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I don't like ABS on bikes. No thanks. When fitted with new tires or new brake pads, after a proper break-in period for a 100 miles or so, hitting the front and rear brakes hard at different speeds to see where the skid threshold is with the new equipment. At least once, every couple rides up in the canyons, I do the same....testing to see where the bikes limits are when hard braking. I do have 18-inch wheels and PM brakes with floating rotors. and I am amazed at how quickly the bike comes to a stop for being 650lbs with me adding another 200.
I like to push the limits and know exactly where the limits may be at all times.
Always too much bickering about who is best at this or that or has skills on loan from god. Goal should be to gain skills to stay safe, not win a gold star for best in show. In the end, nobody is going to care.
Personally, I prefer ABS just for the peace of mind. I would rather have it than not. What someone else prefers is up to them.
I had the old ABS system on my Ultra before trading for the M8 Road King. Have toured enough with it now that there are some obvious differences. I think the older system was more liberal in application of ABS. It would activate too easily and sometimes just going over a small bump while braking would engage it. This doesn't happen with the new linked ABS. The linked system also does what it says it does. I apply both brakes in typical stopping but you definitely can really feel the boost by just using front or rear and stopping from higher speeds. It bites pretty good. And using the rear brake for stability at low speeds in stop-and-go works just fine as the linked system does not engage if braking is initiated at lower speeds below 30MPH. In the end, I look at it as an aid, not the end-all and be-all of safety when it comes to braking. I am glad I have it.
When I went shopping for a newer bike earlier this year, I insisted on getting a bike with ABS and Cruise control.
Now, cruise is just a creature comfort and I love it!! As for ABS, my reasoning is this.
In the old days, the brakes were so terrible on some Harley's that you didn't need ABS for the most part.
I'm going to upset some folks because I'm going to name their bike but whatever....
My best friend has a 1994 Heritage Softail and I defy anybody short of the Hulk himself to lock that front brake up at highway speeds.
I know I sure can't do it, I don't even like to ride in front of him for fear of him hitting me if I must pound the brakes hard.
As time went on, the brakes got better- more powerful and that's a good thing. But... It's now possible to lock that front wheel up relatively easily ( I have purposely envoked the ABS at highway speeds on my 2016 RK).
Practicing threshold braking is not without risk and it's certainly not something I'm willing to do with my Wife on the back of the bike. I think a lot fewer people actually practice hard braking than they claim, it's an intimidating thing to do on a 800 lb bike that costs a small fortune, it's also not so safe to do on public roads with any other traffic around.
ABS allows me to safely explore the threshold of braking without risk of dumping the bike ( and I did learn what the limit is under varying conditions of hot, cold, dry, wet, dirty, gravel, sand etc... and some of it surprised me).
That all being said, the current ABS / linked brakes from Harley are a bit weird and take a lot of getting used to. I would MUCH rather they not be linked.
It is amazing that MotoGP racing bikes have a tons of electronics,,,traction control...launch(anti-wheelie) control...engine braking control...fuel control...etc..etc
Excellent Video, Thank you!
I have explored the limits on many different road types and conditions with ABS, but I have not had the "Stones" to pound the brakes on a curved, wet road at highway speeds.
I know it should work just fine and be safe, but, man, that's a lot of trust!!!
Excellent Video, Thank you!
I have explored the limits on many different road types and conditions with ABS, but I have not had the "Stones" to pound the brakes on a curved, wet road at highway speeds.
I know it should work just fine and be safe, but, man, that's a lot of trust!!!
It is amazing that MotoGP racing bikes have a tons of electronics,,,traction control...launch(anti-wheelie) control...engine braking control...fuel control...etc..etc
Guess what they don't have?
No ABS in Nascar races either...just brake pressure controllers.
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