ABS No Longer Available on Softails?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 575
Likes: 263
From: Spokane, WA
I didn't want ABS and had the dealer find me one without it when the new Softails came out. Previously, I've had three bikes with ABS and I prefer to be totally in charge of my braking. Just another point of view.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
ABS didn't help the resale value of 174,636 new bikes during model years 2008-2011. Turns out they had a Chinese ABS HCU that when it failed rendered one, or possibly both brakes completely inoperable. When it comes to Harley and "technology" it's always a big "if". The dealer caused my ABS unit to fail (the electronic controller) during a recall. The only thing the dealer or Harley said was "oh well, that'll be just shy of grand to fix it and the part is a dealer only item".
Anyone who looks at buying a bike that has ABS during those years automatically deducts $ from the price, if they have any sense.
Harley-Davidson Recalls 174,636 Motorcycles: Possible Brake Failure (ultimatemotorcycling.com)
Anyone who looks at buying a bike that has ABS during those years automatically deducts $ from the price, if they have any sense.
Harley-Davidson Recalls 174,636 Motorcycles: Possible Brake Failure (ultimatemotorcycling.com)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 4,209
From: NC
ABS didn't help the resale value of 174,636 new bikes during model years 2008-2011. Turns out they had a Chinese ABS HCU that when it failed rendered one, or possibly both brakes completely inoperable. When it comes to Harley and "technology" it's always a big "if". The dealer caused my ABS unit to fail (the electronic controller) during a recall. The only thing the dealer or Harley said was "oh well, that'll be just shy of grand to fix it and the part is a dealer only item".
Anyone who looks at buying a bike that has ABS during those years automatically deducts $ from the price, if they have any sense.
Harley-Davidson Recalls 174,636 Motorcycles: Possible Brake Failure (ultimatemotorcycling.com)
Anyone who looks at buying a bike that has ABS during those years automatically deducts $ from the price, if they have any sense.
Harley-Davidson Recalls 174,636 Motorcycles: Possible Brake Failure (ultimatemotorcycling.com)
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
Guess with out ABS you`ll be able to do the rear brake lock up skid during the MSF test now, that use to be a requirement to get your license then some bikes back then came out with ABS & threw that practice out. funny all the metric bikes come standard with it?????
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 52
From: Maitland, NSW
In Australia all new HDs have ABS since the release of the M8 softails. Fairly certain its a requirement for new motorcycles here since they all seem to have it now.
This might mean that the supply of new HDs here will be limited or non existent until this chip shortage sorts itself out.
This might mean that the supply of new HDs here will be limited or non existent until this chip shortage sorts itself out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Im wondering if that applies only to Softails where ABS is optional. I wonder about models where ABS is standard equipment like the Heritage. Will HD build them for the US market sans ABS or will they just not build them at all.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 841
Likes: 579
From: Canonsburg Pennsylvania
I place an order for a Street Bob 2 months ago. I put down earnest money. I just received a call from my Dealership that the MOCO is no longer offering ABS on the Softails and they will not honor my order. Has anyone else heard that ABS is no longer available for Softails? This is a safety feature I would like to have.
Thanks,
Fellow Forum Member
Thanks,
Fellow Forum Member