ABS crappy system
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
So heres what Ive got from his thread, the MoCo are criminals for poor end user maintenance that theyve clearly stated needs to be done....and practically NOBODY does...the failure is from corrosion, because DOT4 absorbs water during the lack of maintenance, but thats the stealerships fault for hoarding the only machines in existence that can bleed an ABS brake system, and all new Harley suck!
Did i miss anything?
Did i miss anything?
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,083
From: san diego
this has been a known problem for some time. What I find hard to believe, is that they haven't been recalled, and two, they don't have to extend the warranty on the part. Benz came out with an electronic brake system, (not just abs.) in 2003, and these units started failing with similar regularity as the HD units. Benz was forced to warranty the part for 10 years, or 100K miles. They ate a crapload of them On the HD system, the danger factor is increased by a whole bunch, because at least the cars still always had brakes. I know the HD ones still have one half, either front, or rear, but in that time span, of finding out which one, you are eating a trunk lid. I guess the HD lawyers have been good at fighting off the hounds, on this, but it seems inevitable that it will be catastrophic sooner or later. Its a real bad deal.
There have been a few methods posted up on various web sites, and not sure how good they work. You have to be able to open and close the valves inside the hydro units for a number of seconds. But unless you have a record of the flush being done to "factory standards" it doesn't seem like they are warranting them anyhow. And how many have failed even with the flush being done? I would love to see those numbers! Corporate stabbed us in the backs on this one!
There have been a few methods posted up on various web sites, and not sure how good they work. You have to be able to open and close the valves inside the hydro units for a number of seconds. But unless you have a record of the flush being done to "factory standards" it doesn't seem like they are warranting them anyhow. And how many have failed even with the flush being done? I would love to see those numbers! Corporate stabbed us in the backs on this one!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
I can't believe I'm gonna say his, but... If harley requires them to do periodic maintenance and no others. Using the digital technition 2 which could be considered a harley part. Then this actually would violate the Magnusson moss act.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Digital tech is NOT REQUIRED to flush the brake system, if you are smart enough to pull fresh fluid into the system with out introducing any air into it, your done, no different than a non ABS brake system, if your not confident you could go to a dealer and have them run the ABS bleed procedure for a half hours labor, Digital tech ONLY makes it faster, oh and will download any updates there are for the system!
I have replaced every single component at one time or another since Harleys ABS came out in 05 and have yet to see one that didnt retain normal non-ABS braking!
I have replaced every single component at one time or another since Harleys ABS came out in 05 and have yet to see one that didnt retain normal non-ABS braking!
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Apr 11, 2017 at 09:39 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
I believe you believe that this type of failure can't happen causing the complete loss of one of the brakes on 2008-2011 ABS equipped bikes; but you're wrong. It happens because of a design flaw.
If you have a 2008-2011 ABS bike and you're not going to bleed the system with Digital Tech II (I don't either); you should at the very least go ride (after the flush) and engage ABS on both wheels multiple times, then come back and bleed them again. That's a shade tree way to swap the fluid stored in the HCU.
Life started getting real easy for me when I came to the realization that I didn't know what I didn't know. Prior to that, like most people, if someone told me something I didn't know; it was BS.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Apr 11, 2017 at 06:27 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
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From: SE Michigan
Not if independent shops can acquire the DT2, which I believe they can.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,083
From: san diego
Snap On has a new add on unit to their Modis scan tool, specifically for Harley. I don't know what functions it has, I saw it last week in their flyer that I get. Hopefully the truck will come by today, and I can ask some questions. The big issue here is their Modis is like 5-6 grand, and I bet the Harley add on will be around another grand, I'm guessing. Haven't looked at their web site, but If it can activate the abs, then independents do have access to a machine that can accommodate the independent market
Last edited by harleycharlie1992; Apr 11, 2017 at 08:21 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Snap On has a new add on unit to their Modis scan tool, specifically for Harley. I don't know what functions it has, I saw it last week in their flyer that I get. Hopefully the truck will come by today, and I can ask some questions. The big issue here is their Modis is like 5-6 grand, and I bet the Harley add on will be around another grand, I'm guessing. Haven't looked at their web site, but If it can activate the abs, then independents do have access to a machine that can accommodate the independent market
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 71
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From: Lubbock, Texas
My ABS unit did the same thing last October, no rear break. At that time the ABS unit was on back order. It took 2.5 weeks to get the new unit in and replace it $ 600.00 dollars later it was back on the road. The MOCO called me last month and wanted to discuss the problem with me, so maybe there is going to be something done about this problem. My bike had 104,000 miles on it when this occurred.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Carlsbad, CA
You do know that there are front breaks too? And that they provide about 70%. Of the breaking force.