ABS Concerns
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
Taz,
As someone mentioned, there was an ABS re-flash that came out in about August, 2009. It was a nice improvement in the system. On your 2009, it's well worth checking that your motor has the latest re-flash.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
As someone mentioned, there was an ABS re-flash that came out in about August, 2009. It was a nice improvement in the system. On your 2009, it's well worth checking that your motor has the latest re-flash.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Taz,
As someone mentioned, there was an ABS re-flash that came out in about August, 2009. It was a nice improvement in the system. On your 2009, it's well worth checking that your motor has the latest re-flash.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
As someone mentioned, there was an ABS re-flash that came out in about August, 2009. It was a nice improvement in the system. On your 2009, it's well worth checking that your motor has the latest re-flash.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Hi Harris,
I have a question about the ABS re-flash:
In June 2009 I rode a rental Electra Glide MY2009. I tested the brakes while riding at 30 mph when a cat ran from the side towards my front wheel. I was really impressed with the way the bike handled compared to my Yamaha FJ. The cat had plenty of time to react and we had eye contact...
In June 2010 I bought an FLHT (with the newer ABS version ?) and I noticed it doesn't react as fast in an equivalent situation. Is there an explanation?
With my 2010 Electra Glide in heavy traffic I find it safer to keep a safety distance where I can see the pavement under the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. In a quick start-stop situation behind a sports Audi my ABS gave me a real sweat
I have a question about the ABS re-flash:
In June 2009 I rode a rental Electra Glide MY2009. I tested the brakes while riding at 30 mph when a cat ran from the side towards my front wheel. I was really impressed with the way the bike handled compared to my Yamaha FJ. The cat had plenty of time to react and we had eye contact...
In June 2010 I bought an FLHT (with the newer ABS version ?) and I noticed it doesn't react as fast in an equivalent situation. Is there an explanation?
With my 2010 Electra Glide in heavy traffic I find it safer to keep a safety distance where I can see the pavement under the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. In a quick start-stop situation behind a sports Audi my ABS gave me a real sweat
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 2
From: Pacific Northwest
I have a 2008 with ABS and being a mostly city rider, I have had to brake hard enough to engage ABS on a few occasions. I must admit that I have never felt the ABS pulse in the front brakes but in the rear brakes the pulse feels extreme as if it just lets the rear tire go with out reengaging in a timely manner. I am sure that the rear brakes are probably reengaging; it just doesn't feel that way. I wonder if there is an upgrade program for the 08 ABS system like there is for the 09.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
Hi Harris,
I have a question about the ABS re-flash:
In June 2009 I rode a rental Electra Glide MY2009. I tested the brakes while riding at 30 mph when a cat ran from the side towards my front wheel. I was really impressed with the way the bike handled compared to my Yamaha FJ. The cat had plenty of time to react and we had eye contact...
In June 2010 I bought an FLHT (with the newer ABS version ?) and I noticed it doesn't react as fast in an equivalent situation. Is there an explanation?
With my 2010 Electra Glide in heavy traffic I find it safer to keep a safety distance where I can see the pavement under the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. In a quick start-stop situation behind a sports Audi my ABS gave me a real sweat
I have a question about the ABS re-flash:
In June 2009 I rode a rental Electra Glide MY2009. I tested the brakes while riding at 30 mph when a cat ran from the side towards my front wheel. I was really impressed with the way the bike handled compared to my Yamaha FJ. The cat had plenty of time to react and we had eye contact...
In June 2010 I bought an FLHT (with the newer ABS version ?) and I noticed it doesn't react as fast in an equivalent situation. Is there an explanation?
With my 2010 Electra Glide in heavy traffic I find it safer to keep a safety distance where I can see the pavement under the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. In a quick start-stop situation behind a sports Audi my ABS gave me a real sweat
I'm not sure if you're feeling the brakes don't react quickly enough for you, or that ABS is not engaging as quickly as you would like.
If it's the first, I can only assume you've got an issue with the brakes themselves (air in the line, etc.) not an ABS issue. The ECM cannot affect the mechanics of the brakes, only the programming of the ABS.
If it's the second, then you're gaining the advantage of the improved ECM flash, but apparently not recognizing it as a positive . You want braking without ABS activation. ABS is only there to prevent the wheel from locking. ABS activation actually lengthens your braking distance slightly, so you don't want it to activate. You do want it there in case of a braking error, that would have resulted in a locked wheel without ABS.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
I have a 2008 with ABS and being a mostly city rider, I have had to brake hard enough to engage ABS on a few occasions. I must admit that I have never felt the ABS pulse in the front brakes but in the rear brakes the pulse feels extreme as if it just lets the rear tire go with out reengaging in a timely manner. I am sure that the rear brakes are probably reengaging; it just doesn't feel that way. I wonder if there is an upgrade program for the 08 ABS system like there is for the 09.
The Harley ABS system provides a stronger "pulse" than a lot of people might like. I'm sure this was deliberate. It's very important for a rider to know positively that they have engaged ABS. However, apparently some of the feedback pulse is dependent upon the surface friction. In testing where I've run off pavement onto either gravel or turf, the lever pulse is not nearly as strong. By the way, the feeling you get on a very low friction surface is VERY disconcerting. Since there is almost no friction, there is almost no resistance. Since there is almost no resistance, ABS has to allow a LOT of wheel rotation to prevent lock-up. This ends up with a feeling something like no brakes at all. This is similar to what riders that use only the rear brake report when they brake on pavement. They complain the rear brake "does nothing". The reason is not because of ABS, it's because the rear brake doesn't have the ability to do much when used by itself, at speed. Since with ABS the wheel doesn't lock, they don't get the skid they're used to feeling indicates they're getting "good" braking.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Last edited by motorlessons; Jan 15, 2011 at 04:19 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
The problem I had with the earlier iteration of ABS on the '08 and newer, was that ABS would engage earlier than I liked on the front wheel. The reflash increased the allowable coefficient of friction.
I'm not sure if you're feeling the brakes don't react quickly enough for you, or that ABS is not engaging as quickly as you would like.
If it's the first, I can only assume you've got an issue with the brakes themselves (air in the line, etc.) not an ABS issue. The ECM cannot affect the mechanics of the brakes, only the programming of the ABS.
If it's the second, then you're gaining the advantage of the improved ECM flash, but apparently not recognizing it as a positive . You want braking without ABS activation. ABS is only there to prevent the wheel from locking. ABS activation actually lengthens your braking distance slightly, so you don't want it to activate. You do want it there in case of a braking error, that would have resulted in a locked wheel without ABS.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
I'm not sure if you're feeling the brakes don't react quickly enough for you, or that ABS is not engaging as quickly as you would like.
If it's the first, I can only assume you've got an issue with the brakes themselves (air in the line, etc.) not an ABS issue. The ECM cannot affect the mechanics of the brakes, only the programming of the ABS.
If it's the second, then you're gaining the advantage of the improved ECM flash, but apparently not recognizing it as a positive . You want braking without ABS activation. ABS is only there to prevent the wheel from locking. ABS activation actually lengthens your braking distance slightly, so you don't want it to activate. You do want it there in case of a braking error, that would have resulted in a locked wheel without ABS.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
One of the first lessons you learn in dignitary protection and vehicvle driving is when you come to a stop in traffic that you always need to be able to see the bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of you. It allows you an escape area if you need to make a fast exit. Same holds true for MCs. While riding my 1200C a vehicle was stopped in front of me trying to turn, past the crest of a hill on a one lane rode. Not only did I stop a ways back but I pointed my bike slightly to the right because of opposing traffic. Good thing I did as a cage came up behind requiring me to drive to the right of the vehicle turning or I would have been hit as the car screeched to halt where I was initially. Fortunately, nothing bad happened.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
One of the first lessons you learn in dignitary protection and vehicvle driving is when you come to a stop in traffic that you always need to be able to see the bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of you. It allows you an escape area if you need to make a fast exit. Same holds true for MCs. While riding my 1200C a vehicle was stopped in front of me trying to turn, past the crest of a hill on a one lane rode. Not only did I stop a ways back but I pointed my bike slightly to the right because of opposing traffic. Good thing I did as a cage came up behind requiring me to drive to the right of the vehicle turning or I would have been hit as the car screeched to halt where I was initially. Fortunately, nothing bad happened.
motorlessons@hotmail.com
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
SUPRPIG's point is extremely important. I cover it in more detail in a booklet I've written. It's free if anyone wants it. Just e-mail me at:
motorlessons@hotmail.com
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
motorlessons@hotmail.com
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
