ABS VS non ABS
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 68
From: Australia
Earlier this year, a group of us attended an advanced rider training course (essentially a refresher course and an opportunity to practice many different exercises including emergency braking. All of us had ABS but during the first few ‘emergency’ stops, we didn’t apply the brakes firmly enough to stop as quickly as possible. We were only practicing from 45mph-to-0mph. It took us 4 or 5 hard stops to feel more confident before our stops became consistent and short.
If we were riding non-ABS bikes doing the same exercise, I think it would have taken us much longer to achieve the same stopping distance as ABS. Sure, some of you guys a club racers and go on track days and really know how hard you can brake without locking up. Most of us are not like that.
In the real world, riding in the rain and car pulling out in front of us unexpectedly (as it happened to some of you), I know I will have the best possible chance with ABS. On a non-ABS bikes, I would be too worried about locking up the front wheel and that fear will stop me from applying more brake lever pressure... and we all know, if we lock up the front wheel, it is game over!
My take on this subject is simply this. IF any rider is able to judge the road condition (dry or wet, oil or no oil) and apply the maximum braking force without locking up 100% of the time, those amazingly skilled riders don’t need ABS. For the majority of average riders, even with 40 years riding experience (since we don’t perform emergency braking in wet every week), we are more likely to benefit from ABS, statistically. There is a reason why in Europe and Australia, manufacturers cannot sell non-ABS motorcycles for the past decade. Consumer choices are great, but that means US riders need to really assess their own skill levels and decide for themselves what is the best option.
If we were riding non-ABS bikes doing the same exercise, I think it would have taken us much longer to achieve the same stopping distance as ABS. Sure, some of you guys a club racers and go on track days and really know how hard you can brake without locking up. Most of us are not like that.
In the real world, riding in the rain and car pulling out in front of us unexpectedly (as it happened to some of you), I know I will have the best possible chance with ABS. On a non-ABS bikes, I would be too worried about locking up the front wheel and that fear will stop me from applying more brake lever pressure... and we all know, if we lock up the front wheel, it is game over!
My take on this subject is simply this. IF any rider is able to judge the road condition (dry or wet, oil or no oil) and apply the maximum braking force without locking up 100% of the time, those amazingly skilled riders don’t need ABS. For the majority of average riders, even with 40 years riding experience (since we don’t perform emergency braking in wet every week), we are more likely to benefit from ABS, statistically. There is a reason why in Europe and Australia, manufacturers cannot sell non-ABS motorcycles for the past decade. Consumer choices are great, but that means US riders need to really assess their own skill levels and decide for themselves what is the best option.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 690
Likes: 121
From: On my motorcycle
Earlier this year, a group of us attended an advanced rider training course (essentially a refresher course and an opportunity to practice many different exercises including emergency braking. All of us had ABS but during the first few ‘emergency’ stops, we didn’t apply the brakes firmly enough to stop as quickly as possible. We were only practicing from 45mph-to-0mph. It took us 4 or 5 hard stops to feel more confident before our stops became consistent and short.
If we were riding non-ABS bikes doing the same exercise, I think it would have taken us much longer to achieve the same stopping distance as ABS. Sure, some of you guys a club racers and go on track days and really know how hard you can brake without locking up. Most of us are not like that.
In the real world, riding in the rain and car pulling out in front of us unexpectedly (as it happened to some of you), I know I will have the best possible chance with ABS. On a non-ABS bikes, I would be too worried about locking up the front wheel and that fear will stop me from applying more brake lever pressure... and we all know, if we lock up the front wheel, it is game over!
My take on this subject is simply this. IF any rider is able to judge the road condition (dry or wet, oil or no oil) and apply the maximum braking force without locking up 100% of the time, those amazingly skilled riders don’t need ABS. For the majority of average riders, even with 40 years riding experience (since we don’t perform emergency braking in wet every week), we are more likely to benefit from ABS, statistically. There is a reason why in Europe and Australia, manufacturers cannot sell non-ABS motorcycles for the past decade. Consumer choices are great, but that means US riders need to really assess their own skill levels and decide for themselves what is the best option.
If we were riding non-ABS bikes doing the same exercise, I think it would have taken us much longer to achieve the same stopping distance as ABS. Sure, some of you guys a club racers and go on track days and really know how hard you can brake without locking up. Most of us are not like that.
In the real world, riding in the rain and car pulling out in front of us unexpectedly (as it happened to some of you), I know I will have the best possible chance with ABS. On a non-ABS bikes, I would be too worried about locking up the front wheel and that fear will stop me from applying more brake lever pressure... and we all know, if we lock up the front wheel, it is game over!
My take on this subject is simply this. IF any rider is able to judge the road condition (dry or wet, oil or no oil) and apply the maximum braking force without locking up 100% of the time, those amazingly skilled riders don’t need ABS. For the majority of average riders, even with 40 years riding experience (since we don’t perform emergency braking in wet every week), we are more likely to benefit from ABS, statistically. There is a reason why in Europe and Australia, manufacturers cannot sell non-ABS motorcycles for the past decade. Consumer choices are great, but that means US riders need to really assess their own skill levels and decide for themselves what is the best option.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 220
Likes: 104
From: Kansas City
There have been several professional safety reports from several different organizations that have clearly stated that in a motorcycle wreck where there was a rider(or riders) with critical or fatal injuries in 30 - 50% of those wrecks if the motorcycle had ABS they would not have had those critical injuries or died.
When I was in the hospital another patient had told me that her uncle was killed in a wreck a year earlier when he locked up his brakes and the motorcycle slid into oncoming traffic where he was hit by a semi.
In most of the motorcycle wrecks I have seen the rider locked up the brakes. It is just human nature when someone in front of you slows down (and you weren't paying attention and/or were tailgating them) to slam on the brakes. It doesn't matter if it is a car, truck or motorcycle.
I would prefer to have the ABS brakes slow me down enough to make some sort of move towards the curb or side of the road and not end up sliding into the vehicle in front of me or into oncoming traffic.
ABS brakes were one of the reasons I purchased my two Low Rider S motorcycles.
When I was in the hospital another patient had told me that her uncle was killed in a wreck a year earlier when he locked up his brakes and the motorcycle slid into oncoming traffic where he was hit by a semi.
In most of the motorcycle wrecks I have seen the rider locked up the brakes. It is just human nature when someone in front of you slows down (and you weren't paying attention and/or were tailgating them) to slam on the brakes. It doesn't matter if it is a car, truck or motorcycle.
I would prefer to have the ABS brakes slow me down enough to make some sort of move towards the curb or side of the road and not end up sliding into the vehicle in front of me or into oncoming traffic.
ABS brakes were one of the reasons I purchased my two Low Rider S motorcycles.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
There have been several professional safety reports from several different organizations that have clearly stated that in a motorcycle wreck where there was a rider(or riders) with critical or fatal injuries in 30 - 50% of those wrecks if the motorcycle had ABS they would not have had those critical injuries or died.
ABS brakes were one of the reasons I purchased my two Low Rider S motorcycles.
ABS brakes were one of the reasons I purchased my two Low Rider S motorcycles.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 749
Likes: 287
From: Detroit area
no, because eletronic stability control became mandatory on all new cars and trucks starting in 2012, and ESC requires ABS.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 20,424
Likes: 24,217
From: WetCoast
I use to turn the ABS off on my BMW 1150GS when going down steep loose gravel. It helped with control and reduced braking distance. Logging truck drivers will also turn it off in the same situation.
I cant think of a situation where I would deactivate it on my eGlide. Actually I don’t use the wheel brakes to slow down very much..... I use engine braking. I see the brake peddle/lever as a “stop peddle”, not a “brake peddle”. I also skip shift... of course, that’s the truck driver in me coming out.
I cant think of a situation where I would deactivate it on my eGlide. Actually I don’t use the wheel brakes to slow down very much..... I use engine braking. I see the brake peddle/lever as a “stop peddle”, not a “brake peddle”. I also skip shift... of course, that’s the truck driver in me coming out.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 690
Likes: 121
From: On my motorcycle
Drivers refusing to wear their seatbelts, is what got us airbags.
And motorcyclists refusing to learn how to ride, is going to get us mandatory ABS.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
oh The Lies We Tell ourselves. I'm not going to get drawn into a big discussion but here's one scenario where it wouldn't be good. Rider who's driven with abs his entire life is on the way home when all of a sudden the ABS light comes on. He starts thinking to himself I'll head over to the dealership so they can fix it. Lo and behold on the way he gets into a situation where he has to break suddenly to avoid a collision. Of course he has no idea how to break except for to lay on the anchors! And Bam he's dead and your statement is now invalid. I'm actually on the fence about ABS there's good and bads for it. But just like fuel injection and other things it's not necessarily better. Like anything in life there are pros and cons.
dumb scenario. you assume that just because someone has abs that they just 'jam' on the binders every time they stop. fact is, the only time that you even notice that you have abs, is if you make a mistake. and if you're anywhere halfway intelligent, if your abs kicks in, you'll recognize that you made a mistake and try and adjust accordingly. i won't say that nobody goes through life just jamming on the brakes and kicking in their abs every stop, but i'm sure it's actually quite a small number.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 21
From: lv
dumb scenario. you assume that just because someone has abs that they just 'jam' on the binders every time they stop. fact is, the only time that you even notice that you have abs, is if you make a mistake. and if you're anywhere halfway intelligent, if your abs kicks in, you'll recognize that you made a mistake and try and adjust accordingly. i won't say that nobody goes through life just jamming on the brakes and kicking in their abs every stop, but i'm sure it's actually quite a small number.