A near miss, and not another ABS thread
#12
05-22-2009 | 06:13 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Most people seem to agree that ABS wont stop the bike faster, it is designed to keep the bike upright.
Personally, I think it is the job of the brakes on a motorcycle to stop the bike as fast as possible, and its up to the rider to keep the motorcycle upright, but i am old school.
If i go down because I grab the lever too hard I can handle that, Im a big boy, i am responsible for my actions. If i run up the back of someones hatchback because the f/&*# abs cant stop the bike then I am gonna be pi$$ed.
#13
05-22-2009 | 06:22 PM
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Dover DE
I ran thru an intersection 2 days back. I reconnected the ABS becuase it has been raining here and I think it is ok on wet roads. Anyhow, it was dry, and i was lightly braking from 40mph with rear only coming up to the intersection. the old "bump- abs - brakes dissapear" thing again.
Lucky there were no cars in the intersection cause I took an exra 7 feet to stop. I could have grabbed the front but panic set in and just stomped on the rear. the computer was pulsing and flailing around and she just wouldnt stop. One of those occasions when your eyes pop out of the helmet.
I am going up to a ride day next weekend, gonna ride another few 09s and see if they are as bad as mine. Seems worst when you are using only 1 brake. Just when you start to trust the bike she lets you down again
Lucky there were no cars in the intersection cause I took an exra 7 feet to stop. I could have grabbed the front but panic set in and just stomped on the rear. the computer was pulsing and flailing around and she just wouldnt stop. One of those occasions when your eyes pop out of the helmet.
I am going up to a ride day next weekend, gonna ride another few 09s and see if they are as bad as mine. Seems worst when you are using only 1 brake. Just when you start to trust the bike she lets you down again
Re'
#14
05-22-2009 | 06:24 PM
#15
05-22-2009 | 06:27 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Not to tell you how to ride, but why were you stopping with only the rear brake? You don't try to stop your cage with the emergency brake, do you. Many years of ridding BMW bikes (they have been equipted with ABS for years) has shown me that the rear brake ABS with engage very easily comming up to intersections. The washboard ashphault and gravel common to intersections causes it. It's not a big deal if your properly braking with both brakes and not just the rear.
Re'
Re'
#16
05-22-2009 | 07:39 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
Cool. Now do the same thing on a wet road or wet parking lot with some water puddles thrown in. It will wake you up.
#18
05-22-2009 | 07:54 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
#19
05-22-2009 | 08:05 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
#20
05-22-2009 | 08:12 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Nope, always use both front and rear. Reason 1: I get about 70%/30% braking front/rear, and Reason 2: I've got two pads up front and one rear. If I only used the rear much of the time, that pad will definitely not last long. Just my 2 cents (or whatever you call it in UK). 
Speaking of counting you have 4 pads up front and 2 down the back.
I never said I use the rear much of the time. I just use it when cruising (which isnt often). The rear brake on these tractors is much more useful than my sport bike. you didnt even bother with the rear at all on that thing.
Last edited by kingkingking; 05-22-2009 at 08:14 PM.