Don't like ABS? Tough sh&*t! - it'll mandatory in 2016

[sprint_st]

I loved the linked ABS on my FJR.  Maybe it saved my bacon, maybe it didn't  Just had a departure from the Tiger hitting a BIG super surprise patch of fine gravel at about 50+ in a series of turns.  Started to low side, wound up high siding. I did right things, I did wrong things.  It happened so fast there was no thinking.  I am certain neither ABS which my Tiger does not have or anything short of divine intervention would have kept me from crashing.  If I have the choice, and price is the only difference I'm getting ABS every time.   If it's a good bike and doesn't have ABS I'm getting the bike and not losing any sleep over it.

[Cablebandit]

Skee,

I used this simple ABS switch adapter from Eastern Beaver.

http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Bike_Specific/VStrom/body_vstrom.html#absadaptor

[scottzilla]

Lots of reasons not to like it, lots of reasons to desire an OFF switch . . ..

It is certainly useful, within certain parameters. I'm glad I have it on my big mile-eater.

But I'd like an off switch.

I quoted the wrong post.  

I'd like to hear the numerous reasons to turn ABS off.

[Justin]

I quoted the wrong post.  

I'd like to hear the numerous reasons to turn ABS off.

In deep snow, turning off the ABS can help. It allows the snow to wedge up in front of the tires when the wheel locks. And since many people ride bikes in deep snow, that is a good reason.  

[county]

I loved the linked ABS on my FJR.  

Yes, weight is really not a consideration on the FJR...

[scottzilla]

In deep snow, turning off the ABS can help. It allows the snow to wedge up in front of the tires when the wheel locks. And since many people ride bikes in deep snow, that is a good reason.  

Well, duh.
Also, when you take your 900 pound fJR on the beach the last thing you need is to lock up those darn tires.  

[veefer800canuck]

Time for a trip in the WayBack machine.......

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

[Meemuh]

Yes, weight is really not a consideration on the FJR...

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[Kneescrubber]

Time for a trip in the WayBack machine.......

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

Nice thread. I remain unconvinced however. Learning how to brake hard is an acquired skill by the rider. I trust me more than I do electronics.

[Mike-H]

There is something funny about watching an abs street rider on a dirt bike attempting to brake ......
Better yet take your "adventure bike" on a dirt road & try the abs on a downhill gravel road with extensive washboard & a stop sign @ the bottom .....it is an excellent wakeup call for all that great technology
Does this mean if the abs goes out on your street bike you can't ride it cause you'll crash?.....The learned skill set of non abs emergency braking should be a mandatory riding requirement.....it will be interesting to see the various European governments try to enforce this folly on true off road capable motorcycles (personally I'd of thought the Europeans smarter then that )

[miles]

Nice thread. I remain unconvinced however. Learning how to brake hard is an acquired skill by the rider. I trust me more than I do electronics.

Personally, I trust the electronics more than I trust you.

[Kneescrubber]

Personally, I trust the electronics more than I trust you.

Spoken like a true right seat driver.

[miles]

There is something funny about watching an abs street rider on a dirt bike attempting to brake ......
Better yet take your "adventure bike" on a dirt road & try the abs on a downhill gravel road with extensive washboard & a stop sign @ the bottom .....it is an excellent wakeup call for all that great technology

A couple of months ago I had my BMW S1000RR on a loose gravel over hardpack road.  The ABS and TC were incredible.  I could grab the brakes, and the bike rolled to a quicker stop than I ever could have hoped to achieve on my own.  I have TONS of off-road experience, and it was stunning how well the ABS worked on loose, slippery downhill sections.

The traction control was a mixed blessing, though.  On the positive side, I could just grab the throttle and pick up speed with no drama at all.  On the negative side, I couldn't roost VifferVern no matter how hard I tried.  I would just take off down the road without throwing a single stone.

[miles]

Spoken like a true right seat driver.

I am not, and never have been, English.    

[PatM]

Nice thread. I remain unconvinced however. Learning how to brake hard is an acquired skill by the rider. I trust me more than I do electronics.

You're right, the word is practice, practice, practice. Hone that skill and practice again. Even with ABS.
In reality, ABS is for when you're not really paying attention. It's that electronic that might save your skin, then maybe not.
Not to be confused with linked brakes.
The European legislation will affect us in that most of the interesting bike will only be available with ABS.

Ditto on the off switch.
My experience with ABS tells me that going downhill on a muddy slope, on street tire isn't fun. Specially if at the bottom of the slope, there a river...  

[Mike-H]

Personally, I trust the electronics more than I trust you.

On the flip side I trust my ability to emergency brake far more then your electronics....either and or...... I'll always take an acquired & practiced skill set over electronically decided mandated skill set, just  IMHO

[Lawn Dart]

Better yet take your "adventure bike" on a dirt road & try the abs on a downhill gravel road with extensive washboard & a stop sign @ the bottom.

I have.  Many times.  It's not been a problem.  

Why do you ask?

[miles]

On the flip side I trust my ability to emergency brake far more then your electronics....either and or...... I'll always take an acquired & practiced skill set over electronically decided mandated skill set, just  IMHO

I guess I fail to see the conflict.  ABS only kicks in when your skill set fails.  If your skills are that perfect, ABS never activates.  So ABS doesn't supplant skills, it just reduces the penalties when your skills fall short.

 

[Baz]

The difference between the US and the E.U. I am afraid.

The E.U. forces manufactures to adapt technology which makes what they sell safe through legislation. (It is a condition that is brought on by British Common law).

The US allows manufacturers who make something unsafe open to negligance lawsuits, but does put the choice in the hands of the manufacturer. I doubt if you would ever see ABS being made manditory in the US by a Gov. agency.  

[cbsnbiker]

Seems like initially it would be a significant weight penalty, but like everyone else says, as long as there's an off switch and doesn't require linked front/rear brakes I don't see much harm in it.  The weight is coming down already  and I'm sure in a few years it'd be nearly negligible.

BMW's 1988 implementation of ABS was kind of heavy -- something like 20 lbs.

The most recent implementation weighs something like 3 lbs. I can lose that much weight by taking a dump before going for a ride.  


 

I guess I fail to see the conflict.  ABS only kicks in when your skill set fails.  If your skills are that perfect, ABS never activates.  So ABS doesn't supplant skills, it just reduces the penalties when your skills fall short.

 

Don't confuse him with the facts.