2008 Ultra ABS issue
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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It can also kill you with a mid ride failure. There is something I like better if I fail to do things properly rather than a surprise, unannounced failure doing me in. I can make sure I have adequate interval for easy braking, but NO ONE plans on a BRAKE FAILURE. How much ADDED INTERVAL does one need for that?
Last edited by downzero; Mar 29, 2024 at 12:04 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 64
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From: Franklin, WI
It can also kill you with a mid ride failure. There is something I like better if I fail to do things properly rather than a surprise, unannounced failure doing me in. I can make sure I have adequate interval for easy braking, but NO ONE plans on a BRAKE FAILURE. How much ADDED INTERVAL does one need for that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,453
Likes: 3,720
From: backwoods
It can also kill you with a mid ride failure. There is something I like better if I fail to do things properly rather than a surprise, unannounced failure doing me in. I can make sure I have adequate interval for easy braking, but NO ONE plans on a BRAKE FAILURE. How much ADDED INTERVAL does one need for that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Ah, the old ABS debate...
IMHO, a good working ABS system is worth having. But I don't think it is the silver bullet to stay safe on a motorcycle. I think a lot of people really get overly dramatic about ABS and its value.
Without ABS, there are many things you can do, and skills/habits you can develop, while riding a motorcycle that will diminish your chances of being hurt in accident. I have been riding Harleys since 1978. I estimate I have over 400K miles of riding since that time. ABS didn't come out in Harleys until police bikes in 2005, and as an option for touring bikes in 2008.
In my youth and "aggressive" riding days I have avoided numerous close calls, mostly self induced, without the benefit of ABS... As I have gotten older and wiser, the number of those self-induced situations has been dramatically reduced, but clueless people in cars have added a new element of risk.
So while I welcome any assistance from ABS, I drive every bike like my safety is dependent on MY choices, decisions, and skills. I do not expect ABS to save me, and I don't feel ABS is a necessity to be safe while riding a motorcycle.
I have 4 bikes. One has ABS and three do not..... I have absolutely no problem riding any of my bikes at any time. I do not feel I am in more danger on the three without ABS than the one with ABS...
Don't forget, there are many people who think we are all bat$hit crazy for riding motorcycles in the first place.....
Again, that is my personal opinion based on my anecdotal experience. We are all free to choose the level of risk that we are comfortable with...
IMHO, a good working ABS system is worth having. But I don't think it is the silver bullet to stay safe on a motorcycle. I think a lot of people really get overly dramatic about ABS and its value.
Without ABS, there are many things you can do, and skills/habits you can develop, while riding a motorcycle that will diminish your chances of being hurt in accident. I have been riding Harleys since 1978. I estimate I have over 400K miles of riding since that time. ABS didn't come out in Harleys until police bikes in 2005, and as an option for touring bikes in 2008.
In my youth and "aggressive" riding days I have avoided numerous close calls, mostly self induced, without the benefit of ABS... As I have gotten older and wiser, the number of those self-induced situations has been dramatically reduced, but clueless people in cars have added a new element of risk.
So while I welcome any assistance from ABS, I drive every bike like my safety is dependent on MY choices, decisions, and skills. I do not expect ABS to save me, and I don't feel ABS is a necessity to be safe while riding a motorcycle.
I have 4 bikes. One has ABS and three do not..... I have absolutely no problem riding any of my bikes at any time. I do not feel I am in more danger on the three without ABS than the one with ABS...
Don't forget, there are many people who think we are all bat$hit crazy for riding motorcycles in the first place.....
Again, that is my personal opinion based on my anecdotal experience. We are all free to choose the level of risk that we are comfortable with...
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 30, 2024 at 09:44 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
I'm very surprised to read that IF the ABS system fails the rider loses ALL braking ability. Surprised that DOT would allow a design that creates a NO BRAKES issue.
IF SO, then I suppose some serious downshifting would take place to slow down.
IF SO, then I suppose some serious downshifting would take place to slow down.
Last edited by Rob175; Mar 30, 2024 at 12:51 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Never experienced it myself, but there's certainly no lack of first hand reports of it happening.
Doesn't help that Harley has made various changes and revisions to the ABS over the years, and that this is not well documented. As in from year A to B, system X; Year C to D, system Y, etc.
There used to be some pages that did document the history of Harley ABS, but those would be old now, and honestly, I can't find a one of them these days.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,453
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From: backwoods
I do think the traction control on my autos has saved me.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Good roads, cold beer
So how can you tell if your bike has ABS or not? I'm picking up an 08 Ultra and I'm curious if it has ABS or not. This will be my first Harley (but not my first motorcycle by far) so I'm just learning about them at a deeper level than I've had experience with. I do all of my own work on all my bikes so this is something I'd like to learn about.
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 85
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From: usa
Looks like Harley still had brake issues into 2020 on some models (at least the trikes)
Rick Barrett
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A jury finds Harley-Davidson liable in death of a trike rider
Jury finds that defective brake software caused a crash that killed a Harley-Davidson trike rider.
Rick BarrettMilwaukee Journal Sentinel