Removing ABS
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
I get it to a certain degree. I'm not trying to argue with you, certainly your bike. We have also had cars without air bags, abs, seatbelts, etc, all expensive stuff, but at the same time, deaths per mile driven have been reduced dramatically since we've had these innovations.
I speculate the percentage of people who think they can threshold brake in bad conditions under emergency circumstances without ABS is about 35-40%.
In reality, its probably .01 percent.
You're a biker, and I worry about bikers, what can I say?
Ride safe, brother!
I speculate the percentage of people who think they can threshold brake in bad conditions under emergency circumstances without ABS is about 35-40%.
In reality, its probably .01 percent.
You're a biker, and I worry about bikers, what can I say?
Ride safe, brother!Funny how everyone jumps a guys chit for wanting to remove his ABS, and on the other side of the coin everyone is jumping another guys chit for wanting to add it. Can't we all get along. Give them the resources to make a decision for themselves, and what they do with that knowledge is their business.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Thought you weren't gonna start a holy war here? The OP didn't say he could brake better without it, he doesn't want the expense of the parts required to work around the ABS. He also stated his light is on all the time anyway, so it probably needs serviced and is inoperable. His bike, his choice. Maybe he's a less is more kinda guy.
Funny how everyone jumps a guys chit for wanting to remove his ABS, and on the other side of the coin everyone is jumping another guys chit for wanting to add it. Can't we all get along. Give them the resources to make a decision for themselves, and what they do with that knowledge is their business.
Funny how everyone jumps a guys chit for wanting to remove his ABS, and on the other side of the coin everyone is jumping another guys chit for wanting to add it. Can't we all get along. Give them the resources to make a decision for themselves, and what they do with that knowledge is their business.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
I was coming off the interstate on to a long straight off ramp about 70mph.
There is a red light and a sweeping left that went back under the interstate.
I could see in both directions, it was clear and nobody in front of me. Or so I thought.
As I'm slowing in high gear the light turned yellow, but it was clear and safe to go on through the light and nobody would know the difference. Or so I thought.
The light will clearly be red before I make it through as I'm only 30' from the intersection there's a state trooper setting in the grass on the other side in clear view of the light and I'm still 40mph.
There is no doubts the ABS works, I stopped right on the line and the trooper pulled out with a little wave and a smile. The abs stops, the technology came from racing, safer is the byproduct.
There is a red light and a sweeping left that went back under the interstate.
I could see in both directions, it was clear and nobody in front of me. Or so I thought.
As I'm slowing in high gear the light turned yellow, but it was clear and safe to go on through the light and nobody would know the difference. Or so I thought.
The light will clearly be red before I make it through as I'm only 30' from the intersection there's a state trooper setting in the grass on the other side in clear view of the light and I'm still 40mph.
There is no doubts the ABS works, I stopped right on the line and the trooper pulled out with a little wave and a smile. The abs stops, the technology came from racing, safer is the byproduct.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
You'll probably spend more money retrofitting unless you sell your take offs.
ABS parts (brake lines etc) are no more expensive and some cases less because you only have to replace the top line to do a bar change.
The wheels etc are all the same as non-ABS. Brake bleeding is the same as Non-ABS as long as you don't turn on the system while bleeding.
Reconsider, but if you don't, sell the stuff to the one guy above mentioned a few times.
ABS parts (brake lines etc) are no more expensive and some cases less because you only have to replace the top line to do a bar change.
The wheels etc are all the same as non-ABS. Brake bleeding is the same as Non-ABS as long as you don't turn on the system while bleeding.
Reconsider, but if you don't, sell the stuff to the one guy above mentioned a few times.
Last edited by lp; Jun 9, 2015 at 05:14 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
Probably not much more than finding out that somebody added ape hangers, a 23" front wheel, or a big bore kit.
I get it to a certain degree. I'm not trying to argue with you, certainly your bike. We have also had cars without air bags, abs, seatbelts, etc, all expensive stuff, but at the same time, deaths per mile driven have been reduced dramatically since we've had these innovations.
I speculate the percentage of people who think they can threshold brake in bad conditions under emergency circumstances without ABS is about 35-40%.
In reality, its probably .01 percent.
You're a biker, and I worry about bikers, what can I say? Ride safe, brother!
I speculate the percentage of people who think they can threshold brake in bad conditions under emergency circumstances without ABS is about 35-40%.
In reality, its probably .01 percent.
You're a biker, and I worry about bikers, what can I say?
Ride safe, brother!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 480
Likes: 1
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Unlikely, but do the single disc conversions still have ABS?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
OP, how about spending an evening or two researching ABS before you remove it? At least be up on its benefits and be sure the concerns you stated outweigh what you uncover about its safety enhancements. You might well end up deciding to take it off. But if you go into it with an open mind…you mind change your mind.
Alan
Alan