Re: ABS Brakes
 

Yup, but it does it every time. Hands up everyone who's never, ever locked up the front through an error or a panic grab or braking over a bad surface, and who's absolutely confident that they never will. ABS isn't for the day to day riding, it's for the time it goes wrong.

Also, in emergency situations most people underbrake, out of fear of locking up, which can be just as bad as losing the front.

In the last big comparison I saw, which was Jamie Whitham on a Triumph Sprint, he could just barely outperform it on a damp road surface. Now, fair to say he can brake quite well- but the point was that this was a planned stop, and yet even with advanced planning he couldn't outclass the ABS. Unplanned stops would make the difference.

If you really want ABS on an SV, sell or trade in yours against an ABS model- I'm sure you can retrofit it but this way'll be cheaper.

Re: ABS Brakes
 

Not with all the mods I've done. :smt105

Re: ABS Brakes
 

Would most of your stuff not transfer?

Re: ABS Brakes
 

100% agree but if I'm cold, wet, tired and not really on it the ABS will still do it's stuff where I may not. Same with traction control and all the other driver aids tbh.

For that slight chance if I was buying one I'd get a new road bike with ABS (if it's an option), I wouldn't bother to try and add it on to a s/h bike, too much to swap and very limited availability (so expensive) for very little (if any) real gain.

Druid

Re: ABS Brakes
 

I would love ABS on my bike , i had a major crash from the front locking up ...

Heres a vid of a vstrom with ABS:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3d6iu-1WFxw&feature=related

Re: ABS Brakes
 

As someone WITH ABS, I think I can add here.

When the ABS kicks in it is NOT pleasant.

Yes, the brakes backing off and you rolling forwards IS better than the rear locking up and sliding, possibly starting to come round on you, but at least then you have the impression that stomping on the pedal actually did something.

Its a better situation to be in physically (rolling wheels) than the lock, but in your head its a different matter.

When I had the Zed out to play @ Brands, I cant say I felt the ABS at all at any point - and I was breaking fairly hard into Paddock, although I will be the 1st to admit I wasnt going THAT hard - if I did much more than 100 at any point I would be surprised, but he I was there for the cornering, not the speed :)

So, ABS.

Dont see it like ABS on a car, because its the "oh I can stomp on it as hard as I want" attitude that has caused car drivers to start braking so late, and also if the ABS DOES kick in, it will lengthen your stopping distance, just like a rear-lock will.

See it as something that may save you some day, but in the meantime will let you know when you have messed up (when you do the rear, it "kicks" you in the sole of your foot) but without punishing you.

As for retro-fit, should be do-able, but as said, if you could get a factory-fit, that would be better.

Re: ABS Brakes
 

What about ABS activating on the front?

Re: ABS Brakes
 

Either I'm a braking god (unlikely) or its VERY subtle - not really sure I have noticed it ever cutting in.

But then I have never really tried to get the front to misbehave, whereas the rear I have.

Must give it a go......

Re: ABS Brakes
 

Do Suzuki offer ABS as an option on a UK spec bike yet, I'm sure I read somewhere it was on the USA bikes only ? But I might be mistaken.

Re: ABS Brakes
 

Due to be an option on the K9, ABS is available in the US as you say along with Euro spec bikes.