ABS let me down
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Definitely not driving far enough ahead of himself. It takes a big old school bus a long time to stop, even in a panic stop. They usually have yellow flashing warning lights on just before they stop and then the lights turn to flashing red when they stop. Pretty hard to miss if you are paying attention. Glad he didn't get hurt, or even worse run over a kid that was getting off the bus! You should be watching at least 2 or 3 vehicles ahead of yourself.
It could be a good thing though, if he learns from it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
The ABS still does this, even after the download. It seems worse at low speeds like the ABS isnt getting enough wheel speed data and goes into an ultra conservative mode, and just spends too much time with the brakes off.
I have had the same thing happen, the bike should stop comfortably in the distance available and the ABS just cant get it right. Its a terrifying experience.
Thats why my ABS is still disconnected, even after the download. If I bin it because I lock up then so be it. If I bin it because the ABS takes an extra 15 feet to stop I am gonna be really pissed off.
I was expecting BMW quality ABS form Harley when I bought the 09, I guess I was a bit optimistic.
Dunno if you have read this:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-to-stop.html
Lotsa BS in there, but the original "test" was done with 09 spec ABS before the download. 44% longer to stop...
You will learn that ABS is a bit of a religion, people dont like to question it. But you definitely should question it, test it, and decide if it is for you.
Disabling it is as easy as pulling the front wheel sensor connector behind the nacelle, so its easy to do a back to back test non ABS vs ABS. You will be surprised just how much braking force you can get with the ABS off, those brembos bite.
I still plug mine in when its raining. But for hard riding on dry road I am better off without it.
I have had the same thing happen, the bike should stop comfortably in the distance available and the ABS just cant get it right. Its a terrifying experience.
Thats why my ABS is still disconnected, even after the download. If I bin it because I lock up then so be it. If I bin it because the ABS takes an extra 15 feet to stop I am gonna be really pissed off.
I was expecting BMW quality ABS form Harley when I bought the 09, I guess I was a bit optimistic.
Dunno if you have read this:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-to-stop.html
Lotsa BS in there, but the original "test" was done with 09 spec ABS before the download. 44% longer to stop...
You will learn that ABS is a bit of a religion, people dont like to question it. But you definitely should question it, test it, and decide if it is for you.
Disabling it is as easy as pulling the front wheel sensor connector behind the nacelle, so its easy to do a back to back test non ABS vs ABS. You will be surprised just how much braking force you can get with the ABS off, those brembos bite.
I still plug mine in when its raining. But for hard riding on dry road I am better off without it.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Duluth GA
I prefer to have ABS, just like I prefer to wear a FF.
That said, it's not a miracle cure. All it does is keep the brakes from locking up. It is possible for an experienced rider to stop a bike faster on dry level pavement faster without ABS than with it. However, on sand, gravel, dirt or wet pavement, there is no comparison.
From Motorcyle-Intelligence.com..."If you have attended a motorcycle event in which BMW was one of the participating vendors, you may have seen their demonstration and/or video where they compare the braking performance of ABS and non-ABS equipped bikes on flooded pavement. The demo-motorcycles are equipped with outriggers, to prevent the bikes from completely going down. The bikes are each ridden into several inches of water whereby they apply emergency braking. The non-ABS motorcycle loses control, falls over onto the outriggers and spins out. However, the bike with ABS makes a controlled, straight-line stop."
That said, it's not a miracle cure. All it does is keep the brakes from locking up. It is possible for an experienced rider to stop a bike faster on dry level pavement faster without ABS than with it. However, on sand, gravel, dirt or wet pavement, there is no comparison.
From Motorcyle-Intelligence.com..."If you have attended a motorcycle event in which BMW was one of the participating vendors, you may have seen their demonstration and/or video where they compare the braking performance of ABS and non-ABS equipped bikes on flooded pavement. The demo-motorcycles are equipped with outriggers, to prevent the bikes from completely going down. The bikes are each ridden into several inches of water whereby they apply emergency braking. The non-ABS motorcycle loses control, falls over onto the outriggers and spins out. However, the bike with ABS makes a controlled, straight-line stop."
Last edited by GAZippoman; Apr 23, 2010 at 04:54 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Go and ride a BMW and test its ABS. Its a lot different to HD....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
Damn Jimmy! I saw the title of your post and saw it was you that posted and I was afraid you had wiped out your RKC. I'm glad you didn't wipe out. I have heard lots of complaints about abs kicking in when it shouldn't but, I've got close to 2800 miles on mine and I haven't even got mine to ever kick in. Maybe mine had the update put on before I took delivery.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 865
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista CA
Mine did well on a sand blown road. Panic stop. I felt I could have stopped it better without ABS. But I just changed how close I follow. Problem solved. (08 ABS Ultra) not sure if I have any download change.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 23
From: NC
Exactly.
Definitely not driving far enough ahead of himself. It takes a big old school bus a long time to stop, even in a panic stop. They usually have yellow flashing warning lights on just before they stop and then the lights turn to flashing red when they stop. Pretty hard to miss if you are paying attention. Glad he didn't get hurt, or even worse run over a kid that was getting off the bus! You should be watching at least 2 or 3 vehicles ahead of yourself.
It could be a good thing though, if he learns from it?
Definitely not driving far enough ahead of himself. It takes a big old school bus a long time to stop, even in a panic stop. They usually have yellow flashing warning lights on just before they stop and then the lights turn to flashing red when they stop. Pretty hard to miss if you are paying attention. Glad he didn't get hurt, or even worse run over a kid that was getting off the bus! You should be watching at least 2 or 3 vehicles ahead of yourself.
It could be a good thing though, if he learns from it?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
As a school bus driver I can attest to how long it takes to stop a bus. The OP did mess up and I think he knows it already. First increase your following distance a bunch, nobody is far enough back today. Second do not follow the tail lights of the vehicle in front of you. Watch way ahead, at least the distance you travel in 15 seconds. Do not concentrate on the vehicle in front of you. Keep yourself safe.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From:
I don't get it. Sounds like his brakes performed exactly as they were designed. I do notice he only mentions his foot being pulsated off the brake. What about his hand on the front brake? Not engaged is my guess or the rear brake wouldn't have pulsated so violently from the pressure.
The important thing to also remember. He did NOT go into any kind of slide or lock up and was able to steer his bike out of harms way.
Without the ABS, he woulda been wearing that mini van for a hood ornament or high-sided into it and possibly been seriously injured. Lucky he had ABS in my opinion.
Title of this thread should read:
ABS Saved My Life Today!!
The important thing to also remember. He did NOT go into any kind of slide or lock up and was able to steer his bike out of harms way.
Without the ABS, he woulda been wearing that mini van for a hood ornament or high-sided into it and possibly been seriously injured. Lucky he had ABS in my opinion.
Title of this thread should read:
ABS Saved My Life Today!!
Last edited by adlerx; Apr 23, 2010 at 05:45 PM.