New Vmax has ABS brakes!

[atadaskew]

Taken from the Yam site:

"VMAX uses Brembo®-designed master cylinders, the front with radial pump and reserve tank. Large 320mm wave-style dual front discs are matched to radial-mounted mono block 6-piston calipers. On the rear wheel, there’s a 298mm disc, also wave design, and single-piston caliper. These high-tech brakes also incorporate three-position ABS."

[atadaskew]

Hard luggage too!

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelscitemdetail/5/23/111/462/2009/1/7736/0/0/detail.aspx

[Uwe]

Why is anyone surprised that it has ABS?   It's a totally re-designed high-end bike and ABS systems for bikes have finally gotten to the point where the cost is reasonable.   On some bikes where they're optional, they're down to $500 retail, meaning they cost the manufacturer half that or less.    I don't think it will be very long until the majority of bikes have it standard, or at least offer it as an option at a reasonable price.    ABS was exotic on cars once too.   I don't think you can find a car without it these days.

For most riders ABS is a definite safety advantage.   I've had two spills in my life.  I call both of them spills rather than crashes because I rode home from both of them with only minor damage to the bike and nothing but some bruises to myself.      I'm confident neither would have happened with if I had been on a bike with ABS.    These were quite a few years ago, before ABS for bikes existed at all.   Now, I won't buy a bike without it.

-Uwe-

[kevin_stevens]

What's "three-position" ABS?  On/off/linked?

KeS

[Uwe]

It's likely similar to (if not the same as) the 3-state ABS system introduced on the 2008 FJR.   The previous system operated in either pressurized unpressurized state,  the new 3-mode system adds a new pressure-holding state.     This supposedly enhances feel at the lever and pedal when the ABS is activated.  

-Uwe-

[kevin_stevens]

Thanks, I guess.  

But from a purely operational perspective, it is unlinked ABS without an on/off switch?

KeS

[FJRmgm]

and.....they threw in the Ugly at no extra charge!!!

America - what a country...

[nanbil]

 

[Baz]

and.....they threw in the Ugly at no extra charge!!!

America - what a country...

  You guys are the king of ugly! But wait, isn't the V-Max Japanese?

[Phenix_Rider]

Why is ABS such a big deal?  Seems like you'd get yourself in even more trouble with it than without.  For example: Instead of using maximum braking (and coming to the edge of lockup) into a corner, the ABS kicks in and stutters the wheels, causing a highside.  Definitely worse than the low side that would happen if you just locked a wheel and slid.

I've seen plenty of reviews and tests where traction control and ABS actually slowed down good-to-pro drivers, but helped poor-to-mediocre drivers.  Standard brakes and drivetrain were faster and smoother when used properly.  

I hope it doesn't become standard on all bikes- large cruisers/tourers maybe.  An option, fine, but I really don't like it in a cage, I certainly don't want it on my bike.  

[Snowbird]

Hard luggage too!

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelscitemdetail/5/23/111/462/2009/1/7736/0/0/detail.aspx

Cheap. $590 with mounts. But butt ugly.

[Snowbird]

Why is ABS such a big deal?  Seems like you'd get yourself in even more trouble with it than without.  For example: Instead of using maximum braking (and coming to the edge of lockup) into a corner, the ABS kicks in and stutters the wheels, causing a highside.  Definitely worse than the low side that would happen if you just locked a wheel and slid.

I've seen plenty of reviews and tests where traction control and ABS actually slowed down good-to-pro drivers, but helped poor-to-mediocre drivers.  Standard brakes and drivetrain were faster and smoother when used properly.  

I hope it doesn't become standard on all bikes- large cruisers/tourers maybe.  An option, fine, but I really don't like it in a cage, I certainly don't want it on my bike.  

Careful, the ABS Nazis will attack.  

[kevin_stevens]

Why is ABS such a big deal?  Seems like you'd get yourself in even more trouble with it than without.  For example: Instead of using maximum braking (and coming to the edge of lockup) into a corner, the ABS kicks in and stutters the wheels, causing a highside.  Definitely worse than the low side that would happen if you just locked a wheel and slid.

I've seen plenty of reviews and tests where traction control and ABS actually slowed down good-to-pro drivers, but helped poor-to-mediocre drivers.  Standard brakes and drivetrain were faster and smoother when used properly.  

I hope it doesn't become standard on all bikes- large cruisers/tourers maybe.  An option, fine, but I really don't like it in a cage, I certainly don't want it on my bike.  

A)  You should probably start another hideous ABS general thread instead of hijacking the V-MAX specific ABS thread.
B)  If you're on the edge of lockup into a corner, you have other problems.  Regardless,
C)  If you're ON the edge of lockup (not over), ABS won't have activated and the bike will respond just as a non-ABS bike.
D)  And, it's very questionable that a cycle rate as fast as ABS provides would induce a highside in any case.

I've actually posed the opposite question - why isn't rear-wheel-only ABS STANDARD on sportbikes to alleviate rear lockup/highside issues?  Everyone oohs and ahs about slipper clutches while denigrating ABS, when they serve EXACTLY the same function - reducing rear-wheel lockup in the event of rider error or varying road conditions.

KeS

[veefer800canuck]

Didn't Yamaha read this thread first????

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,593.0.html

[Snowbird]

I've actually posed the opposite question - why isn't rear-wheel-only ABS STANDARD on sportbikes to alleviate rear lockup/highside issues?  Everyone oohs and ahs about slipper clutches while denigrating ABS, when they serve EXACTLY the same function - reducing rear-wheel lockup in the event of rider error or varying road conditions.

KeS

Here's why:
Snowbird:

ABS on the rear brake would be a good thing for most riders most of the time.

SteelD registers just so he can reply:

A rear wheel lock up is far more controllable than a front - good to have ABS on both wheels for most riders most of the time.

So you see, Kevin, while your proposition seems reasonable....  

[st ryder]

  You guys are the king of ugly! But wait, isn't the V-Max Japanese?

Yes it is, BUT, the original 1985 V-max was designed specifically for the American market. IIRC, there was also a lot of input from designers in California. James Parker comes to mind for some reason, but I could be off on that.