yes it is included in the saftey package(abs a alarm).Im eying up the 2011 my self

 

Rossiters HD Sarasota, FL quoted me a hard $3500 to retro my 2010 FLSTFB with ABS. I got the strong impression the factory disuaded the dealer from performing the retro - they want ABS to sell new bikes and the probably don't have enough non-JIT inventory to supply aftermarket at this point. I was quickly presented with a trade for a 2011 FLSTFB as a "smarter" alternative ... but ... I've got my scoot where I like it ... +/-... and I really don't want to take a bath trading in a bike with only 7k miles on it.

I didn't take calipers to it ... but I got a good long look at a 2011 with ABS in HD store Brandon, FL and I just can't see why all the $s. My biggest issue would be having to ditch the OEM oil cooler, which is fairly ineffective. IMHO ... I would give it a year or two and let the aftermarket work its majic. Guaranteed if enough folks want a retrofit kit they will come up with it .. similar to cruise control ... retrofit kit will require purchase of major ABS parts from the MOCO and the kit will include parts to install it on your scoot.

Factory rep told me MOCO would not be preparing OEM ABS retrofit kit ... ever ...never. Similar to many new model year upgrades .. MOCO wants you to be motivated to buy new bike because of upgrades/newly available options ... that is where they make their money. MOCO doesn't care if there's big $$ out there for dealers to rake in making significant retrofits ... factory figures their stealerships make enough money on selling ++MSRP, aftermarket parts and maintenance/installation.

And ...as far as stopping distance .. etc ...is ABS worth it ... the issue is steering control in a panic stop. And, don't let any yahoo tell you its different on two wheels ... BS ... steering control and staying upright is key in avoiding hitting something coming up very fast at you .... First time experience I had with ABS was with my '96 E class Benz when it was brand new ... idiot dumb-as-a-box-o-rox woman with a load of little kids drifted into my lane on a tight two lane with no safety buffers ...she had turned her neck nearly 180 deg into the back seat to yell at the little buggers just a little better. I actually steered around that fool egg layer into and out of her lane with my foot buried in the brake pedal. I was amazed such a large car could dance around her stupid minivan like a ballerina ... part of the reason was superior suspension and new tires and a dry day ... but the major factor was that awesome fast pulsation keeping the wheels spinning just enough to maintain steering control. Later on I found it necessary to disconnect ABS on my AMG/Benz superfast track car, but on the street ... it can save your life ... it saved mine and that idiot woman and those defenseless kids went on to annoy other people ...

 

If it's something you feel is needed, and in your budget, why not go in & price one out w/ABS??? Then it's a matter of do you feel it's worth the difference w/your scoot & $$$ for new. Yes ABS would be a nice option to have, but I'm fine w/my non-ABS 2009 - just add some stopping distance...

 

As safety issues come to the surface, ABS being the latest safety thing for bikes... what's next? My question and concerns are... ABS is a life saver then why is it "optional"? Shouldn't it be standard equipment such as red tail lights? ABS is a good thing I'll agree, I have it on my truck and van.. It works, I think but I've not really had to slam on my brakes to find out.

Just what is the default setup should the ABS fail? Positive locking brakes, or no brakes at all? Suspect a little light comes on says the ABS is not working and your on you own buba..

 

It's too bad Harley doesn't value safety enough to offer ABS on all models across the board. It's worth the extra cost.

 

Right ... I'm looking at 6 piston caliper and matrixed rotor with a decent pad ... like Lynhall. I'll wait until I have to replace the front tire and the OEM pad has some wear on it.

And ... let's hope the stopping distance comes along with steering control. My one and only experience with staring certain death in a automobile had me slamming down on the brake pedal ... the pulsation must have woken something up in my brain and I steered around the idiot that drove in my lane.

Like I said earlier .. someone will come up with a retro kit ... bet on it.

 

... yes ... a warning light comes on and the brake system defaults to noABS. However, these are very simple reliable systems ... and likelyhood of failure is low.

... its simple .. its insurance ... some people have none and some people have too much ... most of us are somewhere in the middle. As far as being on your own .. heck ... that pretty much spells out what riding a bike is all about ... you have to be a little crazy (maybe a lot crazy) and you have to know beyond a certain doubt you are always on your own ... there is no one with you on in Central Florida ... on I-75 doing 75 mph.....surrounded by sight/hearing impared post60 year olds who can't turn their arthritic necks driving 2 ton behemoths ... hell yeah .. you are on your own bubba no doubt about it!!!

 

first off I am happy to hear that you and the bike are fine except for a little shook up.

On the side of ABS, as others have said, ABS is not going to help you stop sooner (shorter distance) actually ABS can add a little distance to the stop at times. Where ABS helps is that it stops the wheels from completely locking up by allowing them to turn a little throughout the braking so that you have a better control over the direction in which your bike is traveling.
And it can seriously feel weird when ABS is working during heavy breaking lol.

You can always take one out for a Demo ride, find a empty parking lot and try some control emergency stops with the bike and see how you feel about the brakes.

Although ABS is a good thing I share the view that by themselves I do not think that they are worth upgrading for. There are other brake upgrades you can do that bring more stopping power to your bike for cheaper.