qtrracer - I'm only going by what your post reported that you did and the outcomes. You were blaming HD and ABS brakes. I'm I only putting the blame where it belongs. If you do not learn from this close call any why it happened you will be destined to repeat your mistakes.

All of the conditions that you described WERE the lack of knowledge and skill that you had about your bike and equipment. Very little to nothing had to do with the bike and it's equipment.

I will venture a suggestion that if you had not used the brakes at all and applied the amount of counter steer needed the bike would have made it around the bend without a problem. You should learn to trust your tires more.

 

Well stated!

 

This past summer on I 90 Montana, a cow Moose and her Calf ran out in front of me. I was on my 2011 ultra-abs. I didn't lock up or skid but I also didn't hit them. I was doing well over 70mph and de-accelerated in what seemed like slow motion- I could almost touch them or so it seemed. I'd learned not to lock up brakes years earlier but it seemed the abs took care of that. After I changed shorts at the silver dollar bar, I was impressed with the abs. For an old geezer 63 on a geezer bike I don't regret getting abs. 900lbs. is a lot of weight to keep up in a skid.

 

Dude - you (and some others) are reading way too much into this whole situation. The ABS actuation that the OP experienced has nothing to do with his so called lack of skill/knowledge and everything to do with the unpredictable nature of the ABS under the riding conditions he experienced. If you have never experienced a similar situation you just don't ride hard enough. I'd even venture to say that most of the comments in this thread that the OP was going too fast, riding over his head, or needs to learn this or learn that, are from those with lesser riding skill and lesser knowledge of their bike's capabilities and mechanical workings than the OP has.

 

I think as more computers are taking over the bikes they are gonna make the driver lose a lot of the control of the vehicle

 

I have a RKC that came equipped with ABS and have since had the software update applied. Additionally, I have BMW M Roadster with stability control. Major difference between both control systems is that the BMW allows me to turn the system off with the press of button. Both are systems intrusive if left activated under spirited driving conditions. Knowing that there is no on-the-fly method of de-activating the ABS method forces me to realize that the limitation of operator control. If my riding style were more towards being aggressive to the point that might unwantingly activate the ABS on the bike I might seek ways to de-activate. If I were so aggressive a rider on a daily basis then I would have bought a bike that was not equipped with a non-switchable (to deactivate) ABS system. Being that I bought a bike with ABS, knowing that there was no on-the-fly method of deactivating, I am not going to bitch about the perceive limitation of the system design that doesn't know my riding skill level combined with my operation of the bike in any given conditions--damn thing should know better. Fault yourself for know completely understanding your equipment. On an aside, Formula One rules do not allow ABS--but, racing is not comparative to the legal operation of a motor vehicle on public streets. If your at the track, deactivate ABS, if you're operating your bike on public streets legally then it is unlikely that the factory design ABS will upset bike to point of being uncontrollable. It is more certain to assist the operator in the event of over control, i.e. panic braking to which even the most experienced rider may succumb.

 

Where does riding aggressively enter the picture when a car suddenly stops in right front of you or turns across your path on a cold, rainy day? A bike with ABS has a much greater chance of stopping safely in such situations.

 

When ABS was first installed on cars there were similar discussions to this one. If a person is new to riding a bike they have to learn to use the equipment. Clutch, throttle, brakes, all the equipment. They, too, have to learn how to lean, steer, roll over bumps, stay away from the oily section of the lane and expect the bike to slide across the crosswalk plastic paints used today in wet weather.

ABS is simply new equipment that the riding public needs to become familiar with. Whether you are new to bikes or a seasoned rider.... Whether you are changing from one manufacturer to another.... Yamaha to BMW to Harley.... each manyfacturer builds their bikes different. A dirt bike is different than a cruiser. HEY, riding a Sportster is different than riding an Ultra!

For someone to be a well rounded rider they need to be familiar with each style of bike that they ride and the various bikes' associated equipment. In my youth I rode bikes across the Mohave desert. There was an "old guy" who rode a Harley Bagger out there too. I would not recommend it. But, nevertheless, he rode across the desert sand as we did.

If you have ABS learn to use it. Learn it's advantages and disadvantages. A good rider will learn about his/her equipment and how to use it. He/she will learn it's limitations and it's range.

The nice thing about this thread is that these advantages, disadvantages, limits, and ranges are being discussed.

After all, "A man's got to know his limitations". - Inspector Callahan

 

I don't know the answer to this for your BMW but ... ESC is steering control and on some cars turning off ESC does not turn off the ABS system. Granted the two are linked but turning off one does not necessarily mean turning off the other.

But I do agree with your other point. I like to ride aggressively when canyon riding but I also know that the Harley ABS systems has it flaws. I am a supporter of ABS and thats why I choose to ride within the limits of the system instead of disabling it.

 

With the 2008 there was moments with relatively slow speed when you didn't have breaks at all. At least at that famous last 10 feet... I still believe on it, partly.