Would you holdout for ABS
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
Wow! Thanks for not taking me to task... you know, me and my collasal ignorance. lmao
Take a chill pill slick.
Here is how it is and if you don't agree with it fine but... maybe you better re-examine your riding technique.
First, you hit someone from behind (the point I was responding to), you're the idiot. You were following too close and you are right, ABS won't help you stop any quicker so you are still going to hit them because.... you were following too close or riding too fast for the conditions. Either way, your fault, you're not paying attention and driving defensively.
Second, car turns left in front of you without signaling or pulls out in front of you, you hit them, you're still the idiot and need to examine your riding technique. No one turns left in front of me that I am not prepared for or pulls out a side street that i am not prepared for. Also since as you indicated ABS does not help you stop quicker, you still hit them and you are still not paying attention or riding too quickly for the conditions.
Third, you catch yourself going too quickly around a curve and need ABS to keep you upright, you're the idiot. Proper technique entering a corner is to be able to see through it at an appropriate speed. And since as you pointed out ABS doesn't stop you any quicker, you crash, you're still not paying attention.
Unfortunately every post in here where ABS saved the rider was because of rider error. ie; kept me from losing control when I went hard on the brakes to avoid hitting something I shouldn't be near, when road conditions were adverse and I was riding above my ability or when I just wasn't paying attention at all.
So now you tell me. If these riders aren't relying upon ABS to keep them alive and are riding within their skill levels yet constantly relying upon their ABS to save them, are they just stupid or not paying attention?
In fact slick, I hate to tell you this but.... ABS was designed to try and save the driver or rider or pilot who wasn't and isn't paying attention or riding or driving above their ability for conditions. It does not come on at any other time.
Take a chill pill slick.
Here is how it is and if you don't agree with it fine but... maybe you better re-examine your riding technique.
First, you hit someone from behind (the point I was responding to), you're the idiot. You were following too close and you are right, ABS won't help you stop any quicker so you are still going to hit them because.... you were following too close or riding too fast for the conditions. Either way, your fault, you're not paying attention and driving defensively.
Second, car turns left in front of you without signaling or pulls out in front of you, you hit them, you're still the idiot and need to examine your riding technique. No one turns left in front of me that I am not prepared for or pulls out a side street that i am not prepared for. Also since as you indicated ABS does not help you stop quicker, you still hit them and you are still not paying attention or riding too quickly for the conditions.
Third, you catch yourself going too quickly around a curve and need ABS to keep you upright, you're the idiot. Proper technique entering a corner is to be able to see through it at an appropriate speed. And since as you pointed out ABS doesn't stop you any quicker, you crash, you're still not paying attention.
Unfortunately every post in here where ABS saved the rider was because of rider error. ie; kept me from losing control when I went hard on the brakes to avoid hitting something I shouldn't be near, when road conditions were adverse and I was riding above my ability or when I just wasn't paying attention at all.
So now you tell me. If these riders aren't relying upon ABS to keep them alive and are riding within their skill levels yet constantly relying upon their ABS to save them, are they just stupid or not paying attention?
In fact slick, I hate to tell you this but.... ABS was designed to try and save the driver or rider or pilot who wasn't and isn't paying attention or riding or driving above their ability for conditions. It does not come on at any other time.
Good grief!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: ENGLAND
i like this ......its getting interesting now ,
how many of you guys who ride, had a bike only for many years before you had a car , or had a bike as your only mode of transport for many years ,?
if your a weekend rider , or just got into biking later on in life then you will ride differently to somebody who rides most of the time , if you stick to little used low traffic roads for your weekend cruising , you will ride less attentively than someone who rides a lot in a city ,
ABS is an aid for you people
if like me ,and loads of others , who spent all there early years cutting there teeth on motorbikes , and only passed there car test when family commitments made it a necessity in there mid 30,s , or who ride a lot in a major city in heavy traffic in whatever weather conditions day and night , then we will ride in a completely different manner , paying a hell of a lot more attention to other road users and the potential dangers that everyday riding will throw at us , ABS isn't an important purchase for us , it isn't rubbish & if it were free , you could put me down for 2 , but its not free , and i wouldn't pay extra for it , thats all ,
it will not stop that dozy bitch who is on her new bike with abs fitted, thinking she is safe now, fiddling with her fekking ipod would it ...
as a safe and experienced rider , i wouldn't be listening to music while riding either , its another one of your senses that may help keep you alive , that you have just taken away from yourself .
good luck to everyone that needs it , ride safe
how many of you guys who ride, had a bike only for many years before you had a car , or had a bike as your only mode of transport for many years ,?
if your a weekend rider , or just got into biking later on in life then you will ride differently to somebody who rides most of the time , if you stick to little used low traffic roads for your weekend cruising , you will ride less attentively than someone who rides a lot in a city ,
ABS is an aid for you people
if like me ,and loads of others , who spent all there early years cutting there teeth on motorbikes , and only passed there car test when family commitments made it a necessity in there mid 30,s , or who ride a lot in a major city in heavy traffic in whatever weather conditions day and night , then we will ride in a completely different manner , paying a hell of a lot more attention to other road users and the potential dangers that everyday riding will throw at us , ABS isn't an important purchase for us , it isn't rubbish & if it were free , you could put me down for 2 , but its not free , and i wouldn't pay extra for it , thats all ,
it will not stop that dozy bitch who is on her new bike with abs fitted, thinking she is safe now, fiddling with her fekking ipod would it ...
as a safe and experienced rider , i wouldn't be listening to music while riding either , its another one of your senses that may help keep you alive , that you have just taken away from yourself .
good luck to everyone that needs it , ride safe
Last edited by MADDOG187; Feb 24, 2012 at 04:17 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
This thread has good points on both sides of the equation. If you are willing to pay for it, and I was, ABS in my view is better to have than not to have. The OP's statement that he daily commutes in N. FL where it tends to have pop-up rain storms and would feel better with ABS makes sense to me. I agree that ABS is not the answer for not paying attention or overriding the road conditions at hand.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
If the deal is right ABS would not be a deal breaker for me. I'm glad I have it but if you can buy the bike for a good price then I would jump on it. I rode for years without ABS but as I age I need all the safety items I can get. I actually feel uncomfortable any more riding without a helmet and I ride in a no helmet state.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I have abs on my 11 Street glide and was not really interested in paying the extra for that option but with the power pack option it was part of it. So glad I got abs it has helped in a couple or very close calls and bike stops without skidding. My 08 Street glide was into a skid almost immediately if I stood on the brakes for a quick stop.
Like all the people that like them once you have them you will not want to ride without them. The people without abs have probably not been on a bike with abs to
enjoy the results or may not have ever had to stop very quickly
abs for life
Like all the people that like them once you have them you will not want to ride without them. The people without abs have probably not been on a bike with abs to
enjoy the results or may not have ever had to stop very quickly
abs for life
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
I've had it in a couple of cars and trucks and I don't like it.
It seems to me the only times it ever has activated it has increased the length required to stop. The only benefit I have experienced is it helps you stop in a fairly straight line.
I agree completey with stogieluvr regarding todays drivers being undertrained, underskilled and over confident. And somehow I just can't accept that to make them better drivers or riders they should be given saftey features that compensate for their lack of attention or skill.
Christ every time I'm on the highway during a winter storm it's always the 4wd's and SUV's that are lying on their roofs in the ditch because many of todays drivers believe the added traction 4wd offers somehow suspends the laws of physics... so you can't tell me ABS doesn't give the motorcylist who just got his/her license without any training or real life experience a false sense of his/her ability and security.
Again, just my .02 cents and I only respond as I am responded to.
)
It seems to me the only times it ever has activated it has increased the length required to stop. The only benefit I have experienced is it helps you stop in a fairly straight line.
I agree completey with stogieluvr regarding todays drivers being undertrained, underskilled and over confident. And somehow I just can't accept that to make them better drivers or riders they should be given saftey features that compensate for their lack of attention or skill.
Christ every time I'm on the highway during a winter storm it's always the 4wd's and SUV's that are lying on their roofs in the ditch because many of todays drivers believe the added traction 4wd offers somehow suspends the laws of physics... so you can't tell me ABS doesn't give the motorcylist who just got his/her license without any training or real life experience a false sense of his/her ability and security.
Again, just my .02 cents and I only respond as I am responded to.
)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 103
From: Massachusetts (NE)
Front Wheel ABS = 100% GREAT - best thing since ...
at highway speeds in an emergency stop it will be exactly what you need ... to have a chance ...
Rear Wheel ABS = useless - to me anyway, wish I could dis-arm ...
at highway speeds in an emergency stop it will be exactly what you need ... to have a chance ...
Rear Wheel ABS = useless - to me anyway, wish I could dis-arm ...
Well coming from non ABS (Bikes) to my new Blackline with ABS has made me really like the ABS option, as for power option at the time I purchased my Blackline they only had it with the 96. It didn't bother me much as an engine upgrade will be one of the things on my future performance list.
For now I am going with V&Hs, screaming stage 1, Screaming eagle breather and new Cams.
So ABS will always be a must have for me for any future bikes.
For now I am going with V&Hs, screaming stage 1, Screaming eagle breather and new Cams.
So ABS will always be a must have for me for any future bikes.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: St Clair Shores, MI
I didnt think It was a bid deal UNTIL my father and I where riding side by side and a deer ran out if front of us my bike stopped what felt like on a dime just had to use some muscle to keep bike upright while stopping my father in law locked it up and stopped about 20 feet after I did and we both started braking at the same time luckily the deer was in my part of the road or my father in law woulda been toast.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Mo
I don't have ABS and probably don't need em (no faster than I ride, could probably drag my feet to stop) but I do have .02 ... I'm guessing if HD's only market came from "expert riders" that had ridden for 25 yrs or more, (you know, the guys who think, that anyone that can't ride well enough not to need the brake assist). Well, that market would be so small, there probably wouldn't be anymore HD