ABS > non-ABS
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I wish my bike didn't have ABS. It engages at a super low threshold when the engine is off. It engages it too low of threshold when riding over wet BOTTS dots too. Then factor the bonehead design of "freezing the lever/pedal solid" when there's a defect, and you have NO FRIGGIN' BRAKES. Nope, I wish I didn't have ABS on any of my bikes...
Last edited by bikerlaw; Apr 29, 2018 at 08:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 625
Likes: 172
From: Massillon, Ohio
...my biggest concern if I were to be interested in buying an '08-'11 that had ABS, is that how long are the modules and/or the control units going to be available? Someone said on another post there was 13 ABS units available on eBay one day and the next they all disappeared? So the MOCO bought them all up? For the guys that do all their own work on their bikes, how do they repair their own bikes if the parts aren't available? Kinda like you're being forced to take your bike to the dealer for repair. After reading pages of bad dealership experiences, would you want some of these "techs" working on your bike's brakes? Are independent repair places going to be able to get the ABS parts from the MOCO to make repairs?
Last edited by anthony_b.; Apr 29, 2018 at 09:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
They also don't like when I do a "pirouette" on the kickstand...lol.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Man, some truly self righteous people here.
One of the selling points for my bike was the ABS. I was very happy to have it. Oh, wait...
4 years latter I come to find that the MOCO's version of ABS is completely sub-standard and God help the poor fool who forgets to flush his system, because he may just become the next crash statistic that is currently plaguing the Mothership. Please, feel free to read about the free brake flush thats being offered, as well as the multiple documented crash reports from locked brake levers and pedals. So yeah, there are quite a few of us that were ONCE excited about ABS on their new bikes, but NOW are actively searching out ways to safely and permanently DELETE it. I'm one.
One of the selling points for my bike was the ABS. I was very happy to have it. Oh, wait...
4 years latter I come to find that the MOCO's version of ABS is completely sub-standard and God help the poor fool who forgets to flush his system, because he may just become the next crash statistic that is currently plaguing the Mothership. Please, feel free to read about the free brake flush thats being offered, as well as the multiple documented crash reports from locked brake levers and pedals. So yeah, there are quite a few of us that were ONCE excited about ABS on their new bikes, but NOW are actively searching out ways to safely and permanently DELETE it. I'm one.
I have no plans to remove it, and I plan on changing the DOT 4 often. If the unit did go south I'd figure out a way to trailer it to a dealership because my understanding is I can't get the parts to D.I.Y. There seemed to be quite a few anti-ABS people out there and I wanted to hear more opinions.
Honestly, as new and electronically controlled as this thing is I'm hesitant about changing anything from the way Harley designed it.
Honestly, as new and electronically controlled as this thing is I'm hesitant about changing anything from the way Harley designed it.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 18, 2018 at 07:19 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
Nope I wouldn't even consider taking it off. There are plenty of bikes for sale that don't have it if you don't want it. Not to mention you shouldn't notice it's there if you're using proper braking technique whenever possible.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,534
From: Tulsa
If you want to remove ABS, it will be a DIY procedure. There isn't a mechanic out there willing to expose him or herself to the liability of removing it. And I would reckon a HD dealer would refuse to service a bike so modified. Kind of like asking Ford to remove the airbags and seatbelts from your car.
If you don't want ABS, easier to buy a bike that never had it.
If you don't want ABS, easier to buy a bike that never had it.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: West Michigan
2016 SGS. I'm liking the ABS with the linked braking system. You can put on the back brake and you can feel the front brake apply a small degree. No lock up just a little added braking. The brakes on my SGS are very good.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Simie
Just my 2 cents worth.
Simie
Novice
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 7
From: Chicago burbs
I will never ride with ABS again, the HD ABS system tried to kill me two weeks ago and it's coming right the hell off my scooter. I've never heard of an ABS system that fails to a no brake condition, if it failed to a no ABS condition that would be reasonable but to fail to a no brakes condition is criminal. You want to know who would remove ABS? People like me who have had it fail in a near fatal manner.
