ABS Really Works

[bikerstarfjr08]

Was riding yesterday with a friend on U.S. 1 in South Daytona, FL. We are in the left lane (next to the median) and had begun to switch lanes to the right. My friend is riding a Honda 750 Shadow, I am riding a 2008 FJR. She signals to make a right turn into the lane and I do the same. I am about 25 feet behind her and we are travelling about 35 miles per hour. We both take a quick look back to be sure no cars are close and then the shit hits the fan. The cars in front of us slam on the brakes because (we are told this later) an idiot in a pickup truck makes a lane change with no warning then slams on his brakes to avoid a car stopping for the changing red light. My friend pulls and stomps on all the brakes she has and the ass end goes out from under her and she goes down and is pinned under the bike for about 30 feet. This all happens right in front of me - I hit the brakes and the ABS on the FJR do their thing and bring me to a very controlled and short stop. No slipping or sliding, just a smooth quick controlled stop. My friend just got out of surgery for a severely broken left wrist and multiple contusions. Her helmet did its job and has the crack to prove it. Long live ABS the damn thing works well.

[Castaway]

Whew! I'm glad you made it out okay, and sorry to hear about your friend.

[UHOH]

my next bike will have ABS

[county]

Probably need to notify the manufacturers.

[Snowbird]

They say rider training really works, too.  

Nice little self-affirming anecdote, though.

[hobbes]

They say rider training really works, too.  

Nice little self-affirming anecdote, though.

Almost made it halfway through the first page before the asshole shows.

Hope your friend heals quick.

[Snafu]

A speedy recovery to your friend.

ABS on my bike has saved me at least once and that alone was worth the extra $ for it.

[coho]

+1000 for ABS.

[glory racing]

It has been a couple weeks since I have been able to say it:  all bikes should have ABS.  And for those that have been through extensive training, feel really confident and are pro-like...they can get the new Multistrata which allows the abs to be turned off.

Hope your friend recovers quickly and returns to riding.

[Baz]

The one and only time ABS helped me was the time skill would not have helped me, as I had no idea I was braking on roadside sand in early spring. I was too busy watching the car that cut me off.

Hope your friend gets back in the saddle soon!

[KenH]

I hope your friend heals quickly and completely.

If I ever buy another big road bike I'll probably get ABS. Brakes these days work so well it is very easy to squeeze a bit hard.

[Justin]

They say rider training really works, too.  

Nice little self-affirming anecdote, though.

I think it was more ABS affirming than self-affirming. The only time I have "tried" an ABS bike is when test riding some beamers. Holy shit the ABS sure stops quick.

[cruisin]

Almost made it halfway through the first page before the asshole shows.

Hope your friend heals quick.

oh how soon ye all forget; so let's review. Snowbird is super human and totally immune to the normal effects of adrenalin being released, therefore capable of miraculous, perfectly controlled stops in far less time and distance than any of us mere mortals -- or ABS.

now -- back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[chilipeppernorm]

Here's hoping your friend heals quickly and completely. ABS has saved my butt several times. Contrary to some, things can happen so quickly that one can't anticipate or compensate in time. ABS is for just such occasions.  

[county]

I think we can safely say that with ABS and Rider Training there really is little need for any gear.

[bikerstarfjr08]

They say rider training really works, too.  

Nice little self-affirming anecdote, though.

Thanks for the sympathetic comment asshole.

[Pelagic]

I like ABS too. Only makes sense.

Hope your friend heals quickly and you're back in the saddle soon.

Cheers,

 

[Thor]

Almost made it halfway through the first page before the asshole shows.

Hope your friend heals quick.

You know, if you don't quote them most of us won't have to hear their shit.  (See: Ignore list.)

[hobbes]

You know, if you don't quote them most of us won't have to hear their shit.  (See: Ignore list.)

D'oh. My bad.

[bassjones]

hope your friend heals quickly.  after a bunch of research I made sure my recent bike purchase was an ABS model and after having it save my ass once already It'll be a priority from here on out too.  Only concern I have is people becoming overly reliant on it and not using good braking technique.  Technique, plus good technique = vastly superior stopping distances in an emergency.