Possible to add ABS?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 178
From: NY
I have ABS in my vehicles and think non ABS does a better job braking in mixed road conditions. I also drove over road and never had a problem. I know tests prove ABS stops quicker. Last thing I want is a two wheeled thing they won't brake hard when I need it.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 11,688
Likes: 22,279
From: Clearwater, Idaho
Don't get me wrong. I think ABS can be a good thing. But it has it's limitations.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've been driving and riding ABS vehicles for at least 20 years now. The early cars had a flawed system which could kick in at the most unexpected times and was a darned nuisance, although in extremis worked when essential. I rode 50k miles on my only bike with it and never did manage to make it work, despite earnest efforts when I first got it. So I have mixed feelings. I can see it should be an aid we all welcome, but the only person I know who was involved in a serious accident, driving an ABS car, got hit from behind by one that didn't have it and was shunted into the collision he was stopping for!
Here in Europe ABS is essential for most new build bikes, so it is slowly becoming inevitable. On a bike there is plenty of scope to lose control and ABS won't save us from some of those.
Here in Europe ABS is essential for most new build bikes, so it is slowly becoming inevitable. On a bike there is plenty of scope to lose control and ABS won't save us from some of those.
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: hhhhh
Good example.. . ABS does no good when standing still or getting hit from behind.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 4,038
From: San Diego, CA
If you've ever tried braking over a speed bump with ABS, you'll feel helpless for a second or two, at least that's what I've noticed on my truck. I could see having a bump right before someone's stopped car. You hit the bump, the ABS releases (the braked wheels stops spinning while in the air, so ABS signals to let it free), you come down without brakes applied momentarily, and WHAM, hit the car in front of you.
Not sure I'd really want that on my motorcycle. JMHO
John
Not sure I'd really want that on my motorcycle. JMHO
John
Last edited by John Harper; Nov 2, 2016 at 03:37 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
Have a 2014 sporty with abs though would wonder just how good a job Harley did with how they have it function and thinking using the front brake does not link to back brake engaging.
All that aside, if a car is in front of me and I did not see it coming then grabbing as much brake as I can when on a abs bike is what I do and it saved my bacon before....happen to have be on a 2005 bmw r1200rt at the time though hope the HD would likewise have done as well.
All that aside, if a car is in front of me and I did not see it coming then grabbing as much brake as I can when on a abs bike is what I do and it saved my bacon before....happen to have be on a 2005 bmw r1200rt at the time though hope the HD would likewise have done as well.
Last edited by motorups; Nov 2, 2016 at 06:35 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
Though no, would not pay to have it added. better to get one with it or wait until hell freezes over and HD updates the engine on the sporty else 2020...thinking that is what I read for EU4, 5 or some such reg requires that HD make changes if the sporty cannot meet them.
Stage I
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 3
From: California
Latest report re ABS brakes. 2018
The rate of fatal crashes is 31 percent lower for motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes than for the same models without them. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reports that collision insurance claims for motorcycles with ABS are filed 20 percent less frequently than for motorcycles without ABS, and 31 percent when the ABS bikes have combined controls (IIHS, 2018).
