EP:5 BMW R1250GS/A Brake problems, Hayes Calipers leaking brake fluid & New Brembo Calipers fitted 

Hallo, entschuldigt die Verzögerung mit den technisch korrekten deutschen und englischen Untertiteln, sie sind jetzt für diese Folge verfügbar. Viele Grüße, Carl Hello, sorry for the delay with the technically correct German and English subtitles, they are now available for this episode. Kind regards, Carl

I’ve been Riding for 23 years and I’ve always seen brembo as a premium brake option. I was disappointed to get my BMW GS with Brakes I’ve never heard of on it. Let alone mix matched brakes. Seemed like bmw was cheeping out. I was pleased to get brembos as a warranty fix but the gs as a premium bike should have always had Brembo brakes.

Your research, structure and delivery is unquestionably professional I’m not an engineer I don’t even own a GS but I can’t stop watching your videos lol. Who knows I may sell my trusty V Strom (who’s callipers have never leaked) and take the plunge one day! BMW should put you on the payroll (but then from a viewers point of view it wouldn’t be unbiased), excellent work Carl so refreshing to listen to a professional explaining just how it is . Keep up the good work 👍🇬🇧

Just checked my 22 1250GS Rallye, like yours, and was surprised to see Brembo calipers. Quite happy!!

Your analysis of how the different calipers feel is spot on with my experience. I actually liked the feel of the Hayes calipers, but my bike has now been fitted with Brembo calipers feel more progressive which work very well.

Hi Carl. I just discovered your videos. I have to say, as an owner of a 2021 R1250 GS Rallye exactly as the one you show, your videos are a revelation. I also live in Germany. Your explanations are spot on and I enjoy them a lot. Let me tell you about my experience with the bike so far, after 10.000 Km: the Hayes brakes do their job very well, however I have had nothing but noise (metal on metal noise) ever since I bought the bike. At the beginning whilst riding, and it was a pain to convince the dealer that the brakes had a problem, until they found it and repaired (the bike went 4 times into the workshop in the first 500 Km). Now the noise happens when braking. Front and rear. I never had this experience with my previous, non-BMW bikes. As of today the bike is again at the dealer because of a leak on the left telescopic fork. Another story: in Road mode, if my girlfriend rides with me in the back, I get a dialog box on the TFT display stating: „rear shock automatic adjustment defective“. Apparently, it‘s a known problem but as of today BMW does not have a solution for it. All in all, I love the engine, the bike and the way it rides. I am definitely not impressed with BMW‘s quality though. This is supposed to be a premium bike from a premium brand. Anyway, I wish you a lot of fun with it and a lot of success with the you tube channel. Keep it up because it‘s amazing! Best, Lino

good afternoon Carl, and sorry if the English translation is not clear, unfortunately I don't know how to speak English, you helped me with Google Translate

Hey Carl excellent video and such a shame that you've had to go through the hassle of dealing with this issue. I hope that you enjoy those Monoblock Brembos! This video had me going into the shed to check the Hayes calipers on my '21 R1250R. I'm happy to report that I have no signs of leakage despite using the brakes hard on several trackdays. I also find them to be excellent and I think that fact that the 1250 boxers have linked brakes also add to the really effective stopping performance. In fact I think the four-cylinder RR models do too, as well as the single R! I've made a Community post on my channel that links to your video in case any of my viewers own, or knows someone with a Hayes-equipped GS. Take care, Rich 😊

Exceptionally interesting and informative video mate, thank you!

Another perfect explanation video! Thx Carl!

My 1250 GSA, ordered late September, delivered last November (2021, France), has Brembo system. Pretty happy at the time to see that after reading the Hayes problem.

I bought a 2023 R1250GS manufactured in Aug 2022. It came with the Brembo calipers. ;)

Good and detailed report Carl, my GS has just been built and is now on its way to my dealer. Fully expect Hayes callipers and I’m happy that you rate their performance, I will keep my eyes peeled for any leaks appearing. All my BMW’s since 1985 have had Brembo’s and I have had no issues, shame that Haynes have had such a poor start with BMW.

Well I feel even more lucky that my 2022 GSA came with Brembo calipers now👍

Very nice video! Yes you’re correct about the difference between both brands: my previous GS had Brembo front callipers, and my current one got Hayes. I noticed the difference in travel distance straight away, and I have to say I liked it: they perform really really well even with just 2 fingers on the lever, and my GSA is not a light bike. Thank you for explaining the difference in manufacturing: I was aware of the potential leaking but didn’t look into it. I’ll keep an extra eye out on my bike! 👍

Thanks for another great video. I had a 2015 R1200 RT when I was in Germany and it had Brembo brakes. I assumed my '21 GSA would too but I just looked and it has Hayes on it. Now I know to look closer for leaks. So far they've been good. All my other motorcycles have had Brembos and I obviously couldn't tell the difference from the Hayes. Fantastic brakes as far as I'm concerned and I do push the bike pretty hard in the twisties.

Really like your videos. I bought a 2020 R1250GSA in the US with the Hayes brakes. It was recalled due to the caliper issue although I never noticed any fluid leakage. I found the Hayes brakes to perform well, with the difference you noticed in terms of lever travel. They replaced the calipers with Brembo’s and I found those to feel mushy and slow to grab. Not a complaint but just a noticeable difference. I’ve looked at all the new motorcycles on my dealers website and it appears all the bikes have Brembo brakes. Quite surprised to see the Hayes calipers on bikes in Germany. Thanks for all the great info.

My R1250gs triple black is being/has been built this week at the Berlin factory. I expect it to be equipped with Hayes callipers . Thanks for the video , nicely done and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for leak’s.

Hi Carl, and once again… a great and very informative and useful video. My GS has barely 650km and based on your video and experience, I guess I should have received a recall letter from BMW informing me about this issue. After all, it is not just a defect, it is one that has to do with the brakes! Perhaps they think that the bike will eventually come to a full stop in one way or another 😳. I know now who I will be calling first thing Monday morning… Not thrilled at the moment with how BMW apparently deals with these issues, but very thankful to you for bringing up this topic. Now at least I can get it fixed. Wonder now if I will get the Brembo or Hayes calipers. Cheers, Max

great video thx ! i had my calipers replaced on my gsa under warranty, no explanation was given ! i have the bmw calipers ( sept 2019 bike). The brakes are phenominal ! though i would point out that the bmw s1000rr is a lot lighter than a gsa which may explain why the brakes felt so much better. 👍

PS - Sorry, Thank You very much for the information and Video! :)

Cracking Vlog Carl. I noticed the same as you with the Brembo the Hayes dont have the same feel I do prefer the Brembo's . My bike is in for its 6500k service at the end of the month so I will see what can be done with the oil warning keeping coming on. If you want to see how the RR M Series is on top speed and performance watch sat 14th the NW200 is lived streamed form my part of the world Northern Ireland ( I will be there) they are expecting the bike to top 210mph on public roads they were doing 190mph in the wet on Thursday race. Its on the BBC full coverage all day " real road racing" Regards Robert

Experienced exactly the same problem. I had my (new) bike for 2 months and both front hayes calipers sweated brake fluid. Both were replaced and a couple of days ago I noticed drops of brake fluid on the floor underneath the bike. The left hayes caliper leaks quite a bit of brake fluid. Filed a warranty claim again and today I got the news 2 new Brembo calipers were order to replace the faulty hayes ones.

Glad I have Brembros on my R1250R ;-)

Glad mine come std with Brembo's back and front ..in the UK BMW had a recall for the Hayes calipers .from 2021 all UK bikes had Brembo's.

This is what happens when Corporate makes a wrong decision to go for a lesser quality part for a premium brand! There was no reason for BMW to put Hayes on Premium bikes that cost over $20K USD. Good lesson to learn.

In usa, For the xr the hayes were all replaced with brembo. Did not matter if they were leaking. I think everyone else got nissin.

BMW has been having these problems with Hayes calipers for years at this point. As an American, I'm a bit embarrassed and happy my R1250RS came with Brembos.

You mention the brembos seem to give more lever travel, but then again it's using new calipers & pads on the old disks, so surely it's bound to feel a bit different until fully bedded in.

Very interesting, my experience of the Hayes calipers has not been good. I bought a 2019 GS Rallye and the calipers leaked from day one. Even before I got it the calipers were replaced due to leaking. To cut a long story short I rejected the bike and it was returned to BMW. Roll forward to 2021, I bought a 2022 GS Rallye again and it came with Hayes calipers. All GSA’ a from October 2021 are supplied with Brembos. I bit the bullet and changed the calipers to Brembos at my expense.

My 19 RT is still sitting at the dealer for a month waiting on parts. They would not order them unless the bike was there! Crazy!!

Had today ma first ride with my new 1250gs build 10/22 and after 100km both calipers are leaking fluid. Hope that i will get some Brembos :/

Hi Carl, thanks for your video's and tips for taking proper care of the bike. I have a GS with spoked wheels since two weeks. Do you have a tip on how to clean those wheels without contaminating the brakes? I wonder which product and method really work and are safe to use. Thanks in advance and good luck with your channel. I'm looking foreward to your next video.

They r afraid of your ytb channel so u got Brembo. Simple blackmail

My 2022 GS did not come with the led headlights. I read somewhere that when they become available they will change them out. Any idea?

I believe Brembo's are turning up again on BMW bikes. I've never had a problem on my Hayes GS1250 (2019)

My s1000xr gen2 2020 has these Hayes calipers up to yet I haven't seen no problem yes. And I keep my fingers crossed that I don't because my warranty runs out soon

I have a June 2021 1250 RT which has what I assume are the same brakes….ie BMW brand not Brembo. I notice when pulling up sharpish the bike gives out a ‘howl’ …….which I never experienced on my previous 2015 1200 RT fitted with Brembo brakes. They seem to work fine but the noise is disconcerting……any thoughts?

On my then new 2019 GS, there was a delay in delivering the bike to me due to faulty seals on the Hayes brakes. Interestingly my new 2022 GSA collected a couple of weeks ago, is back on Brembo brakes front and rear.

I recently subscribed and appreciate your videos. Feedback if I may, you tend to repeat what you say and I find it quite annoying. I don't need to be told the Hayes callipers are in two parts four times, honestly, once will do. Thanks.

Mine came with Brembo already installed.

Plenty of callipers (some Brembo) use a split design to no ill effect. My old T3 Cali is a one such. This is poor manufacturing and quality control. I’m staggered that they didn’t pick this up long before full scale production. I love the GS/GSA as a bike but not the build quality, some of the design and last, but not least, the service. I’ve moved to Honda for some perspective.

was the calipers on your test bike in two halves

I had a new bike from BMW in 2010 and it was a nightmare from day 2. The dealer and BMW kept arguing over the problem and after a year, the dealer refunded the money. I lost all faith in BMW after many years of championing the marque. Their build quality has reduced. I owned an R80rt, R100rt, K100rt and they were incredible bikes that stood up to high mileage. Look at BMW now and they clearly have quality control issues. The usual one is the silver/grey covering on the engine and shaft drive flaking off. I've owned 77 bikes and most makes. I'd rate Victory, KTM and Honda, as the best build quality. BMW need to improve.

I'd like to know whether it is possible to order a new bike with Brembo front brakes.

I never understood why BMW changed from Brembo to Hayes calipers. In brake tests the Brembo's have more stopping power and more feel in the lever than the Hayes, so it is quite understandable that with problems or warrenty claims BMW falls back on Brembo, which proved themselves in the R1200 GS(Adventure) models.

Well I have two gsa's my 16 have had zero problems with it 48,000 miles. My 2021 GSA came with Brembo brakes and no problems with it either. I wonder how it seems the RU-vidrs get the problem bikes one of my other motorcycles my GTL supposedly the big problem with them was they pulled left according to all the RU-vidrs. Never saw that problem at all with mine. I have a Jeep Gladiator that if you look at some RU-vidrs all they can do is find problems with it. So I wonder if part of the way you draw an audience is the controversy of a warranty problem with the bike

If fluid can get out… water can get in.

Hi, would you or anybody reading this know the Torque Values for the 3 off T40 bolts that retain both halves of the caliper together? I think I might have an issue here and wish to check the tightness. If I don't find them (Asked Hayes US - didn't want to give me them. Understand) If i don't find them, I shall probably break them apart anyway, assess (probably o rings each side) and replace with SS bolts and thinking of a torque value for these M8? bolts of 20NM

The 2022 S1000rr now comes with Nissin calipers

BMW website indicates that the manufacturer of the brakes will be different (than the bikes shown) on the current website and '22 models...

I would not buy a BMW with Hayes brake. Never

BMW........Buy. More. Warranty. ........sold mine worst bike I ever owned, suffered from corrosion and general faults, regarding corrosion BMW tried to blame me for riding in the wet in Autumn and spring.........just a crap company living on their past history 😭😭😭

good afternoon Carl, here I am delighted with your videos, I watch everything you write, and I would like to tell you that I have had the opportunity to purchase my new GS 1250 Rally with Brenbo brakes and my previous GS adventure with Haynes brakes and for me Brenbo they are much better, And I can tell you a trick taken from my days on the circuit that shortens the distance of the brake lever, the only thing that I have been thinking about for a long time is to patent the idea so that it is not copied, just like in my GS adventure I solved the loss of rear brake feel due to temperature, a 🫂🫡