I don't know how the majority feels about the adition of ABS brakes on the 2011 models but I sure am glad I bought my 2010 Heritage when I did. The brakes on mine are the best brakes of any Harley I have ever owned and the ABS brakes are just another reason we would have to take it back to the dealer to let them hold a gun to our head. Think about it , they are doing the same thing that the car manufacturers are doing . Remember when you didn't need the dealer to work on your car ? You could fix your car along the road but now it takes special; equipment to do anything and the equipment is very expensive and gets outdated every few years. Just another reason I won't ever be trading in again.

 

As far as I'm aware, ABS are just an additional option. It makes no difference that you bought a 2010 instead of a 2011. Just don't get the ABS if you don't want them.

 

I have owned a Ninja and 3 HD (Sportster Roadster , RK Custom and my Fatboy) plus many , many Moto X Bikes. IMO the brakes on a Fatboy / Heritage / Deluxe are "adequate" at best with the stock pads and rotors. Upgrading the pads to "Lyndall or similar" and rotors to floating will help. But the softails dont brake well compared to a dual front brake HD like the Touring or Sportster R and none of them brake like a sportbike.

IMO the addition of ABS is a good thing, it is an improved braking system. I would also like to see the addition of a dual front brake set up similar to the touring bikes if you really want it to stop.

Its an option , if you dont want it dont buy it. if you want a simpler bike that is easy to work on your 2010 isnt it compared to an older EVO Softail or Carbed TC.

 

I like having ABS on my bike, had them kick in once already when I was cut off and nowhere to go and they worked great. The price we pay for better and safer technology is that it is harder to fix on your own. But this argument has been going on with cars since before people were mad about power brakes and power steering. I know I wouldn't want to be without either in my car or truck.

 

I think it's about time they added ABS as an option. I had ABS on my ST1300 and it saved my *** once or twice under sunden emergency stopping. My FB locks up way too easily.

 

I had the rear lock up on me a few times on my Road King when I had it. I've had it happen on the Crossbones, but on a wet road (not real fun) Have never had the front lock up, but I agree with what the guy above said, compared to the dual disc my RK had the softail brakes are absolutely inadequate at best

 

I agree with you to a certain extent. From a safety standpoint yes, ABS is a good thing but the MoCo makes changes to make money as well. That's part of the reason they are pushing baggers so hard...to make more money...higher profit margins on baggers, in part because they are a higher ticket item, to start with. Instead of ABS, I wish the MoCo would have made the 103 in engine available to Softails. I would go for that before ABS. Instead, Harley made that an "option" only (standard on the RKC) on bagger models only. Interesting.

 

If you want better brakes on your softail get a pm 6 piston caliper with Lyndalls in it. Abs is good in theory, and I am sure will keep some people out of otherwise sticky situations. The stock softail brakes suck! None of this adequate at best. They jsut plain suck. I too used to ride sport bikes and all other kinds of motorcycles as well and when I first rode a Harley with stock brakes I was shocked at how bad the brakes were.

I consider brakes to be the second most important safety feature on a bike only to that of the tires which connect you to the ground. I would rather spend a little more and be able to stop that much quicker if necessary. You never when someone will swerve right in front of you. It has happened to me plenty of times. Sometimes better brakes saved me, other times they didn't.

Drew

 

I am with you on this one, but you can't stop technologies like ABS etc. from happening and offering to others.

I bought a 2010 Heritage today..obviously without ABS which is another $1195.

Happy and safe riding.

 

Why don't they even put dual calibers on the front?