abs pros/cons
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Papillion, NE
Hmm...bought a used 09 Ultra...and frankly don't like the ABS. I am sure if they worked better they would be a great addition, but as noted in the above post about calibration, mine release the braking many times in good traction situations when it seems there is no reason they should. Going over a bump or even a rise where it takes some weight off the rear and it kicks in. What is even way more irritating to me is when it kicks in while you are coming to a stop and down shift. It will 'release" my manual braking for what seems like s second or so in a high traction scenario for no reason at all. It is not a "fast' system. Have ABS on all my cars...kicks in and releases what feels like a hundred times a second...the HD system feels like it kicks in and releases what feels like 1 time every few seconds.
No warranty...but I am guessing my frustration lies with the calibration...so it looks like I'll be paying to hopefully tighten things up...
Many thanks,
Steve O!
No warranty...but I am guessing my frustration lies with the calibration...so it looks like I'll be paying to hopefully tighten things up...
Many thanks,
Steve O!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
ABS saved my friends life. We came upon a huge deer leaping across the freeway and he slammed his brakes so hard his tight fitting full face Shoei rolled forward and just about covered his eyes.......that's how hard he slowed. Every bike should come standard with them IMHO.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Hmm...bought a used 09 Ultra...and frankly don't like the ABS. I am sure if they worked better they would be a great addition, but as noted in the above post about calibration, mine release the braking many times in good traction situations when it seems there is no reason they should. Going over a bump or even a rise where it takes some weight off the rear and it kicks in. What is even way more irritating to me is when it kicks in while you are coming to a stop and down shift. It will 'release" my manual braking for what seems like s second or so in a high traction scenario for no reason at all. It is not a "fast' system. Have ABS on all my cars...kicks in and releases what feels like a hundred times a second...the HD system feels like it kicks in and releases what feels like 1 time every few seconds.
No warranty...but I am guessing my frustration lies with the calibration...so it looks like I'll be paying to hopefully tighten things up...
Many thanks,
Steve O!
No warranty...but I am guessing my frustration lies with the calibration...so it looks like I'll be paying to hopefully tighten things up...
Many thanks,
Steve O!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From:
The wikipedia article for ABS describes the first systems on WWII era airplanes, and interestingly, attributes a 30% improvement in braking distance to the fact that pilots were comfortable just jamming hard on the brakes (and letting the system prevent lockup) instead of treating them more gingerly.
I think this is a reasonable point to consider. Especially on bikes with those sweet dual front brembo's, 'cause man do they bite hard when asked to. I grabbed one monster handful of the front and let the ABS do my dirty work. Good lord my necks an inch longer than it used to be. Without ABS I could not have *safely* applied that much brake, that rapidly, but rather would have had to ramp up. And at 70-90mph, I don't like taking a chance getting that close to front wheel lockup!
Plus, I've never used my rear brake for hard or panic stops (well, not never, but I learned!). Now it makes good sense to go ahead and stomp on the rear too and let the computer get everything it can (if anything) from that wheel.
I think the HD ABS video is very reasonable when they show the spread of about 30 panic stops with and without abs on the same bike. Without, there are some shorter stops, true. But many longer stops, and a much wider spread. The ABS grouping was tight, consistent, and quite near the shortest distance. The system works.
I'm glad to have abs on my bike.
I think this is a reasonable point to consider. Especially on bikes with those sweet dual front brembo's, 'cause man do they bite hard when asked to. I grabbed one monster handful of the front and let the ABS do my dirty work. Good lord my necks an inch longer than it used to be. Without ABS I could not have *safely* applied that much brake, that rapidly, but rather would have had to ramp up. And at 70-90mph, I don't like taking a chance getting that close to front wheel lockup!
Plus, I've never used my rear brake for hard or panic stops (well, not never, but I learned!). Now it makes good sense to go ahead and stomp on the rear too and let the computer get everything it can (if anything) from that wheel.
I think the HD ABS video is very reasonable when they show the spread of about 30 panic stops with and without abs on the same bike. Without, there are some shorter stops, true. But many longer stops, and a much wider spread. The ABS grouping was tight, consistent, and quite near the shortest distance. The system works.
I'm glad to have abs on my bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
Me too! Great post by the way! Only thing I would add is, depending on the situation, having the ability to steer the bike clear of a collision while hard braking, instead of sliding into harms way uncontrolably could possibly make a life saving difference.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: kentucky
My 08 SG is the first bike ive ever had with ABS. I will never own another without it. Ive had to get on my brakes pretty hard on a few occasions and never once has it given me the sensation that its about to come out from under me. Great option. IMO of course.
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Reality is that ABS will get you in trouble if you are unable to ride around their flaws.
Yes, when an emergency braking situation (such as a deer jumping in front of you) occurs at high speed, on the wet, when leaning, on slippery surface, etc., it might save you.
But in certain situations, it will create problems. As an example, if you are riding on a less than perfect surface, some ABS systems will release the brakes (thus extending your braking distance) each time you hit a small bump. This, even if you are in a high grip/adherence situation.
If you don't know this and that you expect the ABS system to cope for your lack of experience/skills, you might find yourself kissing the vehicle ahead of you.
I then believe that choosing whether or not to buy an ABS equipped bike should be based on your evaluation of which situation has the most probability to occur.
If you do a lot of open-road riding where high-speed emergency braking might be required, ABS might be useful. If you ride a lot in the city with cracks, bumps, holes, railroad crossings, etc. you might find your ABS quite the annoyance. But again, if you know your ABS limitations and find yourself in these circumstances, you should ride accordingly and keep more distance between you and the preceding vehicles, ride slower, etc. Just my 2 cents.
Yes, when an emergency braking situation (such as a deer jumping in front of you) occurs at high speed, on the wet, when leaning, on slippery surface, etc., it might save you.
But in certain situations, it will create problems. As an example, if you are riding on a less than perfect surface, some ABS systems will release the brakes (thus extending your braking distance) each time you hit a small bump. This, even if you are in a high grip/adherence situation.
If you don't know this and that you expect the ABS system to cope for your lack of experience/skills, you might find yourself kissing the vehicle ahead of you.
I then believe that choosing whether or not to buy an ABS equipped bike should be based on your evaluation of which situation has the most probability to occur.
If you do a lot of open-road riding where high-speed emergency braking might be required, ABS might be useful. If you ride a lot in the city with cracks, bumps, holes, railroad crossings, etc. you might find your ABS quite the annoyance. But again, if you know your ABS limitations and find yourself in these circumstances, you should ride accordingly and keep more distance between you and the preceding vehicles, ride slower, etc. Just my 2 cents.
Last edited by Twinner; Jun 22, 2012 at 10:09 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 761
Likes: 9
From: lewisville, nc
You actually can if you practice. That is the point I'm trying to make. The majority of accident cases i investigate, is that the rider relied on the ABS and only used his rear brake. take your bike into a parking lot. have someone blow a whistle or what ever to signal you to a sudden stop. use only your rear brake and you will see what I mean. then do the same exercise and apply both brakes properly, you will see the difference without going into abs.