Brake bleeding - do you need to cycle the ABS pump?

When bleeding the brakes, is is necessary or helpful to cycle the ABS pump? The BMW repair manual doesn't say anything about it. I ask because I found it much more difficult to get the spongy feeling out of the front brake lever this time. The last time I did it, I did cycle the pump using my GS-911. I cycled it between each caliper last time. Unfortunately, my laptop wouldn't cooperate yesterday so I couldn't do that this time. When I get the laptop sorted out I'll probably bleed them again to be sure but I was curious.

I don't. Routine brake bleeding doesn't need it in my opinion. If you strip the system or have ongoing problems I guess it might be worth a try.

Never had an ABS-equipped vehicle require anything "special" to flush the brake system with fresh fluid. My RS was straightforward enough and able to be done with power off. My Prius MIGHT have a special protocol because you do this fancy sequence of steps to put the ABS/traction control into a loop mode, and pressing the brake pumps fluid to the rears...just open the nipple and let it run...no pumping. For the front, you pump as usual. Not sure why the front and rear act different. Admittedly makes doing a brake flush fast and easy compared to a non-computerized car.

One way to bleed an ABS system with out activating the ABS pump electronically during bleeding, is to do a bleed procedure as you would on a non ABS system. Then ride the bike and find a slippery surface and brake hard enough to activate the ABS, then bleed the system again. The ABS pump circuit can have air or moisture contaminated fluid in it that will be put into the main circuit when the ABS is activated (this is why you want to bleed the ABS circuit as well).
Chris

Now that I have the demons sorted out on my laptop, I plan to complete my annual service this weekend. That will include resetting the maintenance reminder. I can cycle the pump then and see if the lever feel improves afterward. I can also do a manual bleed on the front for the same reason. The bike felt fine this morning on the way to work. I had to do a manual bleed last weekend as using the vacuum pump was a great way to flush the fluid. I had to go to manual bleeding to restore the lever feel. Thanks for the advice and tips!