ABS on harleys
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
ABS is not for everybody.I learned a long time to have a feel for the road through the machine I am in or on.It is an incredible feeling,gives a ton of confidence,making aggressive motoring that much more exhillerating.I only wish we had a choice when it came to cars or trucks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
I have an 08 Ultra with ABS. In the 20K miles I have ridden on it, the ABS has kicked in 3 times. All in Panic situations that I know for a fact, I would have crashed without the ABS. I was able to control the bike and avoid crashing by steering around 2 of those situations, and I was able to stop straight up on the third with less then 3 inches to spare before I hit the dumbass that slammed thier brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
Last edited by Trailfndr; Jul 5, 2009 at 07:19 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I have an 08 Ultra with ABS. In the 20K miles I have ridden on it, the ABS has kicked in 3 times. All in Panic situations that I know for a fact, I would have crashed without the ABS. I was able to control the bike and avoid crashing by steering around 2 of those situations, and I was able to stop straight up on the third with less then 3 inches to spare before I hit the dumbass that slammed thier brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Newport TN
Point being that if yor testing ABS your focused on stopping. out on the road you may not be givein the time to set up a stop. in REAL life ABS will benifit you 80% of the time. no it's not perfect, but it is way above most of us and still above most who think they can beat it..
on the road in 50,000 miles of ridein ABS will out perform almost everyone.
on the road in 50,000 miles of ridein ABS will out perform almost everyone.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Denton,Texas
These ABS threads are useless , there has been like 100 of them and still are all BS.
Its like anything else you're gonna like it or not, you like ford i like chevy...blah blah blah
everyone just STFU and ride!!!!
Its like anything else you're gonna like it or not, you like ford i like chevy...blah blah blah
everyone just STFU and ride!!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
I would direct you to number 8. That has been a long old standing myth.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ths/index.html
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ths/index.html
I have an 08 Ultra with ABS. In the 20K miles I have ridden on it, the ABS has kicked in 3 times. All in Panic situations that I know for a fact, I would have crashed without the ABS. I was able to control the bike and avoid crashing by steering around 2 of those situations, and I was able to stop straight up on the third with less then 3 inches to spare before I hit the dumbass that slammed thier brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
I'll never own another bike without it.
Normal riding conditions, Wet or dry, the ABS doesn't kick in. I have NEVER had it kick in on bumps, so if yours is doing that, take it to the dealer for proper calibration.
ABS is designed for any vehicle, to do one thing. Allow you to maintain control in a panic stop situation. It does that extremely well in every vehicle I have ever driven.
Those that claim they can stop faster without ABS, have not done so in a Panic situation. If I am controlling the situation, (braking on a line) I am not panicing. This is not an emergency stop, and you MIGHT be able to stop faster without the ABS, but try doing the same when some moron in a car pulls out 30 ft in front of you, while you are doing 45 or better mph. I can damned near gaurentee that you are gonna hit that Moron, or dump your bike trying to avoid him.
I have heard from so many that they "Layed her down" ..BULLCHIT. you never Layed her down, You CRASHED! A motorcycle is designed to be ridden UPRIGHT with both wheels making contact with the road surface. When you are not in that upright position, you CRASHED! Period.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I've been riding since I was 5, I'm now 50. I've got boxes of trophies from my racing days in my 20's. I think I'm qualified to state my opinion about abs on the harley. I have an 08 road glide with abs. The brakes work great.
If anyone is considering whether or not to get ABS, get them. End of statement.
If anyone is considering whether or not to get ABS, get them. End of statement.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 5
So tell me about laying it down? Do you think I can't get my bike sideways because of ABS if I need too? Can you steer your bike with the brakes locked up? I can steer mine and still have a hand full of brakes. In what situation would you lay it down? And how many times have you heard of someone doing that to avoid and accident? Sorry not be smart *** but I just don't think that's a big plus for non ABS bikes.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I've been riding since I was 5, I'm now 50. I've got boxes of trophies from my racing days in my 20's. I think I'm qualified to state my opinion about abs on the harley. I have an 08 road glide with abs. The brakes work great.
If anyone is considering whether or not to get ABS, get them. End of statement.
If anyone is considering whether or not to get ABS, get them. End of statement.
The following link is old, but still valuable. As you read it, bear in mind that ABS systems are even better now. Also bear in mind that in the few instances where non-ABS bikes stopped faster, it was in the dry by an expert in a CONTROLLED situation.
http://www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/abstests.html
For anyone that doesn't want to read it, here is a chart from it:
Figure 3. Dry Pavement Braking over Sewer Cover
Racer
non-ABS 158 ft
w/ ABS 163 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
non-ABS 158 ft
w/ ABS 163 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
Mileman
non-ABS 181 ft
w/ ABS 172 ft
Full ABS Control 167 ft
non-ABS 181 ft
w/ ABS 172 ft
Full ABS Control 167 ft
Road Rider
non-ABS 160 ft
w/ ABS 165 ft
Full ABS Control 162 ft
non-ABS 160 ft
w/ ABS 165 ft
Full ABS Control 162 ft
Tourer
non-ABS 186 ft
w/ ABS 167 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
non-ABS 186 ft
w/ ABS 167 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
Mechanic
non-ABS 199 ft
w/ ABS 171 ft
Full ABS Control 169 ft
non-ABS 199 ft
w/ ABS 171 ft
Full ABS Control 169 ft
Newguy
non-ABS 180ft
w/ ABS 168 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
non-ABS 180ft
w/ ABS 168 ft
Full ABS Control 166 ft
I won't reprint the wet chart because the non-ABS bikes aren't even close under any conditions.
Last edited by buffgunner; Jul 5, 2009 at 05:22 PM.