ABS v Non ABS

[Gremlin]

Agreed on the knowing how it feels. The R1200GSA definitely has feedback through the levers when the ABS is engaged.

The easiest way to get the ABS engaged is on gravel or semi-loose surfaces, as it takes a fair bit to get the ABS engaging in a way that you can easily feel it.

[Rhys]

Formula 1 band ABS in 1993 because drivers could brake later into corners!
If professional drivers get an advantage from ABS I am shore us ammeters will as well

[NordieBoy]

If professional drivers get an advantage from ABS I am shore us ammeters will as well

Speak for yourself. I sense some resistance.

[Big Dave]

Agreed on the knowing how it feels. The R1200GSA definitely has feedback through the levers when the ABS is engaged.

BMW's is the best system. Like Mr Devil said - servo assist or whatever that jargon is.

Some of the less sophisticated ones can have the ol' lever rockin'.

[Big Dave]

Speak for yourself. I sense some resistance.

New voodoo. I was well skeptical till it saved mah bacooon on a test bike and then I crashed mine not long after - when I probably wouldn't have if it was fitted.

[NordieBoy]

New voodoo. I was well skeptical till it saved mah bacooon on a test bike and then I crashed mine not long after - when I probably wouldn't have if it was fitted.

"ammeters", "resistance"...

Too subtle maybe

[Big Dave]

"ammeters", "resistance"...

Too subtle maybe

Sorry - wasn't paying enough attention.
Tigers 0 - Broncos 6

[YellowDog]

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.

My bike has ABS. It was a wife imposed condition of getting a new bike. This limited my choice considerably. I always believed that I had my own in built ABS and was very good at stopping in the wet.

Like Big Dave says, it's only there for an emergency situation. My ABS has saved my arse twice in two unforseeable emergency situations in 3 years. Once would have been enough to change my mind about ABS.

When commenting over the death of a friend who was killed trying to avoid a certain crash; someone on here commented with words to the effect of "what are you supposed to do, centre punch the idiot pulling out". My riding experience says "YES" to that question as I believe it to be the safest option. One of the two incidents where ABS saved my arse was a car pulling directly into my path. I was doing IRO 80kph. My attempted centre puch manoeuvre was interrupted by me stopping about 80mm from the now stopped car. I was really angy, but managed to contain myself after relaising that the guy was really old and the fact that I was also going too fast.

The only drawback is that I am now a great deal more confident in the wet than I used to be, so I guess I do slightly rely on ABS as a safety net for wet riding, but I would see it as a personal failure if I felt the ABS cutting in as a result of my over confidence.

Don't forget, ABS won't stop you slipping sideways across the road into the path of another vehicle. If you push any bike beyond its limits for the conditions, ABS can't help you. It's the straight line emergency braking and the real slippy stuff at low speeds where ABS comes into its own. The wheels won't lock, so you can do some real fancy manoeuvres to get you out of trouble; even on misjudged corners where you need to use the back brake to lose speed.

My next bike will have ABS too

[Gremlin]

BMW's is the best system. Like Mr Devil said - servo assist or whatever that jargon is.

Some of the less sophisticated ones can have the ol' lever rockin'.

Mr Devil's servo assist is old hat. The problem was when you powered the bike off, you had bugger all braking. As he described it, you could pile into a garage door at 10kph. No idea on the specifics of the newer ones, but my brakes definitely work when the bike is off. Along with ABS, you also have linked front and rear for bias control.

[superman]

So ABS and Steering Dampers definitely something to look forward to?

[Gremlin]

So ABS and Steering Dampers definitely something to look forward to?

And traction control that is smart enough to know when you're in a wheelie situation and fix it for you...

And don't forget the electronic suspension, that you can adjust at the touch of a button, to suit 1 up, 1 up with luggage, or 2 up. Flick it to off road mode (small bumps or rougher terrain) and it will raise the ride height by a couple of inches.

It actually takes a little while to get to grips with all the adjustments

[Taz]

Drum brakes = poor mans ABS.

[NordieBoy]

Drum brakes = poor mans ABS.

I can lock them alright. They're a bit worn so it's either off or locked...
On the rear that it.

On the front they could be termed ASB...

[BMWST?]

Drum brakes = poor mans ABS.

you obviuosly havent had decent drum brakes then.My ol honda 175 had a tls front brake and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.They may be even worse at locking a front wheel in the wet as they have a self servo effect at lower speeds.The disadvantage with even the most powerful drum brakes are heat build up ,weight and cost.

[Big Dave]

And traction control that is smart enough to know when you're in a wheelie situation and fix it for you...

A

Henry told me you can dial the height of the wheelie into the new BMW traction control systems.

I wheelied the GS1200 with it engaged, not a very pleasant experience, it stutters the engine and put it back on the deck again promptly. Got reasonable altitude first though.

But re ABS - not sure what the current acronym is, but the latest BMW set up is the best system for rider feedback when it's engaged.