Stopped at Greeley HD today to have some things I think should be covered under warranty looked at. They took pics and would get with MOCO.
Got a rough tit sticking up on top of saddlebag side guard that you just know will start rusting, dash panel vinyl cover split the other day and air temp gauge again, exhaust fumes, etc.. Minor stuff kinda.
Anyway The owner was there and was happy to visit for a few (unlike the azz at Thunder Mountain). He is going to bring the air temp up at their (dealers)next meeting in Denver. See if he can get any input and help in correcting mine. (Worth a try). Going to try with a winter time safety issue (real temp 25 vs reading of 35 to 40......water on road freezes at 32 and lower, what if I think its 35 or 40 because of gauge and then hit a wet spot that turns out to be ice.....)
Anyway: Looked at some 08 with ABS
Techs didn't have any sales bulletins on them and weren't much help.
But for you all, it appears to be on front wheel only.
And until aftermarket wheel makers can come up with some new wheels you apparently won't be changing out wheels.
Remember how the old cable type speedometer senders were mounted to front axle.
The wheel speed sensor is mounted similarly.
So space is an issue, The sensor relies on notches in the wheel (or an adapter not sure which yet) to tell it and subsequently the ABS computer if the wheel is locking up.
Also a larger diameter wheel may throw the sensor out of sinc and give a false reading. locking when you're not or vice versa. Will have to look into that too.
Service department could not (or would not) tell me if the ABS computer was separate or or part of the main ECU. So will have to check that too.
From what I could tell, I think you will be able to bleed brakes yourself, but it will take a special procedure most likely like it does on some autos with ABS, because of the solenoid and accumulator in system.
Haven't yet seen a article (with pics) that shows the whole system. Haven't really looked as doesn't affect me yet. But curious minds want to know, so will look into it for personal knowledge.

 

Thanks for the info,
Wow, if you are right about the ABS on the front only, this will put to rest the issue for me. I'm lusting after the ABS , however I would
want it on the REAR !. Locking up the rear and letting go can cause you to do a high side flip and crash. If it's not on the rear , I am off
the hook on my lust to trade my 07 in.
BTW, what about the fly by wire throttle? That idea bothers me.

 

I don't know who told you that the '08 ABS is front wheel only but they're certainly wrong. I can attest to the fact that MY '08 rear wheel ABS works fine.

The ABS works on both wheels independently.

 

Yeah, it's front/rear and the tone rings are part of the bearings, not the wheels.

 

Wow what a bunch of misinformation! The ABS as others have said is both front and rear, check out Hog Pro web page they have wheels for 08's listed and in the 21 size.

 

ABS front and rear wheel!

 

choochoo,,, not to start a argument here,, but infact today,
I watched the ABS video disk that came with my 08 ultra,,
It is a TWO wheel system,,, it has a sperate computer from ems,
it has sensor,and wheel sender and its on the Bearing,, (if I recall correctly)
The demo on the disk will make you want it,,, and I have tryed it my self,, AWSOME
gotta try it to make a believer out of ya.
if you feel the abs pulsing on your foot or brake hand, hold the pressure,,
it pulsates at 7 x a sec,,, lot faster than you can pump your brakes manually.
No notches,,, and how many times do you actually bleed brakes??
the throttle is silky smooth,, NO complaints there either,,
They made the 08's right,,, I know, cause I dumped the 07!

 

Take a look at the latest copy of Hot Bike Baggers. they go into the '08 line up pretty well. Also have read several articles on the ABS. Sure would be nice for my bike, but it ain't going to happen. LOL

 

as I said dealer wasn't much help.
But because of saddle bags couldn't really see the rear wheel well enough
to see if a sensor was there or not.
Abs works by a sensor on the wheel telling a computer if a wheel is locking up or not. The computer then very rapidly energizes and de-energizes a solenoid for that wheel. works same as you pumping brakes manually, but much faster and with more precision.
Look at your rear wheel, see if a wire and sensor goes to the axle.
Unless HD has a different method for the rear.
Tech and salesman weren't very knowledgeable on it.
didn't see any external solenoids but front could be tucked in the fairing.
And as I said I need to look at one more closely and find some tech literature on it.
As for fly by wire to put it VERY simply.
Imagine the throttle is a volume **** on radio. more you turn it more volume as the resistance in the circuit lowers so more power goes to the speaker.
Same basic for the throttle, but in this case it powers what in effect is a stepping motor (HD may call it something else but principle is same).
move the throttle you you change voltage signal to the stepping moto which in turns the throttle plate open or closed.
How fast does it react, don't know couldn't start one to hear and feel it.
But I'm sure it will take some getting used to.

 

I was only giving basic info
Haven't had one apart yet to see if part of bearing assembly or wheel hub.