"ABS is not for people like you"
#1
05-06-2009 | 08:13 PM
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
"ABS is not for people like you"
Some of you already know that I am not a fan of HD ABS.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...distances.html
Basically HD ABS comes in too easily, waaaay before the wheel is going to lock and when it comes in it doesnt brake hard enough, and you feel like you arent going to stop.
I have ridden BMWs with ABS and they dont have this problem.
Well, I have been riding with the ABS re-enabled for the last 2 weeks to give it another chance and she gave me a big fright the other night. I nearly just pulled the fuse again but I thought I should try and make the Stealer get it to work properly. So she went back to the dealer again today. They assigned me a different technician and he ran another few tests and said:
Needless to say the fuse is being pulled again tonight.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...distances.html
Basically HD ABS comes in too easily, waaaay before the wheel is going to lock and when it comes in it doesnt brake hard enough, and you feel like you arent going to stop.
I have ridden BMWs with ABS and they dont have this problem.
Well, I have been riding with the ABS re-enabled for the last 2 weeks to give it another chance and she gave me a big fright the other night. I nearly just pulled the fuse again but I thought I should try and make the Stealer get it to work properly. So she went back to the dealer again today. They assigned me a different technician and he ran another few tests and said:
- All HD ABS were like that
- HD ABS is a very basic system
- It isnt nearly as advanced as BMWs etc
- HD ABS is very intrusive
- I shouldnt expect the bike to stop faster with ABS because it wont
- HD ABS is designed to keep people who panic upright. It is not designed to stop the bike faster
- "ABS is not for people like you who really ride the bike hard"
- Just disable it, we will email HD and see what they say but its unlikely we can make it any better.
Needless to say the fuse is being pulled again tonight.
#3
05-06-2009 | 08:33 PM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Nevada Mountains of N. Calif
#5
05-06-2009 | 08:39 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,369
Likes: 2,867
From: Charleston, SC
I read those ABS threads awhile back, kinda got me worried. So anyway, last week I took the MSF experianced riders course (aced it BTW 
)) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.
Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
)) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
#6
05-06-2009 | 08:43 PM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Nevada Mountains of N. Calif
I read those ABS threads awhile back, kinda got me worried. So anyway, last week I took the MSF experianced riders course (aced it BTW )) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.
Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
)) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
#7
05-06-2009 | 08:45 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
You keep making the same claims and so will I, my ABS works just fine, and I will not buy a HD without it. Tell me if you know, what is better about the BMW brakes? I really don't think you will find many people here who think they need to pull the fuse. I ride hard too and I don' have a complaint with the brakes, in fact I think it stops great.
Last edited by Trock; 05-06-2009 at 08:48 PM.
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#8
05-06-2009 | 08:53 PM
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: FT BRAGG, NC
I read those ABS threads awhile back, kinda got me worried. So anyway, last week I took the MSF experianced riders course (aced it BTW )) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.
Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
)) and while there I tried out the ABS. Like all day long.... Over and over. Front and back etc etc.Findings? I was able to stop faster with ABS than without. I/we measured it on the braking test thing. I pulled the fuse to simulate no ABS. Also had another rider try it out. Same results. Cool thing was my average was 3 feet shorter with ABS at 17-25 MPH than without. I also had way more control over the bike not having to concentrate on NOT locking up the rear brake. Definately had more control without the rear tire locking up.
Been riding for 20 something years on and off road. So please save the "new rider" comments.
I won't buy another bike without ABS. Just slam down on both brakes and it stops. Requires no thought... kinda cool.
lp
So as the previous poster commented....keep the "NEW" rider adage to yourself if you're someone about to bring it up! Can newer riders benefit...absolutely! But I'll also add...nothing beats time riding...a good MSF course...and a Ride Like a Pro course (first on DVD then in person). But ABS most certainly worth money in a crisis!
People who think they are in total control 100% of the time are sadly misinformed. I love hearing the Skidding is more effective and laying your bike down is the best thing! Sorry...that's a No-Go! Ask any MSF instructor or even the Ride Like a Pro Gurus!
Not all incidents leave everyone in total control and ABS helps in those instances! I do agree that HD ABS is sensitive at times...and would love to see it refined in the future. But mine doesn't activate too quickly...but does have the issue on the bumps...small price to pay for the security I know it affords me!
Ok...Off Soap Box...pop corn and drink in hand! Waitingfor the HEAT rounds to start flying!
Riding safe and waiting patiently...Mike
#10
05-06-2009 | 08:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,369
Likes: 2,867
From: Charleston, SC
Shoot.. forgot to mention... I was jabbing with the MSF dudes and they pointed something out so obvious it stung.
It really doesn't matter how fast ABS will or will not stop a bike. The point is the benefit of ABS is you get to brake hard and maintain control of the bike at the same time without having to think about brake modulation so you can concentrate on finding an Exit and SWERVE to avoid a collision.
Makes sense to me.
lp
It really doesn't matter how fast ABS will or will not stop a bike. The point is the benefit of ABS is you get to brake hard and maintain control of the bike at the same time without having to think about brake modulation so you can concentrate on finding an Exit and SWERVE to avoid a collision.
Makes sense to me.
lp