Disabling ABS
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
I have the ABS manual for 2007 but it is a whole different system for 2008. If you still have warranty and you can't resolve these problems easily yourself, I'd bring it in to find the problem. Good luck with it!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: Missouri
I can see both sides. I have driven several vehicles with ABS. Had a service truck with what I am sure were antistop brakes. My 2009 road king is very sensitive of washboard road conditions in way less than a panic stop. I ask local dealerabout the update for 2009. They did not seem to know what I was talking about. I have a printout of the bulletin for next time I ask. Panic stops are where ABS brakes are praised by most riders. Most people would agree that there are times they have felt the ABS while they were in full controll of thier ride.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Waco
Your 2008 is quite a bit different than my 2007. 2008 was a transition year when many changes were made. First year for 6 gallon tank, different seat T-bars and mounting on the police solo seats and an updated ABS system along with Brembo calipers, etc. My '07 has the older ABS where the control module takes up half the right side bag, has the smaller 5 gallon tank, flip up solo seat, old style calipers, etc.
I have the ABS manual for 2007 but it is a whole different system for 2008. If you still have warranty and you can't resolve these problems easily yourself, I'd bring it in to find the problem. Good luck with it!
I have the ABS manual for 2007 but it is a whole different system for 2008. If you still have warranty and you can't resolve these problems easily yourself, I'd bring it in to find the problem. Good luck with it!
Stage I
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Maine
I realize this is an old thread but nevertheless, the ABS is disabled on my car,didn't cause issues at inspection time or with insurance,I'm looking at a new bike which I will have the abs disabled upon purchase, abs is not an absolute no matter what govt or anyone else says,I've ridden non abs bikes all my life without a problem, and I clearly remember moments where I'd have ended up in traction if I had abs because of the delayed stopping time incurred by abs. Riders that require electronic aids to ride safely shouldn't be on a bike,I try to stay away from these tech dependent riders.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Waco
I realize this is an old thread but nevertheless, the ABS is disabled on my car,didn't cause issues at inspection time or with insurance,I'm looking at a new bike which I will have the abs disabled upon purchase, abs is not an absolute no matter what govt or anyone else says,I've ridden non abs bikes all my life without a problem, and I clearly remember moments where I'd have ended up in traction if I had abs because of the delayed stopping time incurred by abs. Riders that require electronic aids to ride safely shouldn't be on a bike,I try to stay away from these tech dependent riders.
Last edited by daddyflea; Feb 12, 2016 at 07:35 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,876
From: Oklahoma
Sportbikeguy:
See if you can find any info on late model ABS units causing hydraulic lock. The pedal or lever won't move, the fluid is trapped between the master cylinder and the ABS unit, no pressure is passed to the caliper. So far this malfunction has NOT been reported to have happened to both brakes at the same time but if you really need two at a given time, one won't do. These malfunctions happened to people who left the ABS operational so I have no idea if starting out with it disabled will prevent this malfunction. Until the factory redesigns the ABS unit so this hydraulic lock malfunction is no longer possible, I regard ABS as a snake just waiting to bite everyone who has it.
See if you can find any info on late model ABS units causing hydraulic lock. The pedal or lever won't move, the fluid is trapped between the master cylinder and the ABS unit, no pressure is passed to the caliper. So far this malfunction has NOT been reported to have happened to both brakes at the same time but if you really need two at a given time, one won't do. These malfunctions happened to people who left the ABS operational so I have no idea if starting out with it disabled will prevent this malfunction. Until the factory redesigns the ABS unit so this hydraulic lock malfunction is no longer possible, I regard ABS as a snake just waiting to bite everyone who has it.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 19
From: Indiana
He's right!
Last edited by ricktherocket; Feb 12, 2016 at 09:32 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 59
From: SW Burbs of Chicago
Sportbikeguy:
See if you can find any info on late model ABS units causing hydraulic lock. The pedal or lever won't move, the fluid is trapped between the master cylinder and the ABS unit, no pressure is passed to the caliper. So far this malfunction has NOT been reported to have happened to both brakes at the same time but if you really need two at a given time, one won't do. These malfunctions happened to people who left the ABS operational so I have no idea if starting out with it disabled will prevent this malfunction. Until the factory redesigns the ABS unit so this hydraulic lock malfunction is no longer possible, I regard ABS as a snake just waiting to bite everyone who has it.
See if you can find any info on late model ABS units causing hydraulic lock. The pedal or lever won't move, the fluid is trapped between the master cylinder and the ABS unit, no pressure is passed to the caliper. So far this malfunction has NOT been reported to have happened to both brakes at the same time but if you really need two at a given time, one won't do. These malfunctions happened to people who left the ABS operational so I have no idea if starting out with it disabled will prevent this malfunction. Until the factory redesigns the ABS unit so this hydraulic lock malfunction is no longer possible, I regard ABS as a snake just waiting to bite everyone who has it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,876
From: Oklahoma
I see this comment about the Harley mechanics frequently. Perhaps they need to spend more time in the forums. I see four or five of these "pedal or lever won't move, what's going on" threads per year in several forums. Report yours to NHTSA. This unit severely needs a redesign.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 59
From: SW Burbs of Chicago
I see this comment about the Harley mechanics frequently. Perhaps they need to spend more time in the forums. I see four or five of these "pedal or lever won't move, what's going on" threads per year in several forums. Report yours to NHTSA. This unit severely needs a redesign.