may need to get use to??? We have a fleet of 9 and nobody has said anything bad about the brakes or ABS. We came off the 1150RTPsl.

[panman]

yeah, I guess your right , I`ll just have to get used to it

[motoguy128]

I guess I'm not the only one. They are still plenty pwoerful, but do feel a little muchy in general. My R1150R w/o ABS had a much firmer feel to the lever.

What I notice is that the intial bite is good, but it takes a fiar amount of squeeze to really slow hte bike down, especially when 2-up. They are still powerful, but I miss my 600cc sportbike a little in terms of overall feel.

They feel a little like it has rubber brake lines instead of SS.

As mentioned above, I suspect it's a result of the linked brakes. I think I'd prefer the servo brakes of the '06 on a heavier touring bike like the RT.

I only brake with 2 fingers which allows me to blip the throttle for downshifts... which is difficult to do on the RT becasue I have small hands and the throttle has a lot of slack thanks to the cruise control... BMW whould have gone for a fly by wire throttle and dumped the added weight and maintenance of having a cale operated CC.

[JPSpen]

Brakes are brakes, and I would think they should feel "solid".


You said they checked them, Did you have them thoroughly bled ?

That's what I'd be doing. Air will cause that mushy feeling but quick...


Good Luck

John

[brianbeemer]

After reading this thread I went out and did a double-take on mine. It's an 05 but wasn't registered until this year and the servo brakes are 'interesting' -- pull them on slowly and the lever does feel a bit soft, but they bite nicely; pull it hard and the lever is rock solid and the brakes slam on hard. I almost went over the windshield. Is that the difference between the 05 and the current model perhaps? Certainly they are better than my R1100R, although that bike has nice brakes too.

[panman]

I asked that they be bled, but they did a test that shows pressure readout on the computer, They said everything checked out , and a brake bleeding was unnecessary and would be on my dime. When applying the front brake , the lever pulls in half way before it really bites, and if your not careful you`ll almost be over the handlebars. I`m surprised that his is the norm for BMW`s. Today`s modern sportbike braking systems with a nice firm feel at the lever have become the standard in just about every bike made now. At 21 grand out the door , it` a bit disappointing. I still love the bike , it` a handicap it shouldn`t have bruce
02 buell x-1
07 suzuki bandit 1250
05 yam fjr--sold
custom buell drag bike
65 panhead

[hopz]

panman- just for fun let me ask if you have adjusted the brake lever?
You do know that there are 3 or 4 positions and by turning the little knob you can set the point at which the brake comes on?

[ka5ysy]

I am happy to report that the grabby brakes of the boosted system do not exist on the 07 and later bikes. The new system is great and works just like a standard brake system. It also has full brake capability without the key being on, and there is no whine from the pump. :D

Now if BMW would use human butts for the seat ergonomics..... :eek:

[BMWphreak]

I am happy to report that the grabby brakes of the boosted system do not exist on the 07 and later bikes. The new system is great and works just like a standard brake system. It also has full brake capability without the key being on, and there is no whine from the pump. :D

Now if BMW would use human butts for the seat ergonomics..... :eek:


They do... his name is Hans, and he could squeeze you like toothpaste between is powerful buttocks!

[panman]

yeah they work just like a standard brake system,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just like my dad`s 75` caprice