ABS difference?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Not so! The MoCo will triple the price of the former option and incorporate it into the new "standard" price structure. Now everyone pays for this feature, three times over. the math works out real well.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
I disagree. The "standard" price structure wouldn't take the hit. You'd have a softail costing as much as a tourer. Same thing happened with power brakes, steering, windows, abs, airbags on cages.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
It is interesting to notice the list of the things I want on my bike for 'safety' reasons and how much they'd cost. for me, the list is in this order
1 - Tubeless tires (that is an easy 2 grands for new wheels and tires)
2 - LED/HID lights (on the way)
3- ABS brakes (not sure it is available for older models and probably will cost an arm and a leg (no pun intended).).
4 - Loud Horn (already installed).
I must say that the Softails are way harder to kick you off the bike when they lock, on my old Ninja and R1, if I locked the rear wheel, the bike will violently shake down, I rarely used it, on my bike, I did a few times lock one or both wheels emergency braking, the bike slides, fishtails but if you relax, you should still be up on it, would ABS have helped, of course, but not sure as much as it would have done on a lighter bike.
Finally, ABS would be most beneficial for Softies in Rain and gravel with emergency braking, that , nobody can disagree with. but in dry conditions which is 90% of my riding, it is really a tough sale given the price.
1 - Tubeless tires (that is an easy 2 grands for new wheels and tires)
2 - LED/HID lights (on the way)
3- ABS brakes (not sure it is available for older models and probably will cost an arm and a leg (no pun intended).).
4 - Loud Horn (already installed).
I must say that the Softails are way harder to kick you off the bike when they lock, on my old Ninja and R1, if I locked the rear wheel, the bike will violently shake down, I rarely used it, on my bike, I did a few times lock one or both wheels emergency braking, the bike slides, fishtails but if you relax, you should still be up on it, would ABS have helped, of course, but not sure as much as it would have done on a lighter bike.
Finally, ABS would be most beneficial for Softies in Rain and gravel with emergency braking, that , nobody can disagree with. but in dry conditions which is 90% of my riding, it is really a tough sale given the price.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
I've heard a few guys don't like the ABS cause in the event where you need to stop quickly and slam the brakes, the ABS kicks in and actually increases stopping distance by pulsating the brakes.
Just take your bike to a parking lot and try it out. It takes a lot of force to lock em up as is.
Just take your bike to a parking lot and try it out. It takes a lot of force to lock em up as is.
That is an absolute myth. ABS was developed by the military to stop jets on aircraft carrier decks in the shortest possible distance. They allow for the best possible control in an emergency stop
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
i think what the military designed , and how it applies to a softtail harley can be different. id bet my *** ( and i suppose i do everytime i ride the garley w/out abs ) that in the dry the abs would not out brake a competant rider . the softtail with the single front disk just doesnt have the ability to lock up unless you really really try. if abs on the new Harleys had the option of turning off/on , id have it off on dry roads. just thats just my humble opinion .
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
i think what the military designed , and how it applies to a softtail harley can be different. id bet my *** ( and i suppose i do everytime i ride the garley w/out abs ) that in the dry the abs would not out brake a competant rider . the softtail with the single front disk just doesnt have the ability to lock up unless you really really try. if abs on the new Harleys had the option of turning off/on , id have it off on dry roads. just thats just my humble opinion .
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 4,332
From: South of North
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
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