BMW R1200RT IABS3 Servectomy - Whizzy brakes removal

BMW R1200RT/GS/ST 2004 to 2006 were fitted with BMW integrated ABS IABS3 which used servo motors to give more braking power with less lever effort. Sounds great till it fails. System is very prone to failure after some years and many parts are unavailable. The pressure sensor inside for the rear wheel circuit failed on mine with Moto scan error code 618c showing which is equivalent to GS911 24972 'Pressure in rear wheel circuit too high'. Can't find these sensors anywhere so decided to just remove the unit and go back to regular hydraulic braking, no Whizzy servos. I got the parts from motorworks.co.uk.

[@kevinjeng6798]

I love the way you delete the warrning lights by painting.

[@USMCCGAGNG]

It's always fun to watch other guys dropping screws and tools, letting me know I'm not a big idiot. 😁

[@martymo9502]

Good man, excellent comprehensive video covering how to remove the servo pump. I had exactly the same as your bike with literally no rear brake, absolutely no failsafe mechanism, which is a bit of a howler mistake by BMW. Got my kit from Motorworks today and have the bike converted and bike back together, took about 4 hours to strip and rebuild. I actually prefer the positive feel of direct line brakes, and at least I have the confidence to commit to cornering again, knowing that I'll have a back brake again.

[@mdrauh]

Very helpful video, thanks for sharing! Will be doing this on my own ‘05 RT sooner or later.

[@carlosaguilo945]

Tanks it was very helpful I just did this to my R 1200 GS that has the same ABS....since I did not have the kit that you use I use the original pipes and use then to link the parts. I have a pipe fitter so I am able to use it. Then make a plate to cover the electronics hope all will go well...

[@boothyrock-it8822]

Very good, just converted my bike using your video, many thanks, very dissapointed with Bmw who didn't want to know.

[@Breakrite]

Late to the party. I have exact same year/model (2005/r1200rt) and have been wondering what the solution is. Solved. Excellent video. Thank you for allowing us to ride along.

[@alanbadenhorst8235]

Great vid Martin - thanks so much! Well narrated and explained

[@ManosVwGTI]

The best video i have ever seen with sow many ditails.Thanks!!!

[@kliderskope3662]

Thanks for this, a really well explained walk through. I’m planning on doing this on my 2005 GS but was worried about giving it a go as I am no mechanic. I reckon there’s no real difference between the two bikes after watching this.

[@tonymartin3780]

Well done cracking job and made a great bike

[@sidahmedbelarbi64]

A shop by the name meeclassic created a caffe racer from an R1150RT and it looks lovely. I am planning to do the same with an R1200RT that I didn’t buy yet so I had no idea what I ll be finding under the plastics. since I will be replacing the frame and tank I thought the newer models will have too many parts that will make a custom frame hard to put in place comparing to an R100. Now I got an idea on what I ll be dealing with. Thanks for tripping it down :)

[@GuiRt1150]

Nice work👍👍 I think when its good , really is a power braking like no other bike. But when came problems its dificult To solve . We Never really know when it Will fail …depend bike to bike . Your bike seams To me have 100000 miles …and a lot of hard life… 👍👍

[@simon2knine]

Nice interesting video...Love the nail varnish tip..

[@michaelmcdermott1877]

Nice job. I just had my 2006 R1200GS brake pump fail while I was riding along. What stupid system to fit to a bike. Typical BMW over engineering. When I scanned the fault. It came up with multiple codes relating to the rear light open circuit and abs pump module. I was going to do exactly what you have done there and bypass the abs pump. However after investigation I found out that my rear light was corroded internally and shorted out the abs module. I found that even after repairing the fault and clearing the codes, the pump still wouldn't work until I disconnected the battery to reset the ecu. It's all working perfectly again now. When it fails again I'm just going to bypass the whole rubbish dangerous system.

[@martyshep99]

It's a crazy system, great you managed to get it to behave again. It's scary to have to be wary of it possibly failing again while riding.

[@user-dn3gy8fj6j]

excellent job !!

[@mariogauthier1957]

for the brake light flash juste remove the blue relay in the relay box

[@paulhooper8635]

It's really disappointing that BMW has not stood by their customers with this known issue and a shame we have to resort to removing the ABS all together

[@wallyt1727]

Seems to be the way they do business.

[@LudwigDesmet]

Hi Martin, thanks for the video, is the problem solely in the 2004-2006 models, or do earlier and later models also suffer from this module failure?

[@martyshep99]

It is just 2004-2006 that had this servo assisted braking fitted

[@user-ly5hi8cp2u]

Dear Martin, Thanks for your great tutorial video on how to do the abs bypass, I have a 2005 R1200RT which almost killed me due to the abs brake failure so decided to do exactly the same ectomy as you did. There's one thing that I don't understand about the size of the crash washers used for butting the banjo bolt, could you please tell me the size of them. I will start placing orders for the parts to bmw motoworks once I receive the guidance from you. Thanks again for your great works, you might save life's for what you did. Patrick from Taiwan

[@mistery00t29]

Bmw bike is like range rover...beautiful until warning light comes up...

[@christianweller4288]

Awesome… thanks. Intending to get a similar RT at some point and it’s nice to know this can be done .

[@martyshep99]

Yeah it can be done but then does leave you with no ABS, just regular old fashioned disc brakes. If I were buying again I'd look for one 2007 and newer, they don't have the whizzy brakes

[@andrewchapman2783]

I had my ABS nonsense removed and I much prefer it now.

[@ktracerx1]

great video need to do mine did you have the front adapter made or is it available online

[@martyshep99]

The parts are available online from motorworks.co.uk www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=6&Q=BRA50965A I gave them a call, they were very helpful.

[@robingalloway6857]

Great Vid! Its helping me do mine! A question, How do you get the needles in the clocks off please?

[@martyshep99]

The needles just pull straight off but you don't need to remove them. When you disassemble the dashboard that whole front comes off.

[@robingalloway6857]

@@martyshep99 fantastic thanks, that was the only thing worrying me! I bought a 2005 rt1200 with 12k miles and warm dry stored last week but of course no back whizzy brake! Thanks for your great vid !

[@pianostudio79]

Hello, where did you get the kit used in the video (maybe a link, please). Thanks, great vid!

[@lipsee100]

Really informative vid,, I was quoted £250 for this job,,seems I could do it my self...did you get those bits as a kit or separately ? Another thing have you any corrosion on your back wheel, I just noticed today corrosion all the way round the inside (shaft side ),what a ugger! may look for a replacement wheel .. Lasty what great bikes thou,, dam sight better then a new one!! oh I,m riding a 2005.

[@martyshep99]

Does that £250 include the parts? If so that's a good deal, save you the ag. It's not difficult tho. No corrosion on wheel for me.

[@carlosaguilo945]

You know I also have a 2000 R 1100 RT with a ABS failure however this unit works just fine without the ABS... not like the 2006... you just loose the brakes if the ABS fail... that is catastrophic

[@markgibbs9198]

Hi Martin, brilliant video very informative, will it still pass the mot when this is done?

[@martyshep99]

Yes still passes MOT. It's just treated as the non abs version is.

[@alfonsobenitez87]

Hello good morning. Greetings from Spain, thank you, first of all for your video, your contribution and your knowledge of it. It is of great help to many owners who have the same problem. Yes, please, would you be so kind as to tell me where you could locate the kit for its cancellation? or reference I can't locate it. I would be very grateful. Thanks for your video.

[@59vaughn]

Love my 03 r1150r tho ....best of a simple motorcycle...😉

[@amplify3735]

just done mine but instead of masking off the dash board LED I disconnected the relay under the seating area. would have liked the abs working but the I would not of got this 2006 model so cheaply. still a nice bike

[@RR-eg6gx]

It's r1200gs model?

[@nicholasjheinz7461]

Good job; purchasing kit great idea!

[@marksmotorcycle375]

Hi great video, well explained, I might end up doing this myself to my 2004 r1200gs, If the ABS sensors were removed would that stop the warning lights flashing, or could the LED’s be removed by un soldering them? Just a couple of ideas, I’ve watched s few videos like yours, but I like the way you complete the job and the parts you use too.

[@TattoomokoKN]

Vorsicht!! Damit bekommst du keinen TÜV in D! Hier wird anderst geprüft und auf einiges geachtet!

[@adv7586]

Did you have to change the brake switches or splice any wires, I have a 2005 RT too, plan to do the same, even tough it’s working perfectly

[@martyshep99]

Didn't have to slice any wires, all switches and both wheel ABS speed sensors stay in place as they also feed info for the Speedo. What you do is remove the electronics side of the great big abs that you will remove and put that back in the bike plugged back into the connectors. No splicing tho.

[@daviddarbyshire5846]

Hi Martin, I have an 07 rt so believe the brakes are not servo assisted? My brake fail light is continually on not flashing as yours was, any idea's much appreciated, thanks Dave.

[@martyshep99]

You should get any error codes by scanning the bikes ECU with motoscan or GS911 and that will point you too a culprit. Do check the front ABS sensor wire to see if it has chafed on the wheel or disc, there was a recall to fix that where it was cable tied so it doesn't touch any moving parts.

[@WillPower46]

THanks for the good video.

[@martinescucatalin8759]

Hi mr. Martin. I have the same problem with my 2005 R1200RT, rear sensor failure and i canotaj find any like this in whole internet. After you did this bypass for the abs module unit, how is the braking now? Is it any difference? I mean, do you need a longer distance to stop the motorcycle? Thank you for the video, it's awsome explained. 👍

[@martyshep99]

The braking distance is same as before. Brakes are fine and just like any other normal bike where brake cylinder connects to caliper directly. Okay so you do not have ABS now, but I rode bikes for many years before ABS was around. In emergency braking you have to remember to pump just as you used to with non abs models. As long as no error light is flashing it is not an inspection failure (MOT). Inspection tester does not care it is non ABS, they test it for same minimum braking power and mine passed no problems.

[@mattyvtx1]

@@martyshep99 fantastic video!! Can you please send me the link for the kit you used? Also, would just removing the blue abs relay under the seat take care of the lights flashing, and avoid the black nail varnish?

[@martyshep99]

@@mattyvtx1 the kit is available from motorworks.co.uk independent BMW motorrad specialist. I gave them a call and they knew all the bits I would need for my RT

[@martyshep99]

You could try removing the ABS relay but I think they just threw another error code

[@norbertbulot443]

ou commander les pieces pour les raccord. merci

[@bernardgoodens681]

Hello Mr Shepherd , I have the same problem , on my bike of 2005 , and I m looking on the site for the parts... But I cannot find it : how are they calling it ? do you have any reference ? Thanks...

[@martyshep99]

I would give them a call. They'll let you know exactly the parts you need for your bike

[@Mr2mtb]

i consider to do this om a K1200GT 2006 . how does your bike brake with this mod?

[@martyshep99]

Brakes perfect. Same as the standard RT with no ABS.

[@angusmitchell9804]

hi did you leave the abs rotors & sensors on

[@martyshep99]

Yes I left them in place

[@adv7586]

Hi how do you remove the clock/speedo cover off thanks

[@martyshep99]

When you remove the unit there are screws on the back to disassemble the unit. It's not a sealed calibrated unit with anti tamper screws. Just normal torx from what I remember

[@szabolcsfejer1338]

heh :D you might have had a rear brake pedal not closing the brake microswitch with that 10 mm adjuster screw... did you check that???

[@martyshep99]

Yes the brake light would come on with the pedal normally and cruise control would set and be cancelled with the pedal, so the micro switch was working.

[@dannyvan5792]

en als de motor verkocht word , wat dan met de abs ? welke koper gaat dat aanvaarden , ik niet

[@Dwainpipe21]

So don't buy one then , it's the next owners choice if you don't want to buy a bike with the abs removed then don't .What other people do is up to them and nothing to do with you so jog on.

[@RR-eg6gx]

I make everything completely same like on your video ,but I can't connect abs connection because immediately turning off engine after start moving ..when I disconnect it,bike run fine,but speedometer not working

[@martyshep99]

Yes without the electronics from the ABS plugged in, the speedometer will not work. Strange when it is plugged in that the engine will not run. Can you clean the large black connector with wd40

[@simon2knine]

How is the rocket,is she up and running.

[@martyshep99]

All good mate. She's back together running and changing gear well. Gonna keep it is my mad toy after putting supercharger on. Picked up this RT as my daily rider. Going to sell my Blackbird

[@simon2knine]

Good news she running..When are you doing the supercharger kit...Mine is still in off the road, the engine is nearly back together..Have a few parts at the power coaters..Going to fit cartridges in the forks..Fingers crossed she will be finished by the end of the month..Really regret sell the ZX12,thought at the time 1 bike was a good idea...Bad idea should have kept it.. Your BMW looks ok mate...should be better without that silly ABS..

[@dannyvan5792]

bmw zonder abs en de lampjes zwart gemaakt .ik vind dat geen goed idee. waar is nu de veiligheid v d abs?

[@Dwainpipe21]

You can't get the parts to repair them or if you can they cost more than the bikes worth so it is effectively scrap/ parts only .There is no other option but to remove the abs , yes it's less safe than having abs but how many bikes had abs in the old days ???? Non and we all managed just fine .

[@redbull8661]

If you're religious about flushing the fluid in that unit and the brake reservoirs will they last? I have a 2006 and it hasn't failed yet but I flush my brake fluid every 2 years.

[@hessamkashani7608]

Proper bleeding of this system means also changing the fluid in the ABS which means removing the tank. This system is not a simple bleed at the calipers like other conventional brakes

[@redbull8661]

@@hessamkashani7608 I know, I just did it. I'm sure that's why a lot of people don't service it like they should.

[@mikkei3532]

I have Honda CBF 1000 ABS and any honda and Yamaha or suzuki or kawasaki has no ABS failues EVER . Even my colegue has got 1992 Paneuropean ABS - Zero problems

[@martyshep99]

Yeah I've never had ABS issue on any other bike, it is limited to this iABS that BMW used from 2004 to 2006 on R1200

[@TheOllymo]

Hi, just curious if you know if it was possible to remove the gear sensor, potentiometer without removing the swingarm and other bits? Your video is very educational I am hoping maybe you can point me to the right direction with the problem I am having with my 2009 r1200rt. Thank you

[@lipsee100]

Yes it is ,, Mine fail and I took it too a garage and a young guy with small hands did the job.... Wildmans ,,Spilsby, Lincs

[@TheOllymo]

cheers, managed it myself since, it was fairly easy just a little awkward to get to

[@alfonsobenitez87]

Hello, good afternoon and thank you for the interesting information you provide. Would you be so kind as to tell me the parts code please, I don't have the delivery man's number, I would be very grateful.

[@martyshep99]

Hello. I got the parts from motorworks.co.uk they are very helpful and will let you know the list of parts required for your model

[@alfonsobenitez87]

@@martyshep99 ok perfecto thank you very much from Spain

[@59vaughn]

Yep ...superior German engineering....without a reservoir and filtration addition...go figure...

[@TattoomokoKN]

Technisch machbar, jedoch erlischt hier in Germany die Betriebserlaubnis und TÜV / HU ist nicht mehr möglich !!

[@martyshep99]

In the UK the brake efficiency is tested during the annual MOT (TUV HU equivalent) on two rollers. As long as brake efficiency passes the tests and there is steady pressure build up when braking and no grabbing, it doesn't matter if it's ABS model or not. The ABS part of it is never tested.

[@TattoomokoKN]

@@martyshep99 Now in Germany it is checked whether control lights work. They had painted the LED too. That alone is enough that you don't get a Tüv. Of course, since everyone is afraid of the abnormal costs of changing brake fluid, I commented on that. That puts one off to do something in Germany. That's why the comment is also in German, I'm a master motorcycle mechanic, workshop manager and happen to have a 2006 R1200 RT K26 in service.

[@TattoomokoKN]

Bei uns sitzt der Prüfer darauf, dreht eine Runde und macht eine Vollbremsung, löst ABS nicht aus, automatisch durchgefallen.

[@austinmatthews347]

one question isnt the red triangle led for oil pressure warning surely if your oil pressure goes you wont get a warning

[@martyshep99]

The red triangle does come up with oil pressure issue and no charge from alternator in addition to the icon on the LCD display for battery or oil pressure. Just the icon on the LCD is fine for me. I don't need the large red icon to tell me to look at the LCD to see the battery icon or oil symbol.

[@austinmatthews347]

@@martyshep99 actually the red warning i think is for oil pressure and the symbol on dash is for oil level two different sensors i have same bike as you near identical lovely bike by the way but my red warning is covered over like yours but i no longer have oil oressure warning thinking how to resolve

[@martyshep99]

You can download a handbook from BMW if you do not have one. www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/service/manuals/owners-handbook.html The red triangle does not light on it's own, it displays with either the battery icon to show charge issue or with the oil icon to indicate loss of oil pressure. Oil level is checked using the BC when the bike is running but not in gear and it displays oil and a tick if ok level

[@martyshep99]

One thing I have noticed tho, is the yellow led will not light. This is because the red LED is permanently lit (although covered up) and the red LED warnings are higher priority. So although I do get the LCD displays for too high temp or fuel low, it doesn't show me the yellow. At the end of the day the red and yellow icon are to get your attention and you then look at the LCD to determine the reason for the yellow or red. Just means I need to be more attentive to the display.

[@austinmatthews347]

@@martyshep99 i will tead my owner manual to clear what warning mean what thanks for your response

[@steeneriksen9446]

Db

[@lenrichardson7349]

Clearly not a BMW lover.

[@dannyvan5792]

not a good idee no abs

[@boothyrock-it8822]

You are joking brakes so much better without abs

[@robsonenduro3316]

what a BS design by BMW - wouldn't get this bike even for free,

[@vygantase]

Hello, I did the same repair as your video, but my R1200RT in 2005. the speedometer no longer works, maybe it happened to you after the repair?

[@boothyrock-it8822]

Same happened to me check you have fitted the electrical connector properly to the electronics module it should be fully seated.