ABS Brakes

I'm with YC on the part about getting a good look around a K8 with the ABS option.

On the whole "ASB on bikes" thing though, I prefer not to have it. I'm not saying it doesn't work, just I don't want it.

I'm of the opinion that if you're riding along & get a scare (or worse), then you weren't planning ahead properly, and didn't recognise the hazard(s) potential.

So with that in mind, I'd rather not have ABS, just so I don't have that extra cushion. If I had ABS, I'd probably take more risks on the bike.

Same opinion applies to cars too.

[DarrenSV650S]

Originally Posted by northwind

Would most of your stuff not transfer?

Yeh I guess it is, just don't know if I could be bothered swapping it all over

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Baph

I'm with YC on the part about getting a good look around a K8 with the ABS option.

On the whole "ASB on bikes" thing though, I prefer not to have it. I'm not saying it doesn't work, just I don't want it.

I'm of the opinion that if you're riding along & get a scare (or worse), then you weren't planning ahead properly, and didn't recognise the hazard(s) potential.

So with that in mind, I'd rather not have ABS, just so I don't have that extra cushion. If I had ABS, I'd probably take more risks on the bike.

Same opinion applies to cars too.

I guess there is a big difference between sheep and mud and london pedestrilems and manhole covers......

[ethariel]

Had a loan of a BMW a number of years ago with ABS for 6 months while he was abroad. Found it to cause no problems at all, only used it (or so i thought) once or twice when overcooking it a bit.

1st day back on own bike after 6 months on ABS scared the heck out of me soooooo badly, had to learn to brake again as 3, even just teeny weeny, fron wheel slides from a lockup were sooo scary.

Tho a couple of days later all was well again, just be evry careful going from ABS to no ABS.

[Nobbylad]

I was (and still am) slightly sceptical about ABS on a bike for similar reasons, will it lead to more complacency/risk taking? Also, regardless of your ability, what would it feel like to be braking so hard that you activate it in wet/slippy conditions? Take away the point that you need to be riding in relation to the conditions (can anyone honestly say they've never out-ridden their skill/the conditions....ever?) and assume that you need to slam the anchors on in the wet, would ABS make the front squirm/feel dodgy to the point that you might over/understeer and end up going down anyway? OK, might stop you going OTT in dry weather....but what about other weather?

As it goes, I would have liked to have had it a week ago, when coming out of a NSL into a 40 nr. home, wet through, cold, mind focussed on getting home and not the traffic lights nr. the local college, I realise they've gone red and I hit the brakes. More on the back than the front (as I tend to do in wet...dry I'm usually trying for 60-70 front 30-40 rear), slight camber on the road as it's a very gentle bend to the right, I end up going from nr. centre to nr. kerb trying to keep the bike as straight as poss, but still overshoot the lights.

Luckily, they were on auto and not changing due to traffic coming from the right/pedestrians, gives me a rocket up the jacksy to not lose concentration etc etc, however I don't know how close I was to locking up/hitting the deck, but I know how close I would have been to hitting someone/something. For cases like that, maybe ABS has it's advantages?

Would love to be able to get on an ABS bike in all conditions and try all sorts of harsh braking, just to find the limits etc, but then again, I'd still like to be connected to a winch or summat for the point the bike does bite the tarmac!

[yorkie_chris]

You can brake harder than I dare to in the wet, it's the "grab" that takes you off the bike, not exceeding the total grip available once front end is loaded as if you were braking properly.

I'm of the opinion that you should find an empty, flat bit of road and practice braking, make it so that a proper progressive squeeze is built into muscle memory.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

You can brake harder than I dare to in the wet, it's the "grab" that takes you off the bike, not exceeding the total grip available once front end is loaded as if you were braking properly.

I'm of the opinion that you should find an empty, flat bit of road and practice braking, make it so that a proper progressive squeeze is built into muscle memory.

But not all road is the same ... nor is that bit of mud ... nor is that bit of diesel

[G]

My training bike on DAS had ABS, probably helped me in the emergency stop lol

I've never braked hard enough to lock the front up though in anger, I always seem to have a nack whether it be in a car or on a bike to know when your about to lock up or loose traction and correct it.....would still find it usefull though

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

But not all road is the same ... nor is that bit of mud ... nor is that bit of diesel

My comment was just in general. I'd have ABS if it were available and reliable.

I've recently been looking at getting a Triumph Tiger which comes with either an ABS or non ABS version. decisions decisions’.

I'm erring on the side of getting one with ABS. My reasoning is that the only time that the ABS will kick in is if either of the wheels lock up which if gets to this point things have gone slightly dodgy already & any bit of help will be welcome. I've rarely had to do any emergency braking out on the road & I've only locked the front up on the road once (& ate asphalt) so in theory ABS should rarelt, if ever enter my riding life.

I did a machine control day through the Institute of Advanced Motorists which involved emergency braking from around 30 - 40 MPH after several attempts & getting braver each time. On one occasion I locked the front wheel & another time the rear wheel came up in the air, I managed to keep it upright on both occasions however it certainly wasn't graceful.

Now this was on a very good service & on a bright sunny day & I planned to slam on the anchors. However things may have been alot different if I was out on wet road & some numpty pulls out on me etc.

Anyway, I think this vid gives a bit of an insight into the benefits of ABS:

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/extra/000057/