08 vs 09 ABS Brakes
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 35
From: On the lake, Ohio
ABS 08 vs. ABS 09 systems? I'm not an expert on anything concerning HD motorcycles, but there may be a difference since the frame change & tire size difference 08 vs. 09 FLH's? Think about it.
2008 ABS was introduced to the public FLH bikes and some V-Rod models. I think it may have been earlier since Police bikes had ABS introduced since when?
What ever, my 2008 with ABS is a godsend and I am not going to the dealer for a "download" since mine works as advertised and every time. I am not sure where the nay sayers of ABS are coming from? But yes I am listening......
2008 ABS was introduced to the public FLH bikes and some V-Rod models. I think it may have been earlier since Police bikes had ABS introduced since when?
What ever, my 2008 with ABS is a godsend and I am not going to the dealer for a "download" since mine works as advertised and every time. I am not sure where the nay sayers of ABS are coming from? But yes I am listening......
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I’ve been slammed more than once because of my dislike for ABS If the Motor Company offered the 09 SG in white I would buy one in a heartbeat just to get away from ABS.
The ABS on both the front and rear brakes activate too early. Just this afternoon I applied rear only, I was nowhere near locking up and almost as soon as I hit the brake the pedal popped up once and the brake went away completely.
The ABS on both the front and rear brakes activate too early. Just this afternoon I applied rear only, I was nowhere near locking up and almost as soon as I hit the brake the pedal popped up once and the brake went away completely.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
I paid for them, in hopes that if I ever need them they will save my a$$ or at least help. More a "piece of mind" for me. So, yes, they are worth the price, to me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
That's not the case at all Jonny. I've been a huge ABS fan since 2002 and have had it on three BMWs and my Yamaha. Works fantastic on those bikes and it's VERY DIFFICULT to activate the ABS even under hard braking.
But on the Harley all it takes to trigger the ABS is hitting a bump while only moderately using the brakes, then the bike lurches forward instead of slowing down.
Harley needs to recalibrate the ABS because now it activates much too easily.
But on the Harley all it takes to trigger the ABS is hitting a bump while only moderately using the brakes, then the bike lurches forward instead of slowing down.
Harley needs to recalibrate the ABS because now it activates much too easily.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Texas
I have about 18K miles on my '08 Ultra w/ABS and I think I have activated the ABS twice for sure and maybe a couple of more times at most. Works as it should imho. I've had several BMWs w/ABS and wouldn't be without it. I think riding habits has a lot to do with this subject and it's hard to say that it's too sensitive w/o knowing how one rides and stops on an everyday basis.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, OH
I have to disagree with those that say ABS is not a good option. I don't know about Harley's versus BMW or others but I don't think there is any way someone can sense when a tire is close to locking up better than the computer. I can see where if you come to a washbord section of road that with unweighting of the bike that ABS might kick in but it should release when it hits the next rise in pavement. Whatever. I once went down on wet pavement because of a lock up of the front wheel. Fortunately I was not going too fast, maybe 15-20 mph, and I suffered no injuries. The point I want to make is that I went down in a blink of an eye. I was down before I knew what was happening. ABS may not work perfectly under every conceivable condition but chance of a panic stop just at the time of hitting a washboard is a risk I will take to be covered under all other conditions.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
I have ABS on my '09 streetglide. It was on the bike I wanted so I got it because I didn't want to wait. I really didn't want it. I had my AMA RR pro card when I was younger and was one of those guys that said if you need ABS you can't ride. I watched the video and practiced in a large parking lot. Took a bit to get used to it. I recently spent a weekend in the Texas hillcountry riding the bike like I stole it with a crazy group of friends, some on sportbikes. Lots of tight off-camber turns with bumps going into them and lots of speed. The ABS functioned as it should. It activated when I would have definitely skidded. The skid wouldn't have really bothered me but ABS didn't either.
It has activated a couple times on wet slick stops coming off the freeway near my house and it was easy to keep the bike straight and upright. I would say I can stop this 900lb beast quicker with it than without it.
It has activated a couple times on wet slick stops coming off the freeway near my house and it was easy to keep the bike straight and upright. I would say I can stop this 900lb beast quicker with it than without it.