Hi Team, hope you can help. New to me K1200GT ('04) which has been serviced by a non-BMW dealer. They have replaced the rear brake disk and brake shoes and 'replace brake fluid front and rear' with 'FERODO FBZ025 BRAKE FLUID DOT 5.1 (2x250ML)' which sounds odd (not enough for the whole system).

I have an issue with the brake, where pulling the handle initially gets you nothing/very little brake action and then suddenly almost full brake engagement. Made the trip from Brisbane to Sydney over Tamworth a really interesting one.......

Any advise? Thought about air in the system, but the sudden severe action almost excludes that (right?).

Appreciate your thoughts/tips.

Thanks, Rene

The dreaded servo brakes have a vastly more complicated bleed technique as compared to other non-servo BMW systems and if your service people don't understand the system or did not take the time to learn how to properly bleed it (with special funnel and tool) then the ABS pump more than likely has air in it. One cannot simply bleed the front and rear circuits to do it correctly. It is similar to the R1150RT of the same vintage if you care to have a look at You Tube videos for clarification.

BTW, DOT 5.1 & DOT 4 are fully compatible glycol-based fluids. 250ml x 2 hardly seems enough for both circuits and the ABS module/pump. I had and recently sold an '03 K1200GT with the very same brake system. It was a PITA to bleed correctly, and I had help from a tech at the (authorised) dealership where I worked at the time.

To add to TWB's comment about brake fluid: DO NOT under any circumstances use DOT 5.0 as this is silicon-based and will do nasty things to your current system. Bit of info here:-

http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/resources/faq/difference-between-dot4-and-dot51-brake-fluid/

The DOT need their collective ar$e$ kicking for allowing a glycol-based fluid to be given a number that is a variant of a silicon-based fluid.

TWB, you confirm my doubts. Will need some help from a team member around Sydney (John?).

I called the local BMW and asked for a price to get the brake lines renewed. I wasn't even finished and the girl told me I had to bring the bike in so they could have a look at it. On my question why she just repeated what she said - they need to see the bike first. Then there is some talk with a bloke in the background who tells her the same, need to see the bike first. I tell them its a BMW K1200GT, but again, need to see it first. I don't get any response but that. So ask again why as they should surely be familiar with a BMW bike one would think. Again, need to see it first. "Well, its silver....." Then she takes my number and "someone will call me back" Yeah right.....

Need to find another dealership, as this is going nowhere fast.....

Appreciate your advice, thanks.

Brgds, Rene