best way to bleed the ABS on a 2010 650

[soothsayer]

Thinking I should bleed up the ABS on my 650, previous owner never had it bled and I'm concerned about it packing up. The front brakes are strong but the back is awful and wonder if the ABS could be part of that, previous owner bled new fluid through and checked the caliper.
I seem to remember a post about an OBD device that can activate the ABS to bleed, and seen the post about home making one, what is the best way to bleed the ABS without going to a dealer?

[Upt North]

I spoke to a man who's forgotten more about bikes than I'll ever know.
This is what he said....
Normal bleeding procedure as per non ABS.
Then activate front and rear ABS in a controlled manner.
Job done but after a couple of ABS interruptions if you wish to be anal, bleed it again.
I followed this on my 2017 without incident.
I do believe dealers and mechanics may have access to the sort of set up you mention. But in the opinion of my man......no need.
Good luck.
Upt.

[Steve T]

I've just test ridden a 2010 650 Strom and it didn't have ABS!

Was ABS an option on the bike back then?

Steve T

 

PS - If I can shift my NC750X I will be buying the 650 Strom 

[The Doctor 46]

I had a 2012 and it had ABS. The engine is the same as the earlier bike but tuned slightly differently I believe and gives better mileage per litre. In my humble opinion it's a far better looking bike too, maybe the best V-Strom of all. 

Someone will be along to totally disagree to this  in a minute.

[Froglodyte]

That's a bit odd. ABS was fitted from 2006 as the 650A model. My 2010 has it.

[UK_Vstrom650]

As per Upt North, I only bleed the brakes regularly and cycle the ABS every now and then. Am sure that's enough to refresh the fluid.
I'd be more concerned with the wiring going to the ABS unit having read fairly recently of someone having an issue with their ABS which turned out to be the wiring to the module. I suspect that's why Suzuki has moved it away from the rear wheel on the newer models (but that's just a guess).
My bike has a rear hugger on it which pretty much stops any spray from the rear wheel heading towards the ABS unit.

Edited to add the 2012 styled bikes are the best looking of the V-Stroms. Classic was OK, 2012+ a much needed improvement, the beak version was like someone getting a bad nose job, and the less said about the blind Stroms (aka those where the headlight is useless in the dark) the better.

[Gert]

Have you had a look at https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=20719.0  (When did ABS become standard on 650) ?

Not sure If you have had a look at the youtube video "How To Bleed ABS Equipped Motorcycle Brakes" from SportbikeTrackGear.com ?

[soothsayer]

Thanks for the replies folks. Mine is a 2010 with ABS and twin spark plugs, same shape as the bike in the picture at the top of the page, ie the vstrom.co.uk picture.
Are the back brakes normally weak on these?

[Upt North]

If you haven't already fit EBC Brakes Double-H Series Sintered Brake Pads. They will give an improvement and besides that bleed and clean the system.
Upt.

[soothsayer]

so which model is the blind strom?

[UK_Vstrom650]

From comments I've read on here/Stromtrooper, the 800 with its LED headlight has very poor visibility riding at night, to the extent they're querying if it's legal.
I think the single headlight versions are also prone to comments of poor visibility though not to the extent of the LED ones.

[purplebikeunicorn]

IMO - yes the rear brake is not as strong as other bikes I've ridden. That said, the front brake was dire on the (organic) pads my bike came with. EBC HH pads transformed it.

Consensus seems to be that the ABS channels are blocked off when the ABS is not activated. The device to activate the ABS didn't use OBD iirc but fooled the sensors into activating the ABS at a standstill.

Fully bleeding normally, then activating the ABS a few times, then re-bleeding (if you want to) should exchange the fluid in the ABS unit.

Your era of bike I think has the ABS module right next to the exhaust? So yes, bleed regularly to avoid it clogging up.

[soothsayer]

Well I gave all the calipers a good service and found front sliding pins on one caliper were stuck and the back wasn't pretty. Fitted HH pads all round and bled front and back. Front has more feel and there was a long pull before any braking happened, which didn't feel right and has now gone, braking is a bit stronger although it was good before. The rear I can get the ABS working on tarmac without too much hard stamping so a load better, it actually slows the bike but isn't graby. 
Will make sure the abs gets regular use and bleed annualy. Good result and thanks all.