Security System and ABS
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
It would be very expensive if not almost impossible. Would be better to sell and buy one with ABS.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NY
Harley says it's impossible to retrofit ABS that it has to come from factory. If you can find someone thats willing to do it it's probably very expensive.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
There is absolutely no reason to not have ABS on a modern motorcycle. My current bike didn't come with it, and buying it was a mistake I regret. My next bike WILL have ABS.
Without question. Get it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
Security System and ABS
I don't want abs on any bike. Why complicate something so simple. Most will disagree with me . I just don't want a computer between me and the brakes. Plus sometimes I like to lock up the brakes on purpose.
Same with the alarm. Just unwanted crap in the way.
Same with the alarm. Just unwanted crap in the way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 647
From: Vegas, baby!
But sometimes a thief is deterred by having to do anything that makes their 'job' more difficult.
Back in 1971, I parked my scooter at UNLV, went into class, and came out an hour later to find my scooter was gone.
Most days I used a dog choke chain collar to lock the rear wheel, because where it was parked there was no chance of anybody putting it into the bed of a pickup truck and driving away. My thought was that the fork lock, and the little chain, would prevent anybody from riding it away. And it worked until the day I was late for class and didn't take the time to use the little chain.
I wouldn't have gotten a security system, because I used to carry a heavy chain, but since it was already on my scooter...
My point is that it may help.
Last edited by rjg883c; Jul 27, 2015 at 12:45 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I'm a bit of an ABS advocate. Maybe I'm just a shitty rider, but I have had ABS activate on almost every bike I've owned - not saying w/o I would have dumped, but sometimes you don't have time to react as planned (applying to threshold and releasing if crossing it and locking up) - A couple of weeks ago I was cruising along a street near home at about 30, and of all things, a Geico inspector car pulls a U turn right out of a parking spot, about 30 feet in front of me. Grabbed all I had on both brakes and felt the ABS shudder for a second as I stopped about a foot from the car, who's driver confirmed what an idiot he was by stopping dead in my path when he saw me coming. I don't get that... He did a "my bad" and drove away real fast as I was firing a string of explicatives at him...
Maybe w/o ABS I wouldn't have dropped it that time, but I'm glad I had it. Yes, if I was a better rider on a non-ABS bike, maybe I could have threshold braked as well, or better, but I don't want to find out. I'm also glad for the dual front discs on the FXDL.
And I'm pretty sure ABS systems fail-safe, so even if they cook, you still have regular brakes.
I'll never own a non-ABS vehicle.
That being said, I also have a security system and love never using a key...
Maybe w/o ABS I wouldn't have dropped it that time, but I'm glad I had it. Yes, if I was a better rider on a non-ABS bike, maybe I could have threshold braked as well, or better, but I don't want to find out. I'm also glad for the dual front discs on the FXDL.
And I'm pretty sure ABS systems fail-safe, so even if they cook, you still have regular brakes.
I'll never own a non-ABS vehicle.
That being said, I also have a security system and love never using a key...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 592
Likes: 46
From: Connecticut
I agree with much that has been said here. As a newer rider, I find threshold braking the hardest skill to practice (and I do, but not as much as I should). If I ever replace my FXD, it will be with an ABS bike.
I'll still practice braking, and add intentional ABS activations to get a feel for it, but why wouldn't I want that extra level of safety?
Look at it this way, how many of you ride on tires designed 30 years ago? While sure, if you have some original bike, you want tires that look the part, but for most riding, you want the best pattern and compound you can get, not a brand newly made antiquated tread pattern. Why? because tires are way better now, that's why.
Forget LEDs, or modern reflectors and bulbs, serious riders should limit themselves to 1970s headlights.
At the end of the day, if you are that good of a rider, the ABS will never kick in. Yes it costs $, but its like that insurance you pay for but never use because you are such a good rider.
Until you do.
But to me, its like wearing a helmet, I always do, but it is (or in some states, should be) personal preference. So leave the ABS garage queens for me, ill be buying one in a season or two.
I'll still practice braking, and add intentional ABS activations to get a feel for it, but why wouldn't I want that extra level of safety?
Look at it this way, how many of you ride on tires designed 30 years ago? While sure, if you have some original bike, you want tires that look the part, but for most riding, you want the best pattern and compound you can get, not a brand newly made antiquated tread pattern. Why? because tires are way better now, that's why.
Forget LEDs, or modern reflectors and bulbs, serious riders should limit themselves to 1970s headlights.
At the end of the day, if you are that good of a rider, the ABS will never kick in. Yes it costs $, but its like that insurance you pay for but never use because you are such a good rider.
Until you do.
But to me, its like wearing a helmet, I always do, but it is (or in some states, should be) personal preference. So leave the ABS garage queens for me, ill be buying one in a season or two.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I agree with much that has been said here. As a newer rider, I find threshold braking the hardest skill to practice (and I do, but not as much as I should). If I ever replace my FXD, it will be with an ABS bike.
I'll still practice braking, and add intentional ABS activations to get a feel for it, but why wouldn't I want that extra level of safety?
Look at it this way, how many of you ride on tires designed 30 years ago? While sure, if you have some original bike, you want tires that look the part, but for most riding, you want the best pattern and compound you can get, not a brand newly made antiquated tread pattern. Why? because tires are way better now, that's why.
Forget LEDs, or modern reflectors and bulbs, serious riders should limit themselves to 1970s headlights.
At the end of the day, if you are that good of a rider, the ABS will never kick in. Yes it costs $, but its like that insurance you pay for but never use because you are such a good rider.
Until you do.
But to me, its like wearing a helmet, I always do, but it is (or in some states, should be) personal preference. So leave the ABS garage queens for me, ill be buying one in a season or two.
I'll still practice braking, and add intentional ABS activations to get a feel for it, but why wouldn't I want that extra level of safety?
Look at it this way, how many of you ride on tires designed 30 years ago? While sure, if you have some original bike, you want tires that look the part, but for most riding, you want the best pattern and compound you can get, not a brand newly made antiquated tread pattern. Why? because tires are way better now, that's why.
Forget LEDs, or modern reflectors and bulbs, serious riders should limit themselves to 1970s headlights.
At the end of the day, if you are that good of a rider, the ABS will never kick in. Yes it costs $, but its like that insurance you pay for but never use because you are such a good rider.
Until you do.
But to me, its like wearing a helmet, I always do, but it is (or in some states, should be) personal preference. So leave the ABS garage queens for me, ill be buying one in a season or two.
