I have a 2005 GS with ABS. I bought it used and have had it almost two years. The integrated ABS feels great except that the rear brake pedal feels squishy. It has always felt squishy. I can push the pedal all the way down and the servo sometimes shuts off. I know that I cannot lock up the tire using the rear brake pedal because of the ABS. On dirt it feels extremely bad like it is locking up and releasing if I hit it hard. I feel that when stopping on dirt, this is probably normal on the GS. Since I do a lot of off-roading, I would prefer to have ABS on the front wheel and no ABS on the rear wheel. Does anyone know if the squishiness is a normal feel? The only other GS I have ridden was a 2007 with non-servo-assist ABS so I have nothing similar to compare it to. If it isn't normal, do you think I can eliminate the ABS from the rear wheel and run it direct like a run-of-the-mill bike? Maybe it might be just a loose screw that I haven't found that I could tighten up.
Does your rear brake feel squishy??
AdamWebber
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I have a 2005 GS with ABS. I bought it used and have had it almost two years. The integrated ABS feels great except that the rear brake pedal feels squishy. It has always felt squishy. I can push the pedal all the way down and the servo sometimes shuts off. I know that I cannot lock up the tire using the rear brake pedal because of the ABS. On dirt it feels extremely bad like it is locking up and releasing if I hit it hard. I feel that when stopping on dirt, this is probably normal on the GS. Since I do a lot of off-roading, I would prefer to have ABS on the front wheel and no ABS on the rear wheel. Does anyone know if the squishiness is a normal feel? The only other GS I have ridden was a 2007 with non-servo-assist ABS so I have nothing similar to compare it to. If it isn't normal, do you think I can eliminate the ABS from the rear wheel and run it direct like a run-of-the-mill bike? Maybe it might be just a loose screw that I haven't found that I could tighten up.
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I think it sounds normal. I have to push mine pretty hard to hear the abs kick in. That is how I've always ridden this bike. I pretty much stomp on the rear brake pedal and let the abs do the real work. Of course I feather the front brake. I also have the servos and find myself only using my middle finger for the front brake. You should check your pads. With the integrated braking on the bike, the rear pads wear out quick. Like 4500 miles for me. Off road you want to shut off the abs. It is outright dangerous on dirt.
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I guess that sounds good. I had a different experience with my K1200RS ABS. It felt quite stiff on the rear brake. The brakes on my GS were last flushed in 2007. Haven't bled them since. However I just replaced the pads in April. Good to know that what I am feeling is normal. But tell me if I am correct when turning off the ABS. I hold down the ABS button and turn the key on. I continue to hold the button for a few seconds and then ride normally. The "Brake Failure" indicator light will stay on. Is this correct?
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264 Posts
Just to let you know, I took my bike off-roading on the Paiute Trail near Elk Meadows, Utah. I turned off the ABS. The rear brake locked up real quick and it felt like a true brake pedal with no squishiness. Just wish that I could toggle it on and off while the bike is running.
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