Riding with ABS

[lesliec]

Hi, boys and girls. I've been searching the forums in case somebody else has asked this question. No luck, so here we go ...
Next week I'm off to Chch to hire a BMW F650GS for a week of tootling about the South Island (blizzards permitting, first stop is Arthur's Pass). The bike will (probably) have ABS, and my question is around what difference ABS makes, or should make, to one's riding technique. In a car with ABS the advice is essentially to stand on the brakes and steer around trouble. Same on a bike? And am I right in thinking the time to turn the ABS off is when you hit gravel, as a bit of lockup is good to help the tyres cut through the loose stuff down to something they can grip?
I'll be interested in your advice and comments.

[Ixion]

Right on both counts. In normal riding ABS makes no difference whatsoever. But when the proverbial hits the proverbial, you can just brake to the max without having to worry about modulating.

Yes, you can TO SOME EXTENT swerve and brake at the same time. But not so much as in a car. Don't rely on it, the physics of car and bike si different.

I can't turn mine off in gravel, but if I could I would, for the reasons you say.

[NordieBoy]

Next week you probably won't be able to stop at Arthurs Pass.
You'll just skid right on past

If you're used to ABS then use it on the seal and turn it off on gravel but if you're not used to it then just leave it off all the time.

Brake and steer will get you into trouble unless it's only the back brake you're using.

I wouldn't mind trying an ABS equipped adventure bike in the gravel as I don't lock up the brakes anyway and it would be interesting to see how it compares.

[pete376403]

I rode a 650 Dakar over Danseys to the 2007 Brass. The ABS was on, mainly because I didn't know how to turn it off but I found it was very reassuring to be able to hit the brakes without worrying about locking - as it was a borrowed bike I was very concious of not wanting to drop it

[young1]

I always turn the ABS off in the gravel. I had an "interesting" experience last year after stopping to take a photo (so when I started the bike again the ABS was back on) trying to slow for a tight corner in wet mud / gravel. #$@# hardly anything happened, I just got round, after changing my pants I remembered to turn the ABS off again. I was one up but had panniers on the back loaded.

On the seal I leave it on.

[lesliec]

Thanks for your comments, guys. Maybe I'll do some braking practice on those nice, straight, empty Canterbury roads before I go too far.
The problem with this holiday is, when I come back I'll want my own adventure bike. Any charitably-inclined Lotto winners out here?

[Zukin]

Ok on the 650 follow these instructions to turn it on and off (if it has it, there is a switch near the clamps of the handlebars)

It always start in the ABS on position

To Turn off (for gravel)
Bike in neutral, then hold front brake in, and hold switch until red ABS light on the dash flashes, then release button
The light will continue to flash

To turn it on
Turn bike off and back on and its done

If you should stall in when the ABS is off, it will remain off when you restart it

Have fun

[banditrider]

I haven't experienced ABS on a dual-purpose but have had some good and bad experiences with it on the Connie.

First the not so good, coming into bumpy corners hard on the brakes the ABS sometimes comes into play (probably as the front wheel may get a bit light hitting a bump and the wheel may even lock for a fraction of a second). Not that good loosing braking when you're in a hurry to slow down. I've got used to it and take more care now.

But, in the wet (very) on the GC last year it more than likely saved me from a bin in the middle of the night and in the middle of nowhere. Actually slid the front but was able to brake hard once the bike was upright again and then ride off up the road thinking that ABS is pretty good...

Get used to the way it operates, hope you never need it and take care!

[Ragingrob]

I ride with abs 24/7, helps with moving the bike around using my torso. Had to do a lot of crunches to get them though!

[NordieBoy]

I ride with abs 24/7, helps with moving the bike around using my torso. Had to do a lot of crunches to get them though!

I've got anti-abs. Had to eat lots of crunchies to get them though!

[_Shrek_]

Next week you probably won't be able to stop at Arthurs Pass.
You'll just skid right on past

If you're used to ABS then use it on the seal and turn it off on gravel but if you're not used to it then just leave it off all the time.

Brake and steer will get you into trouble unless it's only the back brake you're using.

I wouldn't mind trying an ABS equipped adventure bike in the gravel as I don't lock up the brakes anyway and it would be interesting to see how it compares.

I tryed ABS on adventure bike great on the seal but boy am i glad my bike dont have it not good on metal at speed to many O moments

[Racing Dave]

I think you'd be mad to have ABS operating on any non-sealed surface. You might feel that you're better off not being able to lock the brakes, and thus risk a fall, but in my opinion, your stopping distance is massively increased, and control considerably diminished.

I rode the new BMW F650GS (800) to this year's Brass Monkey, via Mackenzie, Hakataramea and Danseys Passes both ways. This was Canterbury Rides' demonstrator, and has the optional ABS. Like all such bikes, the default setting is ABS working, but it can be switched off using the handlebar switch.

As I prefer to never have ABS, I found the best method of dealing with it was to unplug the front wheel-speed sensor (the speedo runs of the rear sensor) and there was never a time that the electronic interference was missed. The brakes on this bike are perfect for both road and off-road, and give excellent power, feedback and modulation. Sometimes a skid is useful, and with ABS you lose that option.