ABS the question

[Mr. Peanut]

Luxury... I had a locked rear wheel, sliding front end, a seagull attacking me from above, sunstrike, a Kenworth jumping out from now where, two horses without riders, a hang glider swooping in from my right and a young girl delivering pamphlets...all this just getting out of the driveway...ABS eat shit!....it was all skill level.

I used to dream of having a locked rear wheel! I had no front wheel, no back wheel, and no road. My motorcycle was on fire at 200mph with nothing but my feet for wheels and brakes, while I was being attacked by ninjas with poison darts, a squadron of machine gunners using me for target practice, there was monstertrucks pullin out of side streets, and I had 3 pillions. Stopped just in time, and I hadn't even put my key in the ignition.

But you try telling the youth of today that, and they won't believe you.

[Maha]

I used to dream of having a locked rear wheel! I had no front wheel, no back wheel, and no road. My motorcycle was on fire at 200mph with nothing but my feet for wheels and brakes, while I was being attacked by ninjas with poison darts, a squadron of machine gunners using me for target practice, there was monstertrucks pullin out of side streets, and I had 3 pillions. Stopped just in time, and I hadn't even put my key in the ignition.

But you try telling the youth of today that, and they won't believe you.

Damn! all my rep giving has gone to Akzel and others...but, I hear ya

[SPman]

I think the question should be if you have abs would buy another bike without it

And I think the answer is, if you're buying new, you soon won't have the option!

[jim.cox]

And I think the answer is, if you're buying new, you soon won't have the option!

Unfortuantely true

While I am unlikely to buy a new bike any time soon. I am actively looking for both a new(er) bike and 4WD. And in both cases I'm avoiding ones with ABS

[Big Dave]

>>Brakes that dont work some of the time? Bad idea if you ask me...<<


Probably would be. But that's your Luddite response.

The difference is an ABS is designed to provide optimum efficiency ALL the time.

The trade off of course is you can't do a skid for the kid.

[jim.cox]

The difference is an ABS is designed to provide optimum efficiency ALL the time.

Designed: Yes - with a 10 year 100 000 km (which ever comes first) lifespan

Great until it stops working - and it will - entropy wins in the end

[Rhys]

Designed: Yes - with a 10 year 100 000 km (which ever comes first) lifespan

Yes and your tyres are designed to last for 5-15,000 kms and cost more than a repair to your 10yr old bike with ABS

[Edbear]

Yes and your tyres are designed to last for 5-15,000 kms and cost more than a repair to your 10yr old bike with ABS

Cost is all relative, or is that, relatives cost, or something...

[Big Dave]

Dave's rule of ABS.

Stubborn old coots can pick up their own bike when the front washes out in the gravel dusted on the car park apron.

Edit - That also reminds - I saw a very good homage to 'Captain America' - A dyna that had been mildly raked, but was still a viable day-rider - adorned with appropriate paint and generous bling.

We'd pulled up to take photos. I'd parked on the gravel off a sweeping left-hander, stepped off the Road Glide, and the other photog on a Dyna swung around to park behind me. He hit a patch of marbles, the wheel locked - and it tucked. Came to rest about three feet from me, headlight throwing up stones. I felt miserable for him - pride and joy.

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

[baffa]

Interested to try it.

People seem to think ABS also means anti tip and traction control.

I like it in the car on the road, but hate it on the track. Pulled the fuse for ABS for my car at a track day, and ended up going a lot faster.
On a bike I would need to experience it leant over, to know if it would be benificial or not.

Also agree with everything Katman said, especially the bit where he said you dont need it in Auckland, as we live in New Zealand's best city.

[Gremlin]

Yes and your tyres are designed to last for 5-15,000 kms and cost more than a repair to your 10yr old bike with ABS

Depends if you're adding up the life cost of the tyres over the equivalent distance.

I know of a BMW where the ABS module has failed (reasonably late model, but well outside warranty). $4k and change I think, for a new one, NZ price (likely to be brought in cheaper from overseas).

[Katman]

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

Who knows what a couple more IQ points might have achieved.

[240]

My bike manual warns that in the DRY stopping distance may be longer than non abs so as most of my riding is in the dry I decided to not go the abs way

[Big Dave]

Every practical demo of ABS I've seen first hand has shown the ABS equipped bike stopping in a shorter distance.
They do usually wet the road for the demos though. Not always.

It's not only about stopping distance.
The ABS adds to the 'steerability' of the bike in extreme conditions.
Swerving out of the way like.

[Mr. Peanut]

...the other photog on a Dyna swung around to park behind me. He hit a patch of marbles, the wheel locked - and it tucked. Came to rest about three feet from me, headlight throwing up stones. I felt miserable for him...

On the other hand, the thought of an over-chromed hog kissing tarmac at an embarrassingly low speed brings a warm glow to my heart.

I have no empathy for someone that doesn't pay attention to the road surface.