K11 Owners Group

[Jnclem]

One more basic question (two actually): does a '95 LT have ABS 1 or 2? From what I'm reading ABS 2 is much better. In what way is it better?

[SugarHillCTD]

Have you seen this page? Lots of info.

http://k11og.org/reference/k11ref_index.shtml

ABS I vs. II. Think it comes down to preferences. I prefer ABS I, but hope to never use ABS at all.

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[Number 6]

95 is ABS 2. ABS 2 is more reliable and lighter.
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

[Flying Duck]

Control unit failure is much less on 2 but I prefer 1 because 2 gives me false positives (kicking the rear ABS in when it shouldn't):

* Braking on the crest of a hill
* Wet road nipples when lanesplitting
* Downhill braking on rough pavement (little potholes)

I now know when to expect it from experience but the first few times it happened it was a little unnerving to have the rear brake kind of go away.

Never had any false positives with 1.

While we're on the topic, one significant and avoidable cause of ABS 1 control unit failure is flooding. (water leaks in from the top and shorts out the circuitry) On my ABS 1 bikes I put some plastic over the connector under the seat to reduce the chances of this happening.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Jnclem]

All great info. Thank you. I thought there must be a page about this someplace, but my search didn't turn one up. Thanks again!

Honestly, I've never had ABS, and consider it more of an annoyance than anything, but I'll get used to it. This is my first non-dual sport bike, so, maybe it's more helpful on the pavement.

[SugarHillCTD]

Like I posted- hope I never have to use ABS but....

If/when a "holy chit" moment happens and something runs or drives out right in front of you, will you have the presence of mind to apply the brakes hard but stop just short of locking up the front?

I like a system that can think several times per second and keep the wheels rolling and possibly keep me upright when I grab a big handful of brake in a panic moment.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[bikesnbones]

It's interesting to compare the primitive ABS 1 system used in my K1100RS, and that used in more modern bikes,
On the R1200S I once owned, getting the ABS to cut in on the front was very hard, (good thing as so many systems cut in too early)
Once activating, the feeling at the lever was very subtle, almost un noticeable, and the wheel just kind of skips a little, with a split second squeal as the front is released right at the instant of lock up.
Impressive.
ABS 1 though, feels like you're bouncing up and down on a pogo stick, with a feel from the lever comparable to a very badly warped disc.
It works of course, but it can be unnerving if you're not expecting it.
As a foot note.
A BMW mechanic once told me that it is a very good idea to activate the ABS on occasion, where safe to do so.
Apparently, part of the reason systems fail on older bikes, is because they sit dormant, maybe for years on end.
Because the pump is much like an engine, with 2 pistons sitting in a bath of brake fluid, after prolonged period of inactivity, the piston will stick, or seize,
Just activating those pistons in the ABS unit once every few months, keeps them moving and helps prevent them from seizing.

[N41EF]

I have to agree with the "test your ABS" vote for two reasons:

1. As mentioned, the ABS pump has no flow unless operated. The Wiesco ABS units in Land Rovers tend to fail in either a hard to repair or expensive to replace manner. Activating the unit keeps it happy.

2. If you activate it in a safe manner in a safe area, you get an understanding of how it feels when it's working. What does the bike do? How does the brake lever feel, What does it sound like?

I "brake check" every car and bike we have a few times a year on a hard pack dirt road near the house. Especialy after replacing brake pads or flushing fluid. Since the K boke is the first motorcycle I've owned with ABS it was kind of scarry when I first did it. After a few passes I got the hang of it, and when doing the panic brake maneuver of my riders test, I had to do it three times because I was stopping too fast or short of the "expected" range. Finally the lady said it was obviously OK.
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2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

[Flying Duck]

With the long cycle times, the ABS on the early Ks is very crude. That said, it DOES work. I've put enough miles on my Ks that I've f'd up a few times where I did kick in ABS and it may not have saved my life but it most certainly saved me from my own stupidity and kept the front from locking/washing out and smashing up the forks or fairing.

It can be a liability though. I once took my RS exploring off pavement in The Sierras on a dirt road that was all silt. Neither my front nor rear brake worked at all due to ABS. Trust me, it is very weird and unnerving to ride a 700 lb bike with absolutely no brakes. The only way I had to slow myself was with engine braking.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Jnclem]

So, the best way to test the ABS is on hard packed dirt then? I was wondering how hard you would have to brake to engage it on dry pavement.

[whyoldbill]

[Ernie-NH]

Hello all....

Got a kick out of Duck's description. """ wet road nipples while lane splitting "" ... IF I even try lane splitting in totally stalled traffic anywhere here in the east, wet road or not, drivers try to kill me by swerving into me just as I approach..... "Wet nipples" ? Dont know how you guys do it !!

BTW...... '95 K1100 is ABS II and it works great (most of the time ) !!

Best regards....ride safe...../ Ernie in NH
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AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

[Flying Duck]

I've had a lot of local guys bring their Ks by my house to pick up parts or whatever. Many of them have never experienced ABS and are understandably nervous about it. I'll take their bike down to the end of the alley, turn around, get it up to about 40 and then right when I go by them I slam on the rear brake so they can witness it in action.

It's really not that hard to get the rear ABS to kick in on dry pavement.

Funny story: Prior to purchasing my K11LT, my prior bike was a non-ABS K75RT. When you hit the brake hard enough on that the rear would just lock up like any "normal" bike would.

Prior to closing the deal on the LT, I took it out for a test ride. Once I was out of sight of the owner, I started riding it a bit harder just to make sure it was sound. One of the things I did was slam on the rear brake when going straight, expecting it to lock up. Nope. CHUNK, CHUNK, CHUNK. I thought WTF? That's really f'd up! No way am I going to buy this bike.

About 200 yards later it dawned on me that I'd just had my first ABS experience. LOL
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE