I've had those unwanted ABS activations going over bumps while slowing down, always just the rear, and it takes longer to stop than you planned. I hate those moments! Usually I just grab more front, which has never given me an iunwanted activation.

But I think you're missing the main point that shows the value of ABS: Although there are moments it activates when you don't want it to, you could always control those moments by riding safer in the first place. But ABS makes those dangerous moments YOU CANNOT CONTROL much, much safer. Which ultimately makes motorcycling much much safer. For example:

As in the OP, you're coming hot into a curve and encounter surface irregularities. ABS activated when you didn't want it to and you had a pucker moment. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU COULD HAVE CONTROLLED by entering the curve at a speed slow enough to anticpate traction challenges until you can clearly see the tarmac and identify there are no problems. If you come in too hot expecting no gravel or sand, then ABS is definitely a problem. But that's you're fault and it is something you could have controlled.

But when a deer jumps in front of you in straight line cruising, this is BEYOND YOUR CONTROL and ABS is a huge benefit.

Driver turns left right in front of you, this is BEYOND YOUR CONTROL and ABS is a huge benefit.

Driver pulls out in front of you, this is BEYOND YOUR CONROL and ABS is a huge benefit.

There was a time when I also wanted to deactivate my ABS, but after thinking it through, I'm glad I have it and would not want a bike without it. It makes the situations that are beyond your control much much safer.

 

In 1975 80% of the motorcycle fatalities were in the youngest age groups <29 by 2009 the older age group fatalitles exceeded the younger group.

To many guys that I know practice looking good than learning how to ride their ride and when you exceed their limit then they say you ride too fast.

"Meanwhile, if motorcycles have become less popular among young people in their 20s, the two demographic trends would explain why the share of motorcycle deaths represented by the 50+ age group is increasing, and was greater in 2009 than the younger age group’s share of deaths."

Instead of duck walking the bike, taking bad lines, being unable to turn a bike around, thinking that the rear brake is the primary brake, people should be honing their skills. IMHO

BTW I still like having ABS

 

Once it saves your bacon, as it has mine, you will be sold on ABS! The ABS works as advertised if the bike is ridden responsibly.

 

Actually had you really read my original post you would have come away with some things that would have addressed your comments. I said my speed was greater than posted, not too great. I think that even the most casual rider can and does navigate turns at higher than the posted speeds given for a turn without much fuss. I never said I started braking in the turn, I said I was still braking upon entry and some of that had to do with the ABS deactivating the front brake before the turn due to the poor road surface(heat had cracked and wrinkled up the asphalt) and not let me slow down as I had anticipated I would so I kept on the brakes into the corner, not continuing to brake would have meant blowing the turn. And I never went down, I was leaned over and when the ABS let the front brake re-activate the front wheel crabbed to the left(I was in a left hand turn) and before I went down I let off the brake. We may only find the faults of some things when using them at their limits. And because many use the HD touring bike equipped with ABS at below these limits they would likely not have experienced this but that doesn't make the system flawless or my riding at fault. I think that for most the system can be very valuable but if a rider is more aggressive than the parameters that the engineers took into account when designing and programming this system, what I reported on may happen to others as it happened to me.

 

And, that generation in 1975 are now the guys in the 50+ age group. Interesting.

 

TO34 got it right!

Dennis

 

I agree but many that I've known did not ride much when they were in their 20's and then got rid of the bike and then the kids got older and they got their dream bike and then thought they had 35 years of riding experince, not. Then the first piece of equipment they got was a vest and a HOG patch.

 

You could just wire a little micro toggle switch into the front wheel sensor wire. No need to take power off the whole system.

 

And another good statement making a great point. I don't even have a Harley yet but I am constantly amazed (and it isn't just Harley) that most bikes seem to need to have their shocks upgraded when that should be the one thing on the bike that should not have to be or if you just have to have the greatest "suspension" system on your bike then buy it but not because the original suspension is that bad.

Dennis

 

Not disagreeing with you outright, all I can say is that, in my experience, any time you cut the signal from the feedback device in a closed loop control system you can expect seriously unpredictable results.

If you are 100% certain this disables the entire system and reverts to non ABS then I will accept that, but if in doubt then I would not advocate this approach at all.