ABS OR NOT?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
RE: ABS OR NOT?
ORIGINAL: whaap
I've had ABS on a BMW R 1150 RT. The problem for me is that it involves having an "integrated" braking system where the front and rear both come on no matter which brake pedal/lever you're using. That I do not like.When I amin a parking lot situation (for example) doing a tight turn I do not like to use any front brake. With an integrated system you have no choice. In four years of riding I never got comfortable with it and never liked it.
I've had ABS on a BMW R 1150 RT. The problem for me is that it involves having an "integrated" braking system where the front and rear both come on no matter which brake pedal/lever you're using. That I do not like.When I amin a parking lot situation (for example) doing a tight turn I do not like to use any front brake. With an integrated system you have no choice. In four years of riding I never got comfortable with it and never liked it.
dave
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From:
RE: ABS OR NOT?
I've owned 4 bikes with ABS and 99.9% of the time you can't even tell they are there but that other .1% they can save your butt!! As far as the linked brakes go I was really worried the first time I rode a bike with them. I had read all sorts of horror stories about slow speeds, stopping and turning the wheel..as it turns out I couldn't even tell they were working so it was a non issure for me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
RE: ABS OR NOT?
When I went thru all of the videos on the H-D site andit looked like the front and rear wheel ABS are independent of each other. I may be wrong, but that is how it looked.
I'd love to retrofit ABS onto my 'Glide, I think the rear brake is the worst POS I ever had on all of the 14 bikes I've owned so far.
The new system looks to be significantly smaller in terms of the controllers used, compared to the past versions where the system took up the majority of the the saddlebag.
If I was in the market for any 'Glide now, I would not even bother with a 99 to 07, I'd go right for an 08 E'Glide Std. with the ABS and Cruise Option and add my own aftermarket Radio and Speakers.
I'd love to retrofit ABS onto my 'Glide, I think the rear brake is the worst POS I ever had on all of the 14 bikes I've owned so far.
The new system looks to be significantly smaller in terms of the controllers used, compared to the past versions where the system took up the majority of the the saddlebag.
If I was in the market for any 'Glide now, I would not even bother with a 99 to 07, I'd go right for an 08 E'Glide Std. with the ABS and Cruise Option and add my own aftermarket Radio and Speakers.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: North East Illinois
RE: ABS OR NOT?
I would want to rent a bike with it first for a weekend to make sure I would like it.
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
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
RE: ABS OR NOT?
Real quick, here's my .02 worth. Seems like the majority of people here would like to have ABS, according to your poll figures. Whether someone is biased towards them or not, one thing that cannot be disputed is that they work. Not just work, but work much better than Non-ABS equipped bikes, especially in those situations where you're dealing with sand, water, etc.. Let's suppose you're riding into a right hand corner where there happens to be standing water in the road. Since you cannot avoid it, you decide to ride through it, suddenly the car in front of you locks up his brakes to avoid hitting something in the road ahead. Now what? In a panic stop situation things could go wrong very easily. I guess the point is, while ABS may not be for everyone's taste or preference, they were designed to deal with situations like that above. I've seen some of the BMW& HD video footage where they attached outriggers to these bikes and put them through their paces. They drove through corners,wet courses, etc. In each case full brake pressure was applied and each bike came safely to a complete stop without the outriggers even as much touching the ground.The rider had full control of his bike as full brake pressure was being applied. Think aboutthe advantage of this in corners or in the rain. My conclusion is,ABS does what it supposed to do. It is without a doubt better. It is also costlier.Your life is worth the added cost though, I guarantee it. My next bike will have ABS.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From:
RE: ABS OR NOT?
$795 bucks is not a lot for what ABS gives you, especially on a motorcycle. I have rode H-D's most of my life, but recently (before my 07 Ultra) had 5 years on a BMW K1200LT. Believe me when I say...ABS is a very good feature. Studies show it reduces injury (and damage)significantly in brake lock up accidents where the rear wheel sids out from under you after a panic stop. This alone is worth the price of ABS. Use it...better yet practice with it just once and you will be convinced.
If I had known that the 2008's would have ABS I prolly would have waited to buy my Ultra.
If I had known that the 2008's would have ABS I prolly would have waited to buy my Ultra.