My experiences with ABS in a response in the brake and suspension forum last week.

"No screaming at me please, but this may be normal on HD ABS. I felt the same on my 08 SG when new and took it back to the dealer. They unbolted the calipers from their mountings, inserted something thinner than the rotors between the pads and pumped the brakes to get the pistons to travel further. They then reinstalled the calipers back into their mounts and seemed to make a noticable difference. I have noticed this on more than just a couple of ABS bikes. When I first noticed it on mine, I went around and checked for others on the showroom floors at a couple of dealers. They ALL did the same thing. They feel just a tad different than the non ABS bikes when just pulling the lever at a standstill. It may have something to do with the extra brake lines back and fourth between the calipers and ABS module. I have approx 1500 miles on mine now & either it is genuinely fine now or I just may be a bit use to it. Keep us updated on yours."

I also noticed that if you grab the brake lever quickly vs gradually, it is more firm. Not sure what that means though as you wouldn't typically apply the brakes that way while riding.

 

I would ask the dealer to use the Digital Technician to "toggle" the ABS system for bleeding purposes.

 

Good reason to not get ABS

 

I have not had that problem on my 08 Ultra, but I have noticed some new bikes at the dealer which seemed to have a lot more travel than mine.

 

For what it's worth, my '08 UC with ABS does NOT do that. Hand and foot brake is solid.

Hope you get it figured out!

 

even if this is so,,,,, I cant see the problem,
As every time I get on my bike, I pump all levers once or twice before even firing it up.
maybe its me,, maybe its from the old race days, making sure all's ready???

 

08 FLHX same here, spongy on first pull then nice and firm after that.

 

08 RKC does the same thing, I thought it was me being crazy but sounds like a common issue. I'll have them check it out on the 1k service.

 

I don't have a problem with my 08 RKC.

 

I don't have that problem with my08 Ultra with ABS brakes.
Good luck with yours.