Actually...Mine has a 5% Discount because I have ABS! Have ya asked? I know most won't even ask to think about it cause it's a bike! Can never hurt to ask!

Mike

 

I've been riding since 1966,Harley Davidsons since 1973.Probably the hardest I've ever clamped down on the binders,last June east of Billings Mont. It had been raining off and on and a big doe mule deer flew out of the brush between the lanes. I swear to this day I went from 80 to a standing stop in 20 ft. I'm sure that's an exageration but the way my heart was pounding that's what I was experiencing. If it hadn't been for ABS brakes I'm sure I would have locked up both wheels, might have kept the bike in control but believe I wouldn't have missed the deer. I'm sold on ABS.P.S. I admitt I was going way too fast for the conditions.

 

So assuming that H-D's ABS system is deficient and perhaps they are working on improving them, would an improvement have to be in the hardware or could an improvement be done with software?

 

Good question.

 

As others have pointed out, this study was for similar bikes. But to be fair, if I'm understanding your point, you're not claiming all ABS bikes are bad, just that HD's bikes (and yours in particular) are not up to snuff. I guess time will tell, there's plenty of ABS and non ABS HD bikes out there to run a comparison on.

 

I believe King's point is that the BMW ABS is more advanced and that is true. BMW has been shipping ABS for many years and has refined them so they operate exceptionally well and only when truly required. It didn't happen overnight, lots of BMW riders were bitching about earlier implementations of BMW ABS.

HD only started offering it in '08 and will continue to refine it so it gets better. I did not get it on my 08 FLHX mainly because I didn't think the HD system was fully baked yet. I do regret that decision and will only buy newer bikes with ABS.

 

Sorry you're having problems and I'm not trying to start anything with you. If you say you rode another bike and it wasn't as bad as yours then you must admit it must not be normal. My bike will chirp the tires stopping. That indicates to me the wheels are locking and unlocking like it was designed. If your bike is releasing to soon or before they stop rotating then it sounds like a software or wheel speed sensor problem. I would insist on sensor, bearing, or software changes to get it fixed. Hope you get it taken care of because you need to get what you paid for.

 

It wasn't the exact same system but the police bikes had ABS before 08 I believe.

 

I have a hard time accepting your claims that an ABS HD bike will stop faster than a non ABS. HD did not develop the braking system on their own, they worked with Brembo. Moreover, given the late market arrival, I find it hard to believe they didn't run countless tests to make sure the system would outperform a bike without ABS.

One thing I find ironic is all the folks arguing for ABS but then change out the wheel diameter on an ABS equipped bike. The SW calculates speed based on wheel rotation and diameter and by changing that diameter you have effectively altered the functioning of the ABS. But I digress...

I have also heard a lot of negatives about BMW ABS. For years, riders complained about the fact that the front and rear were integrated into a single system where no matter which brake lever was activated both brakes were activated by a preset force. In effect, the rider didn't control the braking force of each brake. In response to the market outcry of complaints, I believe they finally relented and changed the design.

Bottom line is you have a better chance of avoiding a crash with ABS in an emergency situation...especially in wet conditions. Neither of my bikes have ABS. However, I wish my Ultra did given I ride 2-up most of the time on it and we travel in all weather conditions. I won't buy another new HD without ABS. In fact, I may trade my 08 in on a 2010 just to get ABS.

 

Hmm.. you guys are boring tonight. I thought my "little sideways comment" would get things interesting! hehehe