I don't want this to turn into a debate about ABS vs Non ABS. We have had plenty of them already.

But in this case you are 100% correct. There is no way I would have been able to stop and maintain control without ABS. Again, let me say "no way".

I am not a rookie rider. I have been on two wheels for 30+ years and have had several close calls. On any other of the 8 bikes that I have owned I would not have been able to stop in time to avoid a crash. The ABS saved us from injury and a wrecked bike.

I bought my SG off the showroom floor and it had the ABS option on it. Thats the only reason I have ABS. I didn't want it at the time. Didn't think I needed it.

Well.......I have changed my mind now and I will never be without it again.

 

First let me say glad that you guys are oaky. I have an 09 Ultra with ABS on them. Of course I hope I never have to use them, but good to know they are there just in case. After reading your post I'm happy I got the ABS.

 

Glad to hear the ABS is well worth it. Of all the things on the new bikes that is one that I definitely want. On to the lights. Recommendation of a local indy, was these Drag Specialty lights.

Part number 2001-2049. I picked up a set for the wife's Softail. A small accident last month, left her with a broken collar bone, and some bike scratches for me to fix. Instead of replacing the stock light I went with these. They have a small bulb for a "running" light then a dual filament 55/60w bulb for low and high beam. I am not going to waste my time with the small bulb, but go with the low and high beam. The visor also matches the Harley headlight visor. It was also recommended that I get a set of the "blue/real white" type bulbs for them. Another nice thing is any wally world or parts store you can get a new bulb out on the road. I also have a set of whelen tir 3 red led's on the back of our bikes (xtra brake light) and noticed that they sell a small bracket for the front passing lamp mounting bracket. I was thinking of picking up a couple of these lights in clear and mounting on the front of our bikes under the headlight. I see a few bikes around with the "flashing" headlight mod. This isn't much different, but cheaper. As bright as these little lights are I don't think too many can miss you. Myself I will probably put a switch on them to turn off at night. I also have a clear and amber mounted on a plate under my tourpak hooked to the Aux. sw. If I run drag with the group they come in handy as warning lights in conjunction with the red ones.
http://www.whelen.com/details_prod.p...74&prod_id=145

Of course check with your local traffic laws to see if you can use something like this. Here it is legal, my brother who is a police officer said they would never go for it in NY. Good luck with your choices and be seen!!!

 

+1 on the triangle light affect.

 

Glad everyone is ok! First thing I did on my 06 SG was get the passing lamps and put them on! With YELLOW or AMBER lights..believe me when I say they are WAY more visable to oncomers because...they are different!

Good luck!

 

"WOULD HAVE" And how do you know this? ABS is good no argument there but visibility shouldn't be overlooked. pun intended...
Not to bag on anyone's riding ability but defensive driving is utmost important. look for an out, never trust a turn signal and cover your brake.

harley-jones, I'm really am glad you and yours made it out OK.
Ride Free, ***** G.

 

I want to thank everyone for all the great info and the kind words.

This happened so fast and what everyone says about things going into slow motion is correct.
I have replayed this over in my head several times and I don't know of anything that I could have done different. When this guy pulled out, reflexes took over to get us stopped in time. There was no time to think "what should I do". It was that quick.
From 55mph with full on brakes we stopped literally inches from the trucks rear fender.

Anyway, you guys and gals watch e'm close out there! They are lurking everywhere.

 

Glad to know the ABS works as advertised and that all three of you (you, her and the bike) are all okay. Visibility is the reason I wired the passing lamps on my Ultra to stay on with the high beam on. And I ride, day and night with the high beam on. Yeah, I've heard the argument that I could get sued for causing an accident because some cager that was inattentive to begin with was momentarily blinded by my lights, causing them to drop their cell phone into their coffee and lose control of their car. Screw 'em. When it goes to court, they will have to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. And the plus side is I will be in attendance in perfect health and not in a body cast. My .02

 

First, unless you re-wire the passing lamps to work with high-beams you may be more visible in the daytime with the headlight alone on high-beam. In the standard configuration the passing lamps only work on low-beam.

I thought about doing what you're considering on my SG but decided against it, mainly because I didn't want more weight on the steering mechanism and the cost of the hardware. If I did do it I would wire them for high-beam use, or possibly both, and use a relay rather than simply tapping into the high-beam circuit.

I've had a Kisan headlight modulator, Hella Euro-code headlight, and an 85/100w bulb installed for some time. The modulator has been on my last two bikes since 2002, and since that time have had no frontal incidents like what you've described. That said, I don't take this for granted and assume these yoyos will pull out in front of me anyway. I have had drivers change lanes on several occasions, forcing me off the road or in the opposing lane. None were particularly close calls and I was watching them, but these aren't related to lighting since I was in their blind spot. I now try even harder to stay out of the blind spots and watch cars on my side very closely at the ready to react.

I would also like to emphasize another factor in awareness: air horns. Buy a set of these and if you even think some schmuck in a cage is about to pull out in front of you hit the horns, as they will hear you. Very important IMO!

When I had my old RK with the 80/100w bulb and no modulator I ran some tests with the help of several friends. The bike also had higher-powered 37.5w quartz passing lamps, much brighter than stock. The first was to go down the road with low-beam and passing lamps and the second high-beam only. Everyone agreed that the high-beam alone was the most noticeable, and adding the modulator later made it even more so.

The problem with the passing lamps is that they aren't particularly bright and the low-beam is almost invisible in daylight. The high-beams, even with the standard 55/60w bulbs, penetrate much better IMO.

The Euro-code headlight is mainly a night visibility issue for me, with a much better pattern and "seeing distance" on both low- and high-beam. I doubt if it aids that much in daylight, however.

 

I changed the headlight to a silverstar bulb and add PIAA driving lights. I have the P1000C super white lights and those things are bright. They are expensive but then again so is someone pulling out in front of you. If you get down low and look straight into them in daylight they will blind you. So I would advise making sure they are aimed correctly. I got the wide beam version and they really light up the ditches at night along the road for spotting critters.