ABS the question

**Edbear** · 10th December 2012, 15:37

Originally Posted by Maha

Learn to park properly will ya Ed?..

you sound like Jill and the kids! I wasn't taking two spaces... Okay, I will try to do better.

Originally Posted by 240

Aaah yeah sorry man now that you mention it I have seen those around, they are a real cool looking car.

Didn't know the name though

Love it! 18 mths and 38,000km later it's the best car I have ever owned by a long shot!

**MrKiwi** · 10th December 2012, 18:28

Originally Posted by Mr. Peanut

Has anyone else noticed the complete lack of women giving a shit?

I think that's because not wanting ABS has more to do with egotistical posturing than rational thought; if it aint that, it's defending your purchase, because we're all fond of our darling and god forbid we ever wake up in the night, drenched in sweat in the realisation that the braking system of our motorcycle might be... inferior!

Pretty much - well said...

**Devil** · 11th December 2012, 14:45

Originally Posted by cassina

I was told BMW ABS can cost $3000 to service ...

What do you mean by 'Service'?

I had the servo assisted ABS on my R1200GSA flushed and tested with diagnostic report for about $150 from a BMW dealer. Thats the recommended 'service' every 2 years or so.

**Graelin** · 17th December 2012, 10:45

Once apon a time I used to race and ride hard, I felt I knew my bike well enough to handle any emergency without locking up wheels.

Now I dont race and dont do a lot of regular heavy braking, therefore I would not be as good in a sudden emergency as I once thought I was.

I picked up my 2000 BMW and 38 Kms later on a wet road a car did a right turn in front of me I was doing about 35KPH. ABS saved me from either going down or hitting the car, yes I just hit the brakes hard and it stopped straight and quickly. This is the only near miss with a car in 60,000kms of riding.

On the other hand my brothers five year old BMW required $4,700 to repair the brakes or disconnect them.

My 1984 Yamaha RZ 350 lost a lot of rear tyre missing a roo tho!

My vote is firmly in the ABS camp.

**swbarnett** · 17th December 2012, 14:49

There is something that may have a real influence on the relative merits of ABS that I don't think has been considered.

The comparisons tests between ABS and non-ABS braking using highly experienced riders show that ABS can out-brake non-ABS. However, these tests are all under very controlled conditions. The riders know they are about to perform an emergency stop. This puts the brain in a very different state than when the need for an emergency stop is not expected. In a true emergency situation a rider's sub-conscious mind comes much more into play. It just might be possible that an intuitive rider can out-brake ABS under real world conditions.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 17th December 2012, 15:29

Originally Posted by Edbear

Funny to note that all the naysayers are those who have never had it or used it, whereas all those who have used it or tested it are all for it. But that's the KB way I guess.
:

I've ridden dozens of bikes with it but I'm not all for it.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 17th December 2012, 15:40

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I reckon ABS would have saved it. At 10kph.

Anyone that crashes a motorcycle like that at 10kph should give it away. I don't care how bad the surface was...ice I might forgive.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 17th December 2012, 15:45

Originally Posted by Edbear

You mean the KB "experts" of course...

the real experts are in favour of it.

Not all of 'em Ed.

**george formby** · 17th December 2012, 16:06

Originally Posted by swbarnett

There is something that may have a real influence on the relative merits of ABS that I don't think has been considered.

The comparisons tests between ABS and non-ABS braking using highly experienced riders show that ABS can out-brake non-ABS. However, these tests are all under very controlled conditions. The riders know they are about to perform an emergency stop. This puts the brain in a very different state than when the need for an emergency stop is not expected. In a true emergency situation a rider's sub-conscious mind comes much more into play. It just might be possible that an intuitive rider can out-brake ABS under real world conditions.

Might being the operative word. And you do have a point, when it comes down to that last skerrick of friction to haul your ass up which will perform best?
I have started practicing braking and consequently learned a lot about me & my bike. Non ABS, not a lot of brakes either really, but enough and I have a weak neck.
If the technology will save my ass when the random incident happens on a marginally grippy piece of road or even give me that fraction of a second to bruise myself rather than be broken then I'm all for it.
I can't afford big servicing costs so if that was the case then it would be a big consideration if buying an ABS bike, I would rather spend the money on petrol. ABS is a relatively small thing in the big scheme of riding a bike but a bit safer is a bit better.

**Big Dave** · 17th December 2012, 16:12

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Anyone that crashes a motorcycle like that at 10kph should give it away. I don't care how bad the surface was...ice I might forgive.

You wouldn't have a business.

**GrayWolf** · 17th December 2012, 16:53

Originally Posted by swbarnett

There is something that may have a real influence on the relative merits of ABS that I don't think has been considered.

The comparisons tests between ABS and non-ABS braking using highly experienced riders show that ABS can out-brake non-ABS. However, these tests are all under very controlled conditions. The riders know they are about to perform an emergency stop. This puts the brain in a very different state than when the need for an emergency stop is not expected. In a true emergency situation a rider's sub-conscious mind comes much more into play. It just might be possible that an intuitive rider can out-brake ABS under real world conditions.

I believe (heard) andrew Templeton found he could outbrake his ABS bike on a non ABS one... this may be true? Reality is, how many of us are as competent AS Andrew? ABS should be and is a last ditch ass saver. it's like the traction control, anti roll, etc etc on cars, all very good till you push the vehicle beyond the ability of the computers to save your stupid arse. Ride/drive like you have none of them, then when you Do need them? They perform as they should (hopefully).

**Crasherfromwayback** · 17th December 2012, 17:20

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

I believe (heard) andrew Templeton found he could outbrake his ABS bike on a non ABS one... this may be true? Reality is, how many of us are as competent AS Andrew?).

Hopefully quite a few.

**pzkpfw** · 21st December 2012, 10:28

Flippety flip flop!

Just had a postie step out in front of my car.

(He was on left side of road, on a bit where there was no footpath. He was obscured by the long grass on the bank that was right up to the edge of the road, between me and him. He looked up the road and stepped out - didn't look my way. On the other hand, my speed at that time may have crept a bit over 50 and I had just changed the CD that was playing (a changer, no physical CD swapped, but still a bit distracting). Fault? Wouldn't matter either way if he'd been made a red smear on the road.)

My instinct was simply to stop and stop fast. That meant stamping hard on the brake pedal. I felt the ABS kick back a little, and I stopped in plenty of time. Friendly wave passed back and forth, and I was on my way.

An expert driver may have stopped even quicker, without use of ABS, but I'm happy * to admit that I'm no expert driver or rider. Glad my car stops quick, regardless (more or less) of what I do.

(* in the sense that I'm not happy that I'm not an "expert", but more that I'm happy to admit that I'm not, as opposed to many keyboard warrior types. (Not pointing the finger at anyone).)