Question about ABS
Question about ABS
I have a question about ABS on my 2012 Limited. Can the ABS go out on the front brakes while they still function properly on the rear? I ask this because as I was driving along and and the light was about to change on me I hit the brakes and felt the typical effect pulse on the rear and not the front. I then proceeded to test the front brake only, at a fairly good speed, and squeezed hard but no pulse effect and quite a bit of front end dive.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the rear wheel skids "first and easiest"- and as you brake, the weight shifts forward ( I'm sure you know this)...unloading the rear tire, making it easier for the tire to "skid" which would have the ABS start pumping.
in the front as the weight shifts forward the traction increases and the tire will continue to roll- the abs comes on when the bike is moving but the wheel is not ( which is a skid).
so I am guessing you didn't get into a situation which would activate the abs.
a good test is hammering both brakes on a clear piece of open road at 40 MPH--- you should feel it working front and rear- and then release, you will have enough momentum ( speed) to make for an easy recovery, with out loosing balance.
of course it is possible the front abs is not working at all ( sensor/wiring failure) but that should light the ABS icon
mike
in the front as the weight shifts forward the traction increases and the tire will continue to roll- the abs comes on when the bike is moving but the wheel is not ( which is a skid).
so I am guessing you didn't get into a situation which would activate the abs.
a good test is hammering both brakes on a clear piece of open road at 40 MPH--- you should feel it working front and rear- and then release, you will have enough momentum ( speed) to make for an easy recovery, with out loosing balance.
of course it is possible the front abs is not working at all ( sensor/wiring failure) but that should light the ABS icon
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jun 23, 2012 at 01:55 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
MK is spot on,
The back does trigger much easier than the front. In addition to the mechanics reasons MK so correctly explains, I also believe one is prone to being less sensitive on bike brakes due to the foot being used and the more complex mechanical lever / advantage
The back does trigger much easier than the front. In addition to the mechanics reasons MK so correctly explains, I also believe one is prone to being less sensitive on bike brakes due to the foot being used and the more complex mechanical lever / advantage
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I have an 09 Ultra and the original factory setup allowed the front and rear ABS to kick in pretty easy. I tested the brakes shortly after buying the bike and found the front ABS was easy to engage and the rear even easier.
HD later improved the threshold for ABS and I got the update. I tested the brakes again and found that it took more input on the lever/pedal to engage the ABS. On the front brake I had to almost yank the lever to get the ABS to kick in. I'm much happier with the brakes now.
HD later improved the threshold for ABS and I got the update. I tested the brakes again and found that it took more input on the lever/pedal to engage the ABS. On the front brake I had to almost yank the lever to get the ABS to kick in. I'm much happier with the brakes now.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
He usually is!
I reckon your experience indicates that Harley has got a handle on its ABS at long last. Early bikes had an awful set-up that frankly couldn't be trusted, while yours sounds just fine.
Getting the front ABS to kick in while braking on a good surface is always going to be difficult. If you can bring yourself to trying it, find a dodgy surface, like a greasy truck park, or somewhere with a loose topping, where grip is bound to be poor.
I reckon your experience indicates that Harley has got a handle on its ABS at long last. Early bikes had an awful set-up that frankly couldn't be trusted, while yours sounds just fine.
Getting the front ABS to kick in while braking on a good surface is always going to be difficult. If you can bring yourself to trying it, find a dodgy surface, like a greasy truck park, or somewhere with a loose topping, where grip is bound to be poor.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Florida
It's a 2012. Then why not have a qualified H-D facility check the entire system out under warranty?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bagged Out
2014-2024 Touring Models
90
Aug 8, 2022 10:15 AM