clever. It is linked front to back, and back to front. Meaning if you apply the front brake, the rear brake is actuated and vice versa. There’ s also lean-sensitive ABS and DTC that prevents unintended throttle application under extreme braking to ensure the shortest possible stopping distance. That’ s all part of the Linked ABS Pro package. The front discs are 310 mm and the rear is 285 mm with BMW branded calipers. The braking is very good but not absolutely outstanding like the stunning M1000XR, where it needs a bit more lever pressure for really hard braking. And, at times, when using the rear brake in conjunction with the front it feels like there is minor pulsing / vibration through the front bake lever. I was completely baffled by this and went searching for an issue. In the end I think it’ s just feedback from the diff somehow affecting the rear- forward braking. Of course, I’ m not certain of this, but I can feel the action of a drive shaft and diff, universals etc through the bike … anyway, the more I rode the bike the less I noticed it. It’ s more of a feeling than a‘ thing’. Hill start assist has been on BMWs for a few years now and this year it is improved. It no longer wants to lock the bike in place unnecessarily at odd times, but when parked on a slope with the brakes on self-hold and you turn the engine off, the brakes are released
58 KIWI RIDER