A.B.S. for a Harley ??
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
It is never my intention to knock down someone's opinion of anything, but this whole thread is rife with misinformation and misunderstanding. If you have never completely evaluated a system such as ABS, how can you knock it.[sm=smiley29.gif]
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Hutto, Tx
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
I've never experianced ABS on a bike, so I suppose I'm talking out my trapdoor a bit, but... I know I absolutely loath it in my truck. I grew up without it, and learned to drive/ride without it. The argument is that there is no such thing as a "controled skid", yet I believe there is. I feel very strongly that there have been several times that the ABS has nearly CAUSED an accident that I could have more easily avoided had I had full control. I WILL concede that it has it's merits on wet or icy pavement, but for me, that percentage is very low.
...no, I don't think I like the idea of the machine being in control...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
Sure you can control a skid to some extent, but you have full control when you are not skidding.
You can't do too much evasive manuevering when your tire is locked. Not to mention that you virtually eliminate the risks of highsiding (a huge cause of fatal injuries).
Faster stops by being at the true limit of traction seems to be the best benefit. You won't need to move around obsticles as much if you can stop before you hit them.
I can't think of one time ABS has caused me any trouble, and I've had it in my vehicles since 1992. I can think of times an extremely lightened rear-end tried to come around in a panic stop and forced me to let off brake pressure which lengthened my stopping time.
I can think of the time I pulled off the freeway late at night tired in Lake Charles, only to find out it was an unpaved off-ramp and the ABS in my car saved my butt.
I can think of the time a couple weeks after getting my bike that a car pulled out in front of me, and right when I hit my brakes I was on a wet manhole cover (worried more about the car than the road) and locked the rear... lucky for me I remembered to leave it locked.
What happens at 70mph when you lock the rear in a panic stop, slow to 40, then have to move out of the way? If you unlock it, there is a good chance yer going over the bike. If you don't, you will hit the car in front of you. Of course, its easy to say "don't lock the rear tire", but in a panic stop things happen fast.
I dunno, I think I'm pretty sold on a little assistance if it can save my life, and not intrude on the ride or character of the bike.
It's pretty interesting to see all the different opinions on this here.
You can't do too much evasive manuevering when your tire is locked. Not to mention that you virtually eliminate the risks of highsiding (a huge cause of fatal injuries).
Faster stops by being at the true limit of traction seems to be the best benefit. You won't need to move around obsticles as much if you can stop before you hit them.
I can't think of one time ABS has caused me any trouble, and I've had it in my vehicles since 1992. I can think of times an extremely lightened rear-end tried to come around in a panic stop and forced me to let off brake pressure which lengthened my stopping time.
I can think of the time I pulled off the freeway late at night tired in Lake Charles, only to find out it was an unpaved off-ramp and the ABS in my car saved my butt.
I can think of the time a couple weeks after getting my bike that a car pulled out in front of me, and right when I hit my brakes I was on a wet manhole cover (worried more about the car than the road) and locked the rear... lucky for me I remembered to leave it locked.
What happens at 70mph when you lock the rear in a panic stop, slow to 40, then have to move out of the way? If you unlock it, there is a good chance yer going over the bike. If you don't, you will hit the car in front of you. Of course, its easy to say "don't lock the rear tire", but in a panic stop things happen fast.
I dunno, I think I'm pretty sold on a little assistance if it can save my life, and not intrude on the ride or character of the bike.
It's pretty interesting to see all the different opinions on this here.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From:
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
good point.
im still uneazy about having a locked wheel.
to me ? a locked wheel means no control.
now i'll admitt a few guy's can control their bikes in a skid,
but i dont think i could,
just my two cent;s worth.
weet
im still uneazy about having a locked wheel.
to me ? a locked wheel means no control.
now i'll admitt a few guy's can control their bikes in a skid,
but i dont think i could,
just my two cent;s worth.
weet
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Hutto, Tx
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
well, I agreed that they might have some usefullness. I live in rural Texas. A good deal of the roads I travel daily have had so many potholes patched that they have near the texture of cobblestones. Now I've never seen a slow-motion replay of what the tires are doing, but what it FEELS like is one tire might lock momemtarily when it's skipping a bit, then the ABS kicks in as the tire contacts good pavement again... every dip that causes diminished traction causes the ABS to release the brake at just the time when the tire is back on a ridge and COULD have provided braking force.
Personally, I'd rather stop than have complete control of my vehicle all the way to impact ;-)
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
From:
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
I'm with Weet.
A 700 lb bike with a 200 lb rider, sliding around with no traction on whateverthehell kind of road you are on just don't sound like something I would have much control over. [:-]
A 700 lb bike with a 200 lb rider, sliding around with no traction on whateverthehell kind of road you are on just don't sound like something I would have much control over. [:-]
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From:
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
hands down abs is better than not having it, NO question. like someone said earlier do you thing CHP would wnat it because it doesnt work? i was in the auto business for over 20 years and abs does what its suppose to one day it will be on bikes and probally be standard equip one day. just my .02 cents
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford, Texas
RE: A.B.S. for a Harley ??
Next thing you know we'll have to have airbags... DUCKING NOW[sm=deadhorse.gif]
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post