I drove jeeps for the last 30 years. I only got ABS a couple years ago. 😊

I don't slam on anything. I have tested my breaking and abs isn't too obnoxious. It's tolerable, but I would much rather it be up to me. Same with TC, but I just haven't bothered with it yet.

 

Too many situations where a motorcycle braking should be one wheel or the other, but not both. Linked brakes, ABS and traction control introduce as many issues as they resolve.

 

I have ABS, it's still up to me. The ABS kicks in only when I blow it and overbrake for the conditions.

Which, is why I decided I wanted it on the latest bike.

A perfect rider I am not. As I've gotten older, I've gotten more comfortable with admitting that I am not perfect. I do make mistakes.

I've also found ABS kinda interesting and helpful when it comes to getting better at optimizing my threshold braking. For honestly, I can't tell you with precision just how close I am when braking hard. Am I at 90% of my traction? Or perhaps only 70%. Maybe I'm at 99% and didn't realize it. A rear wheel lockup doesn't bother me much, but I really dislike a front wheel lockup, especially at speed. Using the ABS as a handy 101% active measuring device of my braking has been interesting, educational, and helpful. I actually do get pretty close to the limit of traction when I'm braking hard. Nice to know.

Sometimes it's darn nice to have ABS, like when I do screw up and find myself having to dodge or maneuver hard while hard braking. Let the ABS do the brake modulation while I focus on the maneuver. Does seem to work better.

I feel somewhat similar with regards to traction control. Especially if the engine is capable of squirrel-bait power and personality without it. When I'm crawling through the snow or up a muddy slope or in something technical, a nice, docile, easily modulated engine sure is a boon. For not everything is a simple drag strip where i just want all the power I can get.

 

When did HD put the TC on the Softail I'm pretty sure my '22 LRS has none?

 

It's an option on the 23 Breakout. Not sure about the other softails.

 

NO! In Canada, it is STANDARD:

https://www.harley-davidson.com/ca/e.../breakout.html

Jim G

 

Depends on the market, my 18 plate FXFBS has it, but then they wouldn't have been able to sell it here without it

 

I wish my bike didn't have ABS as I did not know the 2 year required flush and dealer what not as I don't like being married to a dealer. My bike is new so perhaps I will figure out a plan B before I need service?
As far as traction control, I'm not going to ride it in the ice or snow or anything. I can't see myself in the woods or a muddy off road situation.
Rain, I guess but do I truly need traction control in the rain on a bike?

I did however have a Volvo ABS save me years ago when I was flying through unknown hilly back roads searching for an address and when I seen the street sign appear at the top of the hill at an angle I turned off quickly at high speed thinking the raod was paved, Nope the road was not paved but new loose rock at 70 mph! the ABS stopped me solid on that loose rock, save me and my car!

Perhaps this stuff will unexpectedly save the day on my motorcycle?
I would have preferred better shocks, or even an adjustable windshield as thats the only tech I would like to see.

 

Not a big fan of ABS, extra brake lines, the controller and the service. I’ve had it activate a few times on hard braking with my roadster and it while it does prevent the front wheel lock low side for a novice, a seasoned rider could stop quicker with a bit of tire protesting.

 

Still true today!
"Positive ground depends on proper circuit functioning, which is the transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work. We know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of an electrical circuit, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing.

For example, if one places a copper bar across the terminals of a battery, prodigious quantities of smoke are liberated and the battery shortly ceases to function. In addition, if one observes smoke escaping from an electrical component such as a Lucas voltage regulator, it will also be observed that the component no longer functions. The logic is elementary and inescapable!

The function of the wiring harness is to conduct the smoke from one device to another. When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward.

Starter motors were considered unsuitable for British motorcycles for some time largely because they consumed large quantities of smoke, requiring very unsightly large wires.

It has been reported that Lucas electrical components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than their Bosch, Japanese or American counterparts. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British, and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, British shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brake systems leak fluid, British tires leak air and British Intelligence leaks national defense secrets.

Therefore, it follows that British electrical systems must leak smoke. Once again, the logic is clear and inescapable.

In conclusion, the basic concept of transmission of electrical energy in the form of smoke provides a logical explanation of the mysteries of electrical components especially British units manufactured by Joseph Lucas, Ltd.

And remember: "A gentleman does not motor about after dark."

Joseph Lucas "The Prince of Darkness" 1842-1903

A few Lucas quips:

• The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark."
• Lucas is the patent holder for the short circuit.
• Lucas - Inventor of the first intermittent wiper.
• Lucas - Inventor of the self-dimming headlamp.
• The three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF.
• The Original Anti-Theft Device - Lucas Electrics.
• If Lucas made guns, wars would not start
• Back in the '70s, Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which did not suck.

Q: Why do the British drink warm beer? A: Because Lucas makes their refrigerators."