ABS or not?
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Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 15
ABS or not?
I am down to making a decision within the next 10-14 days on a 2016 Road King. I've heard about problems with ABS, I've heard people say it's a really smart choice, I've also heard people say it's no great thing.
Please chime in on this because I'm on the fence.
... and I'm deciding between red or black, depends what's available.
Please chime in on this because I'm on the fence.
... and I'm deciding between red or black, depends what's available.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 13
From: georgetown ky
I have a non abs road king love it!!!
Owned bikes with and without for me can't really tell much difference.
And I'm not nervous about riding in the rain either, usually between 70 and 80 mph,
However I've been riding for 40 years
Everyone is at a different skill level.
They built Harley's for many many years without ABS.
I realize this probly don't help.
Owned bikes with and without for me can't really tell much difference.
And I'm not nervous about riding in the rain either, usually between 70 and 80 mph,
However I've been riding for 40 years
Everyone is at a different skill level.
They built Harley's for many many years without ABS.
I realize this probly don't help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
If I had a choice between an ABS and non ABS motorcycle OTHER than a Harley Davidson I would choose ABS.
If I were comparing Harley Davidson motorcycles I would choose NON ABS. The poor updating (on and off) wheel bearing sensors are inferior to an actual tone ring as found on other brands of motorcycles and cars, which update much faster to engage AND disengage ABS.
Add in the ABS HCU failures that have occurred that cause the complete loss of one of the brakes (front or rear). I would never invest in a system that has the potential to leave the rider with less than standard braking on both wheels.
Before someone says that 2016s have a different ABS HCU and may not be subject to to loss of residual braking, I'll remind you; the current HCU was approved by the same engineers who approved the previous one. Moreover, the discrepancy between an actual tone ring and the wheel bearing set up still exists.
If I were comparing Harley Davidson motorcycles I would choose NON ABS. The poor updating (on and off) wheel bearing sensors are inferior to an actual tone ring as found on other brands of motorcycles and cars, which update much faster to engage AND disengage ABS.
Add in the ABS HCU failures that have occurred that cause the complete loss of one of the brakes (front or rear). I would never invest in a system that has the potential to leave the rider with less than standard braking on both wheels.
Before someone says that 2016s have a different ABS HCU and may not be subject to to loss of residual braking, I'll remind you; the current HCU was approved by the same engineers who approved the previous one. Moreover, the discrepancy between an actual tone ring and the wheel bearing set up still exists.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: May 2008
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,046
Likes: 314
From: Denver CO
Get ABS if the bike is available with it. I've been riding only 34 years, and see the benefit. The side effect is resale. If getting a 2016 and you do not get it, will affect resale.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 17
From: U S of A
Rushmore linked ABS probably saved my life once when a soccer mom pulled out in front of me. At the very least, it saved the bike. I have a built up non-ABS '05 Road King that I love to ride but am considering trading on a '14+ just for the brakes. There's a few things I don't like about the Rushmore bikes, but brakes are definitely one thing they got right.
