ABS Defeat Switch

[pwillikers]

Please eschew your impulse to harass me because I have the desire to ride without ABS from time to time.

My SV650AK8 E-03 doesn't have the facility to shut off its ABS without removing the seat to access and remove the two ABS fuses. My intent is to install an ABS on/off switch on the dash.

I have reviewed the wiring diagram and see that the "ABS Control Unit" receives power from three sources, the two aforementioned dedicated 40A and 25A ABS fuses, which I'd prefer to leave unmolested, and more interestingly, the "Fuse Box", fuse #3. Fuse #3 is shared between the "ABS Control Unit" and the "Relay Box" so I'll have to insert the "ABS on/off switch" (in the orange/yellow wire) downstream of where it splits off to the "Relay Box" as to not interfere with power supplied to the "Relay Box".

Prior to hacking into the bundled wire loom, I wanted to ask if any of you have pursued this modification and found it successful? And, hope against hope, will the existing "ABS" dash light light up if the ABS on/off switch, wired as suggested above, is in the "off" position? Wouldn't that be nice?


Thanks, Paul.


Link to wiring diagram:https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gs43MiyWHRB6DV147

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gs43MiyWHRB6DV147

[Seeker]

I don't know the answer to your question but here's a question that might lead you to a different solution. If the ABS doesn't see one of the wheel sensors it flags the ABS light but does it also disable the ABS system? If it does you could put a switch inline with one of the sensors. As a test you could pull the rear ABS sensor out of its holder, go for a quick ride and see if you can lock the rear wheel (since I can't say: "don't try this at home", I'll go with: "be careful if you try it").

Here's how someone did it the technical way on a (US) Vstrom:
https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,8792.0.html

[Talking Heads]

Another way, start bike and allow to warm up.
Place copious amounts of washing up liquid under the rear tyre.
Sit on bike and kick sidestand up.
Pull front brake on as hard as you can.
Rev the nads off it and dump the clutch.
All being well the front wheel will not move and the rear will spin up.
This disparity between wheel rotation speeds will confuse the **** out of the ABS computer and the ABS will not switch itsself on.


Some bikes have ABS on/off switches, so don't see why not.
Apart from its really daft.


Be sure and let your insurer know.....

[squirrel_hunter]

I'm intrigued, having ridden bikes with and without ABS I have my own views on the technology...

But what is your reason for wanting to do this?

[Bibio]

I'm intrigued, having ridden bikes with and without ABS I have my own views on the technology...

But what is your reason for wanting to do this?

+1

there is never any reason to turn off ABS. turning it off dont make you ride any faster round a track, in fact you will ride quicker with it on.

[Seeker]

Here we go again. He asked a question not for an opinion, we all have plenty of those. Presumably he has his reasons which I don't want to second guess.
I actually posted this in a "gripe of the day" - If I ask a question, answer it first then tell me I'm an idiot for wanting to do it but at least I will have learned something other than your opinion. Rant over.

[SV650rules]

Will it affect insurance if you deliberately disable a safety feature ?

[andy650]

It will affect insurance.

If I was minded to disable ABS, I would probably go for the fuses. Replace them with spade connectors & tails, which go off to your own fuse and switch system.

Strange idea though, I'd love to know why.

[glang]

I believe theres some riders out there who are so good they can control braking better than an ABS system.....

[Talking Heads]

I believe theres some riders out there who are so good they can control braking better than an ABS system.....


Nope, not a single human alive on the face of the earth is able to do what ABS can do.
ABS can decide to hold or release the brakes fifteen times per second.
A human can't.

[glang]

Ahhh but the releasing is its weakness as that is lost braking power so if youre a god you could brake continuously on the limit and get a better result, easy!

[Talking Heads]

"if you're a god"

Breaking News just in: No such thing... :p

[Seeker]

Let's assume he wants to take his SV onto a dirt road and do some turns by locking up the rear wheel, he really wanted to buy a BMW GS for this but couldn't afford it, his lucky lotto numbers didn't work so he's stuck with the SV.

Now that we've solved why he wants to do it, how about some constructive way of achieving disabling the ABS other than (my) suggestion in the second post.

If he's waiting for good advice here, I hope he's got a good book :rolleyes:

[glang]

awwww I could give advice on how to ride like a god but not on ABS disabling.....

[pwillikers]

Thank you Seeker for the provided link to vstrom.info. It is the exact information for which I was seeking :-). Others have proven the viability of this approach. I’ll have at it.

Why do I want to disable ABS?

Well…

I'm sixty years old and have been riding since I was fourteen. I’ve had lots of accidents early on but fortunately none in the last hundred thousand miles. I've done many track days where I'm mid-pack in the intermediate group. I’m fairly competent at maximum braking. I've never raced.

I've owned over three dozen bikes including four SVs. I still have two - the '08 in question and an ‘00. I love the SVs. They are hugely fun to slam about and exceptionally well suited for around town, cut and thrust in traffic. The ergonomics of the "N" model are perfect for upright city riding. Of course, this is old news to all of you. :-)

On my '00 SV, I've done many performance upgrades - CBR959RR front calipers, SVRacingParts caliper mounts, SS lines, RT emulators and RT springs, brazed closed rebound holes and enlarged compression holes in the damper rods, Ohlins shock, jetted, AKRAPOVIC Ti full exhaust system, Renthal bars etc. etc. I am a big fan of strong brakes. As you can imagine, the CBR calipers and SS lines create extraordinary front braking. I can stand it on its nose with one finger which is very satisfying and fun.

I bought the ’08 specifically for its ABS, dual spark and fuel injection. The petrol in the US is mixed with at least ten percent alcohol which raises hell with carburetors. The fuel injection is flawless and I consistently consume significantly less fuel than on the carbureted ’00. For the forks, I’ve installed Ricor Intiminators (in spite of the name) mostly to try something different than RT and to see if it'd be any better.

My conclusion is that the Intiminator setup is indeed a significant upgrade to the stock (under damped and under sprung) setup. They are more firm than stock in initial travel and well controlled in everyday riding. In fast, aggressive riding, they begin to feel a bit overwhelmed, allowing the suspension to move around more than I'd like, decreasing confidence. They remain a great choice for improved comfort and control in everyday road riding.

The Racetech setup is consistently firm and controlled as speed and aggressiveness increase. I can get very rowdy and still feel confident in the consistent response of the front suspension. They are a great choice for every day riding and, in my experience, the best choice for seriously aggressive riding.

But I digress.

ABS on the ’08 is primitive in execution compared to today’s best. It invokes itself well before traction is compromised. On bumpy roads, when the tire leaves the ground, the ABS releases braking, even if only for an instant, and when the tire rejoins the pavement and full braking is called for and expected there's none to be had. This I find very disconcerting.

When I bought the ’08 it had terrible, hard old Shinko tires. Bridgestone BT-023 tires were on sale and I bought a set (for 116. USD - such a deal I couldn’t pass up). They are fine tires. Good for everything except when maximum grip is required.

I am a strong advocate of ABS - generally. In city riding especially, ABS has the potential to save the day when the unexpected occurs, which it will, and when I’m not at maximum concentration, which sometimes I’m not. In contrast, there are times when I ride at full tilt with full concentration and wish to have maximum braking control right at the limit. Add in the mediocre traction of the BT-023s and the invocation of ABS is unfortunately frequent, intruding at precisely the wrong time also precluding the joy of lofting the rear wheel.

So, I do wish to have the option of disabling ABS function. Do I think I can out-brake the ABS on this bike? With full concentration, on a dry road, with perfect conditions, yes. Do I consider myself a motorcycle braking god? No, not in the least. Am I a bit of a hooligan, perhaps. Should I start acting my age? Very unlikely. :-)

[shiftin_gear98]

:smt023

[squirrel_hunter]

Interesting and reasoned.

Would be like to read a follow up once you make the changes and a guide of how you did this...

[andy650]

Nice reasoning OP, I get it.

Had similar problems with a modern GSXS1000 ABS I test rode. Never ridden ABS before so had to test it out, I was surprised how early it cut in, genuinely felt I could brake harder, or at least allow a little lock up for a smoother experience.

Had similar issues with the traction control, it just cut in too early. But that can be reduced or disabled at will, same as you want to do with the ABS!

I still say go for the fuses, I test rode a Busa with ABS, which had an active ABS recall on it. So they disabled the ABS for the test ride, by removing the fuses.