abs pros/cons
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 39
From: Land of the cold....
abs or Not???well I see alot people like ABS from warmer states!!!and notice the the no are from the colder\winter states....Abs in a car when we where kids was never heard of but we learned how to drive in the winter conditions with "stab braking" or tapping it just before it locks up and let off its how we drive in the winter....this video shows that clearly.....so I ask who really locks up there brakes in an emergency situation?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ_UkAFW6cA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ_UkAFW6cA
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
If what you are saying is true, then it will show in statistics over time. Those riders with more experience (skills) will have less of a disparity in accident rates between ABS and non ABS bikes. But I've yet to see any figures that suggest that.
Part of my job is to analyze failure rates. I rely on facts to make my case. Sometimes I have a gut feeling on which way a trend will go, based on experience, but at the end of the day I still rely on the numbers. And even a casual observer would have to admit that 37% is HUGE.
Also note that motorcycle cops are some of the best riders out there, and almost all of them ride ABS bikes.
Part of my job is to analyze failure rates. I rely on facts to make my case. Sometimes I have a gut feeling on which way a trend will go, based on experience, but at the end of the day I still rely on the numbers. And even a casual observer would have to admit that 37% is HUGE.
Also note that motorcycle cops are some of the best riders out there, and almost all of them ride ABS bikes.
Again, I agree ABS is a benefit for the general riding public, but data such as that in the referenced study, even though absolutely true and accurate, can be misleading if you fail to analyze it thoroughly.
I'm sure some of the riders involved in the crash statistics possessed above average skills, some were near average, others were below average. But there is no way to measure that. Additionally, how do you measure the conditions that led to the crash? Was braking even a factor?
I think there's a little more to the story than to simply say that you are 37% less likely to die in an accident if your bike is equipped with ABS.
Last edited by 2black1s; Apr 22, 2012 at 08:54 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
abs or Not???well I see alot people like ABS from warmer states!!!and notice the the no are from the colder\winter states....Abs in a car when we where kids was never heard of but we learned how to drive in the winter conditions with "stab braking" or tapping it just before it locks up and let off its how we drive in the winter....
Ohh, by the way I have ABS disabled in all my vehicles. If I want to do a power-slide, I can. (can you tell I'm not an ABS fan)
Last edited by oppirs; Apr 22, 2012 at 07:31 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
A lot of people seem to assume skill levels of us replying. And.just because you didn't do something right don't mean one of us will repeat your accident.
My cousin is in the hospital right now. 60' skidmark they say he was doing 47. Who knows. One thing that's true. He didn't use his front brake. ABS or not. If ya don't know how to brake in an emergency your screwed. But I know one thing I do. I slow up coming over a blind hill. Learned that on my dirtbike in the mountains. Ya never know when a cliff is on the other side. Just like ya never know if traffic is stopped.
My cousin by the way has a broken back and a shattered tib and fib. Bike totaled.
My cousin is in the hospital right now. 60' skidmark they say he was doing 47. Who knows. One thing that's true. He didn't use his front brake. ABS or not. If ya don't know how to brake in an emergency your screwed. But I know one thing I do. I slow up coming over a blind hill. Learned that on my dirtbike in the mountains. Ya never know when a cliff is on the other side. Just like ya never know if traffic is stopped.
My cousin by the way has a broken back and a shattered tib and fib. Bike totaled.
Last edited by RFG7680; Apr 22, 2012 at 01:14 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Central North Carolina
One other thing....notice that I said "based on lots of practice". How many, even "experienced" riders have practiced full panic stops from 35, 45, 55 & 65 mph? The significant number of riders on the road have never had to do such a stop and if they have, many have the scars show for it. Being able to keep a cool head and modulate the brakes properly to prevent lockup....and....having perfect conditions to brake in is a luxury that the vast majority of us just won't have.
Me....I want ABS brakes and I will never own another bike without them.
Funny how the greatest formula one drivers in the world can't get close to matching the ability of abs. But there are riders on this forum who can pulse their brakes faster than the computer on their bikes. Hmmmm
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
course there would be no way to actually measure that number, but given the number of threads from folks that say 'came around a corner and.....'
i can't help but think that some of these folks were the same as those who say they can stop better without abs (who have coincidentally changed their minds and won't get another bike without it)
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
The good thing is, we all still have the choice regardless of individual opinions but it wouldn't surprise me if pressure from insurance companies put the lawmakers into motion before long. They didn't offer me one but I hear that discounts are now being given on insurance premiums for ABS equipped bikes. Anyone getting a discount?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
Forget the "37%" stuff. Everyone knows that 97% of statistics are made up on the spot. This is actually true only 57% of the time, while it's false 68% of the time. Now, this does not take into account that 49% of those participating in the studies are actually lying 72% of the time. I am 93.7% positive about this 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Some good points made here but...omitting the 37% from the equation and just saying "less likely to die in an accident if your bike is equipped with ABS" is still saying a lot. Obviously numbers are fudged to suit ones own agenda and I see this as being no different.
The good thing is, we all still have the choice regardless of individual opinions but it wouldn't surprise me if pressure from insurance companies put the lawmakers into motion before long. They didn't offer me one but I hear that discounts are now being given on insurance premiums for ABS equipped bikes. Anyone getting a discount?
The good thing is, we all still have the choice regardless of individual opinions but it wouldn't surprise me if pressure from insurance companies put the lawmakers into motion before long. They didn't offer me one but I hear that discounts are now being given on insurance premiums for ABS equipped bikes. Anyone getting a discount?