So I went and did some emergency braking stops with my 09 SG this week. I did quite a few at speeds from 10mph to 35mph and yep, I have to agree that ABS takes longer to stop compared to my 02 RKC. Nothing changes for me because I bought the ABS to prevent lockup during a panic situation. So I’m not complaining, I am very happy with them.

That being said, here’s where the ABS seems to add distance: I run the bike up to 20 mph and then hit the brakes hard. The front end starts the normal dive when the brakes grab and then you get a brief sense of no brakes along with the brake lever pushing against your hand. Then bam, the bike is stopping hard. I ran about dozen consecutive stops to see if the brakes reacted differently and no, that is about the same every time. Now if you slowly apply the brakes but eventually get to the point of locking the brakes, that is a little different. The hesitation of the ABS kicking on is more subtle. But in the very brief time that the ABS kicks on and releases the brakes from locking the wheel, the bikes is going a few feet before the ABS applies the right amount of braking. I’d say 10 to 15 feet.

I have also felt the ABS kick in when just normal braking on a few bumps and I also agree that you will not stop as fast as you may be used to without ABS. That is an annoying feeling.

Now I know that 10 to 15 feet is the difference between stopping before you hit something and actually hitting the object. But here’s the thing, it still stopping you faster than if you lock up either the front or rear tire. And one of the most common causes of rider injury is high siding which is caused by rear tire lock up.

I had an accident 3 years ago in my Mustang. I was going 15 mph in traffic on a damp road. The car in front of me stopped quickly and I had enough time to stop had the road been dry. But the wheels locked up and I hit the truck going about 2mph. Not fast enough to damage the truck or kick on my airbag on, but fast enough to cost $3000 to fix the damage on my mustang. ABS would have save me there and that is exactly the situation that motivated me to get ABS on the bike.

I do like the ABS and I am very confident that it will do its job when I need it in a panic stop. But I highly suggest that everyone with ABS go to a parking lot and practice a lot to get use to them because they do react differently. It can feel a bit funky, so you need to know what is going on. I also found that the painted parking lot lines will kick them on is you are crossing over them during hard braking. That was kind of cool really and it does give you a feel for how they will save your rear end on the street.

I don’t know how other bikes like Gold Wings or BMW ABS react, but I have heard that they take some getting use to as well. My advice, go and practice some hard stops and get to know your ABS.

Beary

 

Just one question: How do you know ABS would have prevented the damage to your Mustang? Not bashing ABS - just asking.

 

The only benefit I see for ABS is on wet roads. So I have run my ABS through my Auxiliary switch and turn in on and off as I see fit.

 

Great question, I don't really. I assumed that because I skidded about 15. I did not have time to let the brakes off and engage them again and I think I only needed a few more feet to stop. With the experience I have with the ABS my other car, I pretty sure it would have stopped me in time. As it was, I felt helpless.

Beary

 

My only other experience with motorcycle ABS is on BMW. Harley's ABS seems similar to BMW's first generation in that the cycle pulses are pretty long. (BMW's latest version is much quicker.) A situation like braking on a down grade over a bumpy road can trigger the ABS, and with those l o n g pulses it's a little un-nerving. But normally it just quietly does it's job by doing nothing.

 

My F650GS with budget ABS still works much better than HD's system. Hardly ever kicks in, and when it does it's very subtle.

 

Our 2006 work bikes have ABS, but our department has opted to NOT have ABS installed on our 2008 work bikes. As long as you break evenly, I think ABS is great for MOST folks. But it CAN increase stopping distances in certain circumstances. But the benefits (as long as you brake proportionally) outweigh the draw-backs.

Ben

 

interesting..was it easy to do?

 

I just got my '09 Road King Classic with ABS yesterday. Have an '04 Wide Glide as well. To be honest, with all the discussions about ABS, pros and cons, I haven't come to understand why it matters how quick it stops compared to another bike. I don't expect my RKC to ride, stop, accelerate, turn, or do anything else exactly like my Wide Glide. I am creating my riding experience based on the factual specifics of my RKC, not my Wide Glide. It's heavier so of course it will take longer to stop - my 36' Bayliner stops faster than a battle cruiser.

IMHO, you ride a bike based on its abilities and limitations. If it takes a little farther to stop than your previous bike, then factor that in when you ride. On the other hand, when you have to stop quickly and safely, the ABS is a major plus. If the trade-off doesn't seem reasonable to you, then don't buy a bike with ABS. They're all available with and without.

 

I keep going back and forth on ABS. I wish I had considered it a little more when I bought my 08. Thanks for the post.