Disabling ABS
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Waco
In my case, yes. Happened to me twice, that's all I could stand. There are intersections that develop wash board bumps in the surface approaching the intersections. With light brake pressure applied for a gentle stop in mid summer, the tires would jump off the bump and stop rotating while in the air, by the time the tire touched the pavement again, the brakes had been released by the ABS, once the tire was rotating again, it would "jump" off the next bump and stop again, the ABS would again release the brake, and so on. Result, NO BRAKES on a sunny, clear summer afternoon because the ABS can't "read" the pavement. I pulled the fuse and have been a happy camper ever since with brakes just like the ones I grew up with. Until ABS becomes "smart" enough to tell the difference between a skid and a tire temporarily off the pavement from a bump, I've got no use for it.
Once a rider knows he can clamp down on the brakes with all of his adrenaline boosted strength and the ABS will give him a controlled stop, if it ever fails and he is startled, his automatic reaction means he's going down because his ABS trained response will now be the wrong way to do it.
Once a rider knows he can clamp down on the brakes with all of his adrenaline boosted strength and the ABS will give him a controlled stop, if it ever fails and he is startled, his automatic reaction means he's going down because his ABS trained response will now be the wrong way to do it.
I know this is an old thread but ABS ruined my ride this Weekend. We rode through the Mountains and I could not stop smooth even once. I was riding two up with gear and rolling to a Red Light my Bike would buck like a Bull, then slam to a stop. This was dangerous because the cars behind me almost hit me. I put up with this for two days. If I can't disable this ABS, I am going to take my Wife's advice and get rid of the bike. I now do not trust this ABS at all. Been riding for over 30 years without ABS and I consider it a good solution to a nonexistent problem.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
I know this is an old thread but ABS ruined my ride this Weekend. We rode through the Mountains and I could not stop smooth even once. I was riding two up with gear and rolling to a Red Light my Bike would buck like a Bull, then slam to a stop. This was dangerous because the cars behind me almost hit me. I put up with this for two days. If I can't disable this ABS, I am going to take my Wife's advice and get rid of the bike. I now do not trust this ABS at all. Been riding for over 30 years without ABS and I consider it a good solution to a nonexistent problem.
1) Your bike is ****ed up
2) 30 years of riding hasn't taught you ****
3) your just throwing gas on the fire
So which is it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 64
From: West Liberty, Ohio
I love the abs in my truck...in the winter on ice. the same as I want it on a bike. I wanted orange so I had to get it, I hope it really does lower insurance and add to resale because I really need it least of all on the slowest worst performing bike I've ever owned.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
I must be missing something important. I thought the whole purpose of ABS was to prevent tires from skidding on surfaces without enough traction - pea gravel, ice, loose sand, etc. If the ABS system senses a wheel has or is about to stop rotating, it releases the brake in pulses enough so the wheel keep rotating. Seems like dirt roads would be the classic situation where ABS would help prevent problems. Am I wrong?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
I know this is an old thread but ABS ruined my ride this Weekend. We rode through the Mountains and I could not stop smooth even once. I was riding two up with gear and rolling to a Red Light my Bike would buck like a Bull, then slam to a stop. This was dangerous because the cars behind me almost hit me. I put up with this for two days. If I can't disable this ABS, I am going to take my Wife's advice and get rid of the bike. I now do not trust this ABS at all. Been riding for over 30 years without ABS and I consider it a good solution to a nonexistent problem.
The ABS is invisible except the ONE time I needed to panic stop when a moron pulled out in front of me. I grabbed both brakes and the bike just stopped.
That one experience made me an ABS believer.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
Old post or not, its still a valid argument, no matter what side of the issue you are on.
To me, a bike with ABS is like having two brains aboard controlling the stopping. The ABS has a limited number of inputs and parameters automatically activating the system. That is the limit of its ability. It is great for those "Oh ****" moments when a surprise occurs and being only human, you couldn't possible stop as quickly or prevent wheel lock-up.
The problem with the system (for me) is when it activates when coming to a stop on a bumpy surface and you end up unexpectedly much further into an intersection then planned because of a "no brakes" situation.
Obviously, its a double edged sword argument with both sides having valid points. Coming from a background of riding in the dirt and relying on my learned skills, ABS has been a detriment more often than a help...but there was that one time, it could have been "lights out" if not for the ABS activating during an emergency stop, where I was able to slow down and steer clear of an imminent collision, when a car blew the red light and missed me by inches.
That one incident made it worthwhile to me to leave the system intact but at the same time, I know where the opponents of ABS are coming from.
ABS is something that should be considered carefully before buying a motorcycle. It is illegal to alter or disable ABS in many jurisdictions, so check into your state/local laws, which will trump any opinions expressed here. Last thing you want, is to be the "defendant" on the wrong side of a legal issue.
To me, a bike with ABS is like having two brains aboard controlling the stopping. The ABS has a limited number of inputs and parameters automatically activating the system. That is the limit of its ability. It is great for those "Oh ****" moments when a surprise occurs and being only human, you couldn't possible stop as quickly or prevent wheel lock-up.
The problem with the system (for me) is when it activates when coming to a stop on a bumpy surface and you end up unexpectedly much further into an intersection then planned because of a "no brakes" situation.
Obviously, its a double edged sword argument with both sides having valid points. Coming from a background of riding in the dirt and relying on my learned skills, ABS has been a detriment more often than a help...but there was that one time, it could have been "lights out" if not for the ABS activating during an emergency stop, where I was able to slow down and steer clear of an imminent collision, when a car blew the red light and missed me by inches.
That one incident made it worthwhile to me to leave the system intact but at the same time, I know where the opponents of ABS are coming from.
ABS is something that should be considered carefully before buying a motorcycle. It is illegal to alter or disable ABS in many jurisdictions, so check into your state/local laws, which will trump any opinions expressed here. Last thing you want, is to be the "defendant" on the wrong side of a legal issue.
Last edited by Recycled; Jul 6, 2014 at 04:29 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 270
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Uhhhhh.... Just get the ABS fixed. It should only pulse. It should never release. If it releases, It should disable it's self. When you see the ABS light flashing - Guess What. It's broke.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
I am not a fan of ABS being a long time road racer it takes away my control. It has also gotten me into trouble on a couple of occasions. Riding down a steep winding pass in VT. last year I hit a bump in a turn and the ABS released my front brake sending me into the oncoming traffic lane! I can see the advantages in wet or sandy conditions but as an agressive rider it scares me more than helps me.
My question is, if I pull the fuse for the abs will it disable it? And if so, is there any reason that I can't put a switch in line to disable it on command?
Hope someone can help! Thanks, Scott
My question is, if I pull the fuse for the abs will it disable it? And if so, is there any reason that I can't put a switch in line to disable it on command?
Hope someone can help! Thanks, Scott
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Waco
Recycled my Bike is almost just like yours. It is a 2008 Police Road King. It has had a lot of work done to it though. Seat replaced, Latches replaced, inges replaced, Bars replaced, ect. This weekend I was two up with a lot of weight. I am a heavy front Brake user when coming to a stop at Red lights. At slow speeds the Front Brake would release while pulsing then apply again very heavy over and over. It did not help that my Wife hit me in the Back of the Head with her Helmet every time. I have had this bike right at a year and it is still in Warranty. I bought an extended Warranty when I bought it. I know there is something wrong with it because this happened suddenly. After it started doing it, it continued every stop. The Bike was stopping just fine before. I am not against ABS but I never figured that if it failed, it would create an unsafe situation. Funny thing is that I unplugged the Wheel sensors from the Module and it is giving me no error messages. It is still giving problems but it is just pulsing instead of releasing completely.
LA VIC you might watch what you say in print you never know who you are talking to.
Doc where is this fuse is it labeled. I made it home. Now I need to fix it.
Pulled the Fuse and all is well.
LA VIC you might watch what you say in print you never know who you are talking to.
Pulled the Fuse and all is well.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Mar 26, 2017 at 10:35 AM.