ABS v Non ABS

[Edbear]

You want ABS. The systems (even the linked ones) have no effect on the vehicle till an emergency. Then they are invaluable.

Safe sex - yeah - my spinal column wouldn't be as fucked up if my bike had ABS.

If it's available on the bike you are looking at - get the ABS.

It should be switchable for a dirt bike.

Perzackery! While experts can often do as well, and racing drivers have shown they can beat ABS in some cicumtances, for most of us mortals, we need the help. I've never tested the ABS in our car, but appreciate it's there.

Over the years, ABS has proved itself time and again until it now should be compulsory for all vehicles. Of course the testosterone heroes will disagree and ego's will soar, but the fact remains, the technology does what it's designed to do and saves lives.

[ckai]

I watched that vid several times trying to see if the dude turns the bars to make the non-abs look worse (yes sceptic) but the bars get flicked...maybe...

Perzackery! While experts can often do as well, and racing drivers have shown they can beat ABS in some cicumtances, for most of us mortals, we need the help. I've never tested the ABS in our car, but appreciate it's there.

Over the years, ABS has proved itself time and again until it now should be compulsory for all vehicles. Of course the testosterone heroes will disagree and ego's will soar, but the fact remains, the technology does what it's designed to do and saves lives.

In the car, try braking with the inside wheels on a damp grass verge. You don't even need to brake hard, just decent. Quite cool how it keeps the car straight and only pulses the inside wheel. Mere mortals would kiss a fence without it. In saying that, I've done it a few times and thought the ABS acted too quickly but better too be safe and allow for all the gumballs out there.

There was an argument in a bike mag recently that said that will all these safety technologies sooner or later people get used to them and "allow" for then by driving/riding even more recklessly assuming the tech will save their asses. They quoted the safety belt stats as an example. Interesting really, I just think us humans need to have our brains rewired again.

[Gremlin]

There was an argument in a bike mag recently that said that will all these safety technologies sooner or later people get used to them and "allow" for then by driving/riding even more recklessly assuming the tech will save their asses.

What does happen (and I think it was a TV motoring show that did a quick test) is that people become incapable of driving without the aids. ie, not deliberately being an idiot, but cars have become so easy to drive, the drivers weren't able to drive a much older car, without power steering etc.

I haven't tested the front ABS yet, but I just about shat my pants when the rear brake lever started vibrating like mad for the first time. Happens quite easily on the back, when unloading the rear of the bike...

[Devil]

I haven't tested the front ABS yet, but I just about shat my pants when the rear brake lever started vibrating like mad for the first time. Happens quite easily on the back, when unloading the rear of the bike...

Wouldn't mind trying yours at some point. I dont get the vibration on mine, i'm assuming it's because mine is the servo assisted version and thats doing all the work.

[SPman]

but the fact remains, the technology does what it's designed to do and saves lives

Saves lives - bugger that!
What it saves is embarrassment! There's nothing worse than decking your bike in the wet (or dry) because mr brain went on holiday and you grabbed the brakes at an inopportune time in front of a bemused audience .....

[Edbear]

Saves lives - bugger that!
What it saves is embarrassment! There's nothing worse than decking your bike in the wet (or dry) because mr brain went on holiday and you grabbed the brakes at an inopportune time in front of a bemused audience .....

Like at a major Auckland intersection back in '76 on the old T500...

[blackdog]

hate to sound like mr katman here but...

[Big Dave]

hate to sound like mr katman here but...

...then you'd be wrong too.

>Sound of sword entering scabbard, swings across ballroom on chandelier and exits stage right.<

[LBD]

Interesting. The assumption that someone can brake like an expert. You put the range of skills at expert or incompetent. Thing is, not everybody has the skills you purport to. I'd suggest that maybe 10% of riders are actually that skilled. Obviously including yourself, Oh Great One.

Of course, again, everyone will think they have the skills, until they actually have to prove they do. If you are that good, good on you, but most people greatly over-estimate their ability to ride.

IMHO.

Listen smartarse...I make no claims of my own ability....what I am saying is the non ABS braking in the clip is the worst possible scenario, ie: grab a handful and instantly lock up the front end....I doubt even you would be dumb enough to do that!

May be 10% are skilled enough to brake close to the ability of an ABS (I doubt any would better it)....but most of the other 90% will be wary of locking up the front, and their ability would fall between the two extremes....

[BMWST?]

Listen smartarse...I make no claims of my own ability....what I am saying is the non ABS braking in the clip is the worst possible scenario, ie: grab a handful and instantly lock up the front end....I doubt you would be dumb enough to do that!

May be 10% are skilled enough to brake close to the ability of an ABS (I doubt any would better it)....but most of the other 90% will will be wary of locking up the front, and their ability would fall between the two extremes....

but thats the point.When confronted with a real "panic" braking situation the reaction IS to grab a hand full of brake,and beleive me you will use more force than you would even in a situation where you are simulating a panic stop.The front brake on my ol gs is pretty average,and in the past i have practissed hard stopping and not locked the front wheel.But that exactly what i did the other day riding through town not paying attention.When i looked back the traffic had stopped,and i bottomed the front suspension and locked the front wheel in my first grab of the front brake.My "proper" self regained control and i backed off the pressure immediately,but if it had been wet or whatever i may have decked it.

[bsasuper]

Once you have a bike with ABS, you come to rely on it, and loose skill in feeling the tyre grip as on a non ABS machine.The dude is just grabbing a handfull of brake straight up, which is fine on the ABS bike, but I sure as hell dont brake like that on my non ABS bike in the wet.

[Big Dave]

Once you have a bike with ABS, you come to rely on it, and loose skill in feeling the tyre grip as on a non ABS machine.

I haven't watched the video, but I have been testing bikes with ABS for years.

No, you don't. It only makes a difference in an absolute emergency. When there's no time to think or feel or even skill level comes into it. Emergency situations do occur - fractions of a second when all you need to do is stop. Fast. Then ABS gives you a better chance of survival.

Otherwise it has no other effect on riding or mind set or what I rely on anyway.

[Gremlin]

Once you have a bike with ABS, you come to rely on it, and loose skill in feeling the tyre grip as on a non ABS machine.

Someone is welcome to provide me another bike to test on a corner locking the front wheel, but ABS is not a magical ability not to crash. The laws of physics still apply traction wise, but in low grip situations the ABS is there to try to prevent the wheels locking up. The feel of the road etc is still there.

[Hitcher]

The ABS on the GSX1250FA works. Nice to know but I don't want to have to use it again for a while, thank you very much.

[Big Dave]

on a corner locking the front wheel, but ABS is not a magical ability not to crash..

I prefer to see it as a system that prevents the vehicle operator over-applying the brakes - when they grab a handful under stress. Whether it's on a corner of not is really inconsequential. You can endo a modern bike quite easily in a straight line.

And some ABS systems do 'isolate' the lever.

My suggestion is that owners of bikes with the system find a suitable location and brake hard enough to engage it. Several times. Just so that they know what it feels like when it kicks in. Some do even bounce the lever. If you're in an emergency situation 'WTF Brakes?' is not a welcome addition to the thought process.