Hi all,

I was out for a ride with (3 bikes total) a week ago going around Flathead Lake. It's 7pm and we are heading north at about 55. I'm riding second and a deer jumps the guard rail and lands on the leading bike's front fender. (13 Street Glide). They go down and slide on pavement, passenger had a broken rib and 3 broken fingers, rider got a few stitches in his elbow and some elbow rash but otherwise ok. Really lucky! Now to my question. I don't remember locking up the brakes and I never felt the abs cycle but I left a 25 foot skid mark on the pavement. How did that happen? 2015 RGS, brake fluid was just flushed by Arrowhead HD in April, new rear pads in May. 28k on the bike
Thoughts ..... goldie

 

My only thought would be did you perhaps stop braking at some point? The manual says for ABS to activate, you have to maintain brake pressure throughout the ABS event. If not, I think you have an issue and you should probably have your ABS tested. Of course, you can perform a self-test in a parking lot if you're willing to try.

 

Could it be that aggressive front wheel breaking unloaded the rear wheel so much that it was just dragging along?

 

If you abruptly ****** or stomp the brakes, you can still lock them up. I'm not sure why, but I've done it as well. However, if you apply the brakes "correctly", (don't **** on me), then the ABS will activate properly.

Every spring I find an empty blacktop road, and practice. Starting at 25, I apply the brakes smoothly AND THEN FORCEFULLY, and the ABS always engages properly. Then 35, 45, and 55. No faster, too dangerous.

On the other hand, if you try this and it still skids, then a trip the dealership is in order.

 

Hmmmm ... something isnt right, curious what a knowledgeable dealer would say or possibly the moco

 

 

Dang! I didn't know Columbo had moved to NY's Southern Tier! Nicely deduced.

 

 

Hi all,
Thanks for the comments. I will tell you it all happen very quickly but seemed like it was in slow motion. I'm sure I grabbed a handful and footful of brakes as I watched it all unfold. The last bike was in the left lane, I was in formation to the right where the skid mark was and the front bike never hit the brakes. Again I never heard any tire lock up or felt the pulsing of the ABS. I do plan on hitting a parking lot and doing some testing next ride....goldie

 

I test my rear ABS nearly every time I ride. I think it is a good idea.