ABS on a Ultra Classic
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 651
From: null
ABS on a Ultra Classic
I have an opportunity to add a Ultra Classic to the stable through a financing promotion at my local dealer. The bike I'm interested in however is not equipped with ABS. I have ABS on my Street Glide (first bagger) and on a previous Ducati ST4. I firmly believe ABS has saved my bacon a few times. The dealer's sales pitch is that they don't order Ultra Classic's in with ABS as an option because riders buying that type of bike don't want it. He went on to say that real riders not need it. Well I don't know if I'm a real rider yet as I've only be on the road for 40 plus years but I want to believe I have a pretty good handle on braking fundementals. I've found ABS to be valuable in panic stops or the wet & gravel as it does a much better job of preventing a lock up than I can.
So for those of you on the Electra Glide series (100 lbs heavier than my SG) what are your thoughts on the value of ABS?
Thanks
So for those of you on the Electra Glide series (100 lbs heavier than my SG) what are your thoughts on the value of ABS?
Thanks
Last edited by useR 564357348; Oct 19, 2012 at 09:27 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
From: Texas
You have more years of experience riding than I do but I will never buy another bike without ABS. The only significant crash I ever had I believe would have been prevented if the bike had ABS. I was a less experienced rider at the time but I'm not sure the result would be any different in that crash today on a non-ABS equipped bike It is an incredible safety/bike control feature. ABS increases my chances in many situations associated with bike control.
As far as the comment about real riders not needing ABS, a decent analogy for me is the game of pool. I have played most of my life and played most of those years with a standard cue shaft. Like a lot of good players years back, I didn't think I would benefit from a low deflection shaft. After all, I had been trained to move the cue ball around at will without help from technology.."what do I need that for?" I have since moved exclusively to lower deflection shafts and I am a much more consistent, better all around player today.
ABS is for me.
As far as the comment about real riders not needing ABS, a decent analogy for me is the game of pool. I have played most of my life and played most of those years with a standard cue shaft. Like a lot of good players years back, I didn't think I would benefit from a low deflection shaft. After all, I had been trained to move the cue ball around at will without help from technology.."what do I need that for?" I have since moved exclusively to lower deflection shafts and I am a much more consistent, better all around player today.
ABS is for me.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Central North Carolina
I will not own a bike without ABS. My opinion is that the dealer is handing you a bunch of bull$h!t. He's just trying to sell a bike he has in stock.
If/when the blue-hair in the Buick pulls out in front of you on a wet road, you'll be glad you have it.
If/when the blue-hair in the Buick pulls out in front of you on a wet road, you'll be glad you have it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Abs
ABS is a nice to have. If you've been riding 40+ years, you made it many years without ABS.
I like the extra security of ABS, but I think putting a car tire on the rear will serve you better than ABS will.
I bought a 08 street glide without ABS and after a short while I was wishing I had got ABS on it. Then I changed the POS OEM rear tire for an E3 and never even thought about ABS again.
Now I've got a Limited with a 205 car tire on the rear and I can't hardly engage the ABS. I had a teeny bopper girl pull out in front of me a couple of weeks ago. I stood up on the brake pedal and never engaged the ABS.
I like the extra security of ABS, but I think putting a car tire on the rear will serve you better than ABS will.
I bought a 08 street glide without ABS and after a short while I was wishing I had got ABS on it. Then I changed the POS OEM rear tire for an E3 and never even thought about ABS again.
Now I've got a Limited with a 205 car tire on the rear and I can't hardly engage the ABS. I had a teeny bopper girl pull out in front of me a couple of weeks ago. I stood up on the brake pedal and never engaged the ABS.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: N.E. Ohio
While ABS may not stop you sooner it should help keep you from skidding and maintain control of your bike, thus enabling you to maneuver (Hopefully) around or stop safely depending on the given situation.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 651
From: null
Thanks guys! You confirmed my view point on this issue. I told the dealer, no ABS, no deal. Now they are trying to push me up into the anniversary limited or this years CVO. Scarey part is I'm thinking about it.
