Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Some problems with abs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #1  
Falco's Avatar
Falco
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Italy
Default Some problems with abs

My 2011 Ultra Limited.
Often I have problems braking on rough roads due to a disengagement of ABS. It also happens to you or is just a defect of mine?
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:05 PM
  #2  
petewerner's Avatar
petewerner
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Roads of Idaho
Default

Huh? Could u try describe the problem more completely and with some details perhaps someone with ABS knowledge will try and help u.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:07 PM
  #3  
rkoivisto's Avatar
rkoivisto
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Default Abs

It's doing what it's supposed to do. On rough roads the wheel will become unloaded when hitting bumps. When it becomes unloaded, the brake will lock the wheel up momentarily. The ABS will respond to that.

Ignore the ABS and just keep stepping on the brake.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:09 PM
  #4  
wjl24's Avatar
wjl24
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Default

It's definitely a strange feeling when that happens. But as said, it's just doing it's job. Takes a little getting used to. My first reaction was to let off and re-apply brakes but that's not what you are supposed to do. Just keep the pressure on and let them do their thing.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:12 PM
  #5  
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 825
From: Nevada
Default

Would be nice if Harley included an ABS on/off switch.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:16 PM
  #6  
av ultra's Avatar
av ultra
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 8
From: antelope valley ca.
Default

My rear tire does the same thing, imop way too touchy.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:16 PM
  #7  
sgdiesel's Avatar
sgdiesel
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Default

Originally Posted by rkoivisto
It's doing what it's supposed to do. On rough roads the wheel will become unloaded when hitting bumps. When it becomes unloaded, the brake will lock the wheel up momentarily. The ABS will respond to that.

Ignore the ABS and just keep stepping on the brake.
Agreed, ABS is really not suited to this kind of riding. As stated - ignore it. It does suggest that perhaps you are riding a bit quickly over that section - I guess it is a section you know well and ride regularly.

Not a lot you can do about it really
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:34 PM
  #8  
blarg's Avatar
blarg
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Default

Originally Posted by Geoff
Would be nice if Harley included an ABS on/off switch.
yeah...except you only need ABS when you don't expect to need it.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:36 PM
  #9  
Expat1's Avatar
Expat1
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Default

Try a quick start on dry asphalt and as soon as you get moving you immediately apply the brakes for an emergency braking situation. You're almost certain to hit the vehicle in front of you if you've not yet travelled one yard. Time seems to stop when you're applying the brakes and you don't know what's making the ABS hang at such a slow speed.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:40 PM
  #10  
sgdiesel's Avatar
sgdiesel
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Default

Originally Posted by Geoff
Would be nice if Harley included an ABS on/off switch.
Yes, that would make sense - although imagine the litigation risk. In today's crazy world I am sure someone could prove that HD were negligent for not somehow figuring a way to force the rider to switch it back on etc etc etc
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:22 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE