ABS Saved My A$$

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Apr 7, 2010 | 07:32 AM

#11

dog155

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 13,389

Likes: 26

From: Windham,Maine

Your right ABS is not for everyone.Aggressive riders cannot deal with the distraction.All my bikes have upgraded brakes and both ends are used to the fullest advantage.Being aggressive while riding makes a person look farther down the road,and try to plan for the unexpected.

Apr 7, 2010 | 07:52 AM

#12

BikerV

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 1,597

Likes: 0

From: South Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by monstead

If your rear wheel locks, do NOT ease on and off...easing off the rear brake restores wheel rotation and will throw you into a high side. If your front wheel locks up, let go of the front brake and then ease back on it.

Monstead, You are right. IF the bike is sliding sideways while your moving forward it WILL high-side if you let off the brake and the wheel gains traction again. My RK likes to lock the rear wheel in those situations where I'm driving along on roads with traffic lights and higher than normal speed limits. When your too far away from an intersection coming up on a light than just turned yellow to just blow through the light at like 60mph. My bike is usually coming to a stop in a straight line when the rear wheel starts to lock up. I usually back off it and ease back on.

My Softail doesn't have such a touchy rear brake and also I had a RoadGlide for a year just prior to owning the RK. No problem on that bike either. If fact my previous 5 Harleys didn't have such a touchy rear brake. Standard brake pedal on the RK, it's not a leverage issue. I first thought it may have been a hard compound tire (replaced it), tried new pads, rotor, and if a master cylinder shows up at a swap-meet I'll try that.

But enough of me Hi-Jacking the thread, If I buy a new bike someday and ABS is an option I'll be getting it. A nice Sunglo Red StreetGlide would sure look good in my driveway.

Apr 7, 2010 | 07:59 AM

#13

hullhorr

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 5,478

Likes: 184

From: Mount Airy, MD

ABS saved my a$$ once and made me a believer. I still have times when I don't like it though. If I brake real hard on dry pavement and it kicks in I get that feeling it's not stopping me as fast as it would without it. Get the same feeling in my truck too.

Apr 7, 2010 | 08:18 AM

#14

'05Train

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,439

Likes: 884

From: 'Noke, VA

I'm an all-weather rider, and I don't exactly pussyfoot the bike around. I would not have bought a touring bike without ABS, and wish I could retrofit it onto the Night Train. I don't care how good of a rider you think you are, all kinds of crap can rear up in a blind corner. ABS doesn't panic, doesn't let its concentration wander, and is never caught off-guard.

In ideal, perfect circumstances, a skilled rider can bring a bike to a stop in a straight line in a shorter distance with non-ABS brakes. On a winding, wet road, in traffic, with my daughter on the back of the bike, I'm damn glad to have ABS backing me up.

Apr 7, 2010 | 08:48 AM

#15

69z28

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,750

Likes: 0

From: east cen.miss

Best thing Harley has offered since handlebars.

Apr 7, 2010 | 08:52 AM

#16

sp9997

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 321

Likes: 1

From: Carol Stream, IL

why is ABS not offered on the other lines like softail and dyna ?? is it about money cuz looking at softails some cost just about the same as a few touring models I dont see why customer would not pay 1000 dollar premium for ABS on a softail if that option was available... are there any after market ABS install available ??

Apr 7, 2010 | 09:01 AM

#17

ultrat

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 809

Likes: 0

From: south bend in,

On softail no room to put ABS unit i think & on other options there is a devise goes between master cyc & brake line sorry i do not know the name I had it saved on my other lap top & its broke..

Apr 7, 2010 | 10:55 AM

#18

capitalist_slave

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,345

Likes: 0

From: south Texas

I'd love to have it on my Sportie, i've locked the breaks up a few times already in panic situations.

Anyone know if there is a retro-fit kit available for ABS...? I'd buy it.