Last week I changed my rear pads using Galfer pads. No Problems. Yesterday I did a little 200 mile ride with about 20 being on gravel. No dropped bike or water crossings. No problem.

Today I wanted to go on a little ride to warm up the engine for an oil change and BRAKE FAILURE light starts flashing! Turn off bike to reset system and when I turn the bike back on I notice there is no "whizzing and whirring" of the servo motors on start up. Also the light flashes but the red warning triangle does not remain lit. The fluid reservoirs for front and rear brakes are full.

According to the Owner's Manual the flashing light means that the system has not completed its startup check and can be ridden (although withour the benefit of GPS or the servo assistance).

I have about 5 weekend trips planned beginning next weekend. My closest dealer is 50 miles away (relatively close for BMW, but a ways to ride without brakes!).

I'm an old airhead guy. Was I supposed to reset something when I changed pads? Have I screwed up my brakes by using pads that did not have the roundel??? Should I but a Vstrom??? HELP!!??!!

After fiddling with the bike I just noticed that the brake light (LED) also does not function properly. The LEDs are pretty bright so I cannot tell if the brake light is not coming on OR the brake light is constantly on. I am going to refit the original brake light and get back with the results. In the meantime any suggestions would be beneficial!!!

No change after refitting the original light. I have also disconnectd and reconnected the battery to reset the system. Still no change.

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Kurt Nugent

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Is the speedo working?

I rode a 1200GS a few years ago, the servo's stopped working, along with the speedo. I put the bike in the garage & wheeled it out backwards the following morning, fired it up & al was well?

I think something must have caught in the rear ABS ring & confused the ABS sensor? This ring also operates as a speedo pick up, hence the speedo not working - worth a look.

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My speedo was working fine. It turns out it was the rear foot brake microswitch. I jiggled it a little and that seemed to fix the problem. I think it must have happened while riding on gravel yesterday. You would think a GS could handle a little gravel road!!

It does surprise me that a such a minor item can shut down the ABS and servo systems!!!!!

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Kurt Nugent

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I had a similiar problem, twice. It turned out both times to be dirt/grit in the switch that is activated by your foot/rear brake lever. It prevents the brake system from completing its test and the brake light stays on. I cleaned it by using some WD40 and basically flooding the contact to flushit out.
It could also be your hand protector for the front brake lever has twisted around to prevent the lever from fully disengaging.