For those of you always asking about ABS

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May 18, 2011 | 03:18 PM

#41

ehans

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Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Orange Co, California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garandman

You can still low side even with ABS, if you hit sand, leaves, or in Boston we have these granite bricks that are slicker than whale snot when wet.

As the HD video on its ABS system points out, there are scenarios where ABS is of little or no value. If you are turning on any of those slick surfaces (or a perfectly dry slap of asphalt for that matter) and hit the brakes, ABS or no, you are going to have problems. ABS doesn't counteract the laws of physics for a two wheeled vehicle.

Going straight on those surfaces though, you'd be better off than a non-ABS equipped rider would be.

May 18, 2011 | 03:52 PM

#42

Garandman

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Joined: Jul 2010

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From: Boston, PR of MA

HD emphasizes straight-line use: most other manufacturers do not make that distinction. Perhaps it's just a CYA move.

May 18, 2011 | 05:55 PM

#43

psychocircus

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 761

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From: lewisville, nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCFLHTC

Glad your OK. I agree about the ABS, why not. My car has it so why shouldn't my bike. I haven't had the opportunity to use the ABS on my 11 Limited but I feel better knowing it's there.

find an empty lot and cram 'em a few times... its something you need to feel before you really need to use them

May 18, 2011 | 06:09 PM

#44

cardboard

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,909

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From: Livingston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunner11

This Saturday evening I was head north on Main street to go to Walmart. Traffice was lined up and heavy. I was following a van, and about 5 bike lengths behind him. Traffice was going bout 40 MPH. All of a sudden, the van swerved left, and there was a stalled truck in the middle of the road. I was about 35 feet away. I hit both brakes, the front locked up so I let off and it unlocked and started squeezing with rear still locked.I had nowhere to go on the right or the left, and the back end had stated to slew around. I kept the front pointed to a point to the right of the truck and was going to try an split the difference. But I had gone past my center of gravity and the bike came down and started to slide. I stayed with it until the very end,and then let go so I wouldn't hit the truck. I rolled onto my left side and let my Skid Lid and ArmoredMesh jacket take the punishement while I was sliding. My bike is a 08 Ultra and doesn't have ABS. would they have stopped me? I don't know but I sure wish I could have given them a try. Anyway, I did everything else I could, bike is still ridable with some comestic damage, and I have a hariline fracture of the left ankle and three small road rash spots, so my gear did it's job too. So, If you ask if you should have ABS, I say why not? You just never know. First time I've ever been down, but any wreck you walk away from is a good day. I think I used all the magic in my Guardian Bell up though

Time for a new one (hint, Hint)

Glad yer O.K.
Got ABS on my 11 Harley. Do not care for it Period.
Git on a slick highway or in gravel and use ABS.

May 18, 2011 | 07:01 PM

#45

gunner11

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Roswell, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdp

Your post got me to thinking, so I went out for some testing and here are the results.

2011 FLHTK

Somewhat controlled course

Set cruise at 40mph, waited till I was even with a utility pole and slammed down on both brakes. No problem with stopping in a controlled manner. First pass was 39' 2nd pass was 36' or 4.5 to 5 bike lenghts. The difference has to be in my reaction time.

I only had about 30', so that would have still been bad.

May 18, 2011 | 07:02 PM

#46

gunner11

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Roswell, NM

My apologies to Shooter, I was in a bad mood and a lot of pain. No excuse for being rude, so please forgive me.

May 18, 2011 | 07:04 PM

#47

gunner11

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From: Roswell, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2WheelGlider

Glad to hear you are OK.

As far as what motorlessons stated, I couldnt agree more. Accident anaylsis is important for everyone. Although I am far from perfect, I pride myself in being an educated and informed rider. I take alot of time practicing slow speed manuevrs as well as higher speed riding. I still practice SIPDE everytime I ride. I have never understood the "had to lay it down" comments the uninformed seem to make (absolutely not referring to OP in any way). Those are the ones trying to justify being to cheap to buy the ABS option. Personally, I would not own a bike without ABS.

I did everything to try and NOT lay it down. Was fighting it to the bitter end. I would never "lay it down" as my option, it went down, but I see your point.