ABS

[Grosvenor]

Interesting Vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA8zk_zkdyE&feature=player_embedded

[ian789]

That looks fun!

[Noxious89123]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsRnzVu0Rko

Even more interesting. Notice how on the first bike, the front end bobs up and down as the brakes release and reapply. The honda just stops smoothly as if the ABS wasn't even there.

I have to say, riding in the wet is something I really hate. I have very little confidence in the braking power of my bike in wet conditions, no helped by the fact that I dumped my bike in the wet when having to stop quickly for a blind moron in a car.

Although on the other side of that, I was able to brake incredibly hard, much harder than I thought I could, before the wheel locked. But once the front locks, there is no time at all to react to it, it's just BANG followed by "why am I on the ground?"
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Grosvenor]

I must admit that neither of my bikes have abs, but it is something I'm giving very serious thought too for my next bike.

I was always of the opinion that a good rider shouldn't need it, but after a recent off, I think that no matter how experienced we are, the fact is that in the heat of the moment in a panic brake situation on wet roads, not many of us can think quickly enough to respond properly and as our friend above pointed out, the point between locking the front on a wet road, and being on your arse can be a split second.

Years ago I worked as a courier in London and one of our guys had this scenario happen when a pedestrian ran out, but unfortunately for him he went down and slid to the opposite side of the road, ending up under the wheels of a National Express coach.
Of course he was very dead.

He was a very experienced rider, having worked as a courier for over 20 years.

I think ABS is a good idea and apparently modern systems do not, as they have been criticised for in the past, increase your stopping distances.

[Noxious89123]

Even if you can teach yourself not to panic brake, it's very difficult to use maximum braking in the wet. If I have to brake suddenly, my reaction is to actually brake very softly. It's not something I intentionally do, it's just how I react. It's rather useful though, as once my brain catches up with what's going on, I can then decide how hard to squeeze.

ABS just means that you can, with the utmost confidence, apply the maximum braking power possibly without fear of crashing.

If the next bike I own has the option of ABS, I will definitely go for it. Thing is, I wouldn't choose a bike specifically because it has ABS. Most older bikes don't have it, so until 2008~onwards bikes are classed as "old" I won't be able to afford a nice bike that has ABS.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Grosvenor]

[Acemastr]

no, he says UNTIL 2008 and onwards bikes are CONSIDERED old
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Grosvenor]

[johnsmith222]

[Grosvenor]

You were lucky.
In the dry you may get away with it, but lock the front in the wet, and nine times out of then you will go down almost instantly.

[silky666]

I am surprised at the lack of:
"I prefer the feel of normal brakes and can stop quicker than any abs (blah blah feed in brakes.. blah blah feel the road.. blah blah) "

Its a sign of the times I guess.
The pseudo racers that think they are the daddy on the road have always taken the stance that because ABS is no good for racing, that they dont need it and can ride faster without it on the road.
You know the ones ... people with 'wrist bands' around their brake reservoir ... then saying its there to stop sunlight degrading the fluid and/or to keep the fluid warm

But for the past 2 years, even Performance Bikes et al have been saying "you cant beat abs on the road ".
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[Acemastr]

[loply]

The fact is that you can't always know how much grip is available from the road surface, it may even vary foot by foot, so maximum braking without ABS is always a question of "how far do you want to risk it."

People need to understand braking without ABS, but then be given ABS.

I had an off caused by hitting a sudden ridge in the road (where one surface changed to another), whilst braking. It was enough to induce a locked wheel and since I was sitting to one side (preparing to corner) I hit the deck pretty damn quick. Either ABS or noticing the severity of the ridge would have prevented this- ABS can be counted on, the latter only hoped for.
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Renton]

I think for my next bike I will certainly be looking for ABS.

After locking the front up 2 years ago, cue sliding in to the side of a transit that pulled out in front of me, I have no confidence in my front brake anymore.
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This is my motorcycle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.
Without me, my motorcycle is useless. Without my motorcycle, I am useless.

[ulster exile]

In the video, it almost looks like the rider is placing his weight on the bars when braking heavily on the non ABS version emphasizing the effect of locking the front wheel which doesn't make the comparison with the ABS version all that fair.

[nowhere.elysium]

My only experience of ABS is in cars, and it feels like you've trod on a vibrator - I'm not a fan of having that much artificial* feedback through the brakes.
I'm not going to deny that they stop the car well, though.


*It's not artificial per se, given that the brake is doing exactly what it reports though the pedal/lever, but it's just having the system discernibly seize control that I don't like. Probably because it's a pretty strong hint that I've buggered things up a bit.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Clanger]

[L4Isoside]

[c-m]

Wasn't there a test done with one of the BMW bikes with ABS and it was able to stop some 4 metres quicker than a honda Civic

[Suntan Sid]

[evoboy]

Ive locked the front going in a straightline even with ABS when doing 60mph? (Granted it was on a rental 250 scooter, but even so) Front tucked but i stayed on.... Ive only been riding on the road for 3 years, guess some pick it up quicker than others?

The ABS on the rental Bandit650 i have at the mo is awful. It feels more dangerous as it seems to reduce the braking effect, like it cuts in too soon... More so on the rear brake, so the braking distance is increased and its caught me out a few times.
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