ASC - How do you know if you really need this option?

[Kekoa]

When purchasing a new R1200R how important is it that it have ASC? What are some of the determining factors in why you should have ASC; does your location, driving conditions (weather), and type of driving play a large role in this decision?

From what I've been reading here; the ASC option cannot be installed by the dealership and only through BMW?

[websterize]

I sought out the ASC option for peace of mind. I commute year round in all kinds of weather.

Fairly sure a retrofit kit is available at your local Motorrad dealership.

[deilenberger]

It can be retrofitted by a dealer now - for considerably more than it costs if you order it when you order the bike.

How do you know if you need it? Dunno.. all it takes is a bit of antifreeze on the road to make you need it, or a wet center line you happen to cross over.

[rex akro]

I suppose the only way you will know if you need it is if you end up on the floor through giving it a big handful.

Just go steady if the conditions are dodgy and you should be o.k. There's usualy always a lot more grip available than you think unless there's Diesel or something on the road.

And if there's enough Diesel on the road you will probably come off regardless of wether you had ASC or not, but if it gives you peace of mind and you can afford it then get it.

[Mollygrubber]

I can only say this: my has come on twice - once when I WAS trying to engage it, and once on a tar-snake infested highway on-ramp in the wet. That last one would have been the cause of at least a huge pinch mark in my seat, so I'd say it's worth it.

FWIW, one of the reasons I started looking at Beemers was the level of sophistication regarding electronics. Maybe the other manufacturers will catch up at some point, but why NOT have when you CAN have it?

My 2¢...

Peter

[Kekoa]

There's a R12R that I want to buy, but it doesn't have ASC, so I'm hesitant in buying it. It seems ASC is a must have option for the R12R.

[xprof]

OK, I really know nothing about ASC, but a BMW mechanic I talked to who rode it really hated it. He said it kicked in every time he accelerated away from a stop, and that it kicked in hard, not soft. Of course, he always takes off like a scalded cat, but his advice to me was to not get it. For what it's worth...

[deilenberger]

OK, I really know nothing about ASC, but a BMW mechanic I talked to who rode it really hated it. He said it kicked in every time he accelerated away from a stop, and that it kicked in hard, not soft. Of course, he always takes off like a scalded cat, but his advice to me was to not get it. For what it's worth...

Ever notice how some mechanics know everything?

Funny thing is - he doesn't know it has a disable button on the left switch assembly I guess. If he hated it so much, it would seem not too much trouble to move ones thumb over and turn it off.

FWIW.. I generally take what mechanics (and most doctors and lawyers) say with a grain of salt, and confirm what they're saying with other sources. Mechanics in particular seem to feel they should always be able to give some answer to any question you ask, and apparently don't know the words "I dunno.." I've finally found an MD who says once in a while "I dunno.. lets see what I can find out.." Never met a mechanic or lawyer who said those words.

EDIT: I'll add in "service managers".. actually heard the "They all do that" from one on Saturday. Piffle..

[deilenberger]

There's a R12R that I want to buy, but it doesn't have ASC, so I'm hesitant in buying it. It seems ASC is a must have option for the R12R.

If it's new - talk to the dealer and tell them it's a deal breaker. BMW put in the retrofit program for exactly this reason. People weren't buying bikes 'cause hardly any of them made it this side of the pond with ASC.. and it's a pretty simple matter to retrofit it (new switch assembly, and software download). The dealer will probably claim they never heard of this*.. if they do, come back and I'll try to find the SIB on it and/or the announcement from BMW-NA.

* = selective deafness is really rampant among sales managers and sales people.. especially when it involves them doing some work to sell a bike. They'd really rather you take it as they have it - and you go away and stop bothering them, but if you're enough of a bother, sooner or later they'll start hearing you.

Edit: More info on retrofit: http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19075

[hjsbmw]

When purchasing a new R1200R how important is it that it have ASC?

If you're riding currently, how often does your rear wheel spin? For me, that would be a good reference point for how importantly I need to have ASC.

[Kekoa]

My current ride is a 2001 Honda VT750 cruiser and I haven't felt any rear wheel spins (other than when the motorcycle is moving, haha). Most of my time riding is on the highway, commuting to work.

[Caol]

I've been riding an '07 R12R without ASC (wasn't available at the time), but with all the other bells/knobs/whistles. I've been riding for more than a few years, and am not particularly aggressive so I haven't missed having ASC.

However, I ride ATTGAT, have ABS, carry insurance and buy new tires before the wear bars show, so the next machine will have ASC as well. I'd much rather have it, and not need it than the other way 'round.

But then, it is my intention to be a very, very, old motorcycle rider!


Kyle

[celticus]

I don't have it but I might purchase ASC on a new bike if it wasn't expensive if and ONLY IF you could turn it off.

Mark

[Dauntless]

OK, I really know nothing about ASC, but a BMW mechanic I talked to who rode it really hated it. He said it kicked in every time he accelerated away from a stop, and that it kicked in hard, not soft. Of course, he always takes off like a scalded cat, but his advice to me was to not get it. For what it's worth...

I have ASC and I have never had it activate on dry pavement even with a very heavy throttle. Maybe he was experiencing the rev limiter kicking in.