ABS saved my butt

[Dan23]

>>I know it helped because in the last few moments with maximum force applied, I heard that clickity click sound of my front wheel letting go from max force being applied .<<

Ok... I'll accept that. But, one day of ownership of an ABS equipped motorcycle has confirmed my suspicion that ABS does not deserve the praise many heap upon it. I activated the ABS on my FJR coming downhill on my gravel driveway and *in my opinion* the ABS kicked in WAY too early. I can generate a much stronger CONTROLLABLE braking force on my other, non-ABS motorcycle in the same situation.

My skills are not world-class, but I do have fairly extensive riding experience. I've braked VERY hard, during many unexpected "emergencies", and retained composure to moderate at-the-limit braking enough to allow steering around an obstacle when necessary. I'm not, you'll correctly conclude, an ABS fan... but I'm still glad it's on the FJR.

I'm planning some ABS experimenting to flesh out what ABS can and cannot do for us. More later... going in search of the test situation.

 

[XLR8]

So Rhody says ABS helped him out and it turns in to a debate about ABS. Incredible. It's his story so just go with it. Jeezus.

We don't need anymore tests about what ABS can and can't do for us. It's been well covered and beat to a pulp. If you like ABS, get it. If you don't like ABS, don't buy it. I am tired of hearing from all the insecure riders of the world about how they can stop faster than superman without ABS. Maybe they can. Nobody gives a ****!

People can beat their chest all they want about ABS or no ABS but one thing is true.

There is absolutely no reason why having ABS on your bike prevents you from excercising proper braking technique. You still can and should practice good technique.

-r

 

[Timbo2015]

Today I practiced hard braking, determined to have my front ABS kick in for the first time. I got up to speed, and kept increasing front brake pressure (I did not touch the rear brake) until I felt it kick in. There was no noise, either from the tire squealing or from the ABS, I just felt the lever rapidly pulsing. That is unlike the rear ABS, which makes a loud chattering noise when it activates.

Each time I did it, I went back to look at the road. Each time, there was a skinny black skid mark, 30-50 feet long. You can complain ABS kicks in too early, but those skid marks tell me it was fairly close to the edge.

 

[weekend rider]

I have abs and would not be with out it. I was riding today for a short trip and a car pulled over to my side of the road at an intersection , I clamped on my brakes for a panic stop from about 70 mph and xtra glad I had abs. the cager was returning from the Indian casino probablelly drinking.

Talk all you want about how abs does not do this or that and that is ok. Until you have them and use them you wwil not appreciate them . So quit you unfounded speculation on how good or not so good they are . You also must have some riding skills to go along with them

 

[Woodstock]

Logic and good technique still apply. Just because you have ABS does not mean you can slam on the binders in a corner!

Ah, ****. Now you tell me. :angry2:

 

[XLR8]

Logic and good technique still apply. Just because you have ABS does not mean you can slam on the binders in a corner!

Ah, ****. Now you tell me. :angry2:

Hey someone asked a few posts ago. Didn't sound like he was joking.

-r

 

[Bearly Flying]

I was riding today for a short trip and a car pulled over to my side of the road at an intersection , I clamped on my brakes for a panic stop from about 70 mph and xtra glad I didn't have abs. the cager was returning from the Indian casino probablelly drinking. Stopped mere inches from the cage, The extra distance ABS would have taken to stop would have probably killed me and my whole family. Sure glad we still have some choice in this world...........

Give it a freaking rest... If you like ABS fine, if you don't fine, don't try to force your particular view on the rest of the world.... We have enough of those already.

 

[Dan23]

>>Give it a freaking rest... If you like ABS fine, if you don't fine, don't try to force your particular view on the rest of the world.... We have enough of those already.<<

Agree. Anecdotes count for little, escept if ABS helped on a slippery surface. If the pavement is clean and dry and the ABS kicks in while stopping quickly, you need more than ABS.

>>We don't need anymore tests about what ABS can and can't do for us. It's been well covered and beat to a pulp. If you like ABS, get it. If you don't like ABS, don't buy it. I am tired of hearing from all the insecure riders of the world about how they can stop faster than superman without ABS. Maybe they can. Nobody gives a ****!<<

If the topic gives you stress, don't read it.

 

[weekend rider]

I trully do say we live in a free country with free speech............. :clapping:

 

[Mike-H]

I trully do say we live in a free country with free speech............. :clapping:

Your the same guy that as a kid that just had to hit the wasps nest with a stick....didn't you....go ahead admit it....you like causing s@#t right ....just got to stir the pot don't you....BAD weekend rider....BAD

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>....kept increasing front brake pressure until I felt it kick in. There was no noise, either from the tire squealing or from the ABS, I just felt the lever rapidly pulsing.

Each time I did it, I went back to look at the road. Each time, there was a skinny black skid mark, 30-50 feet long. You can complain ABS kicks in too early, but those skid marks tell me it was fairly close to the edge.

Timbo, I can't see the black skid marks you're describing -- but, it sounds like you're "over the edge". The way I understand it: maximum braking is achieved just before the tire skids -- approaching the limit of adhesion. What you appear to be describing is a system that cycles between locked & skidding and off? Skid marks on the road used to be measured by the highway patrol (at crash sites) -- I don't think that counts for effective braking these days?

I may not be understanding your post correctly? But, if I am -- it sounds like the ABS system you've got isn't doing you any favors.....

"Approaching the limit of tire adhesion" is a condition of subtle feel probably only offered to the skilled/experienced operator and maybe not at all available to diodes & transistors?

 

[rocketdoc]

Y'know, I started reading this post and thought, 'here we go again' . Basic facts still apply, under full braking the non-abs will stop faster on a dry road, but on wet or loose gravel the abs will out brake it hands down. The biggest difference is, you can still steer the abs bike under full braking allowing you to find the hole if things are getting ugly. Only every engaged the front once and steered around the ****** that I would have otherwise wacked.

The FJR has great brakes, whatever type you have, practice often so you can use them effectively when you need them most.

Ride safe.

 

[odot]

This is too funny...christ....picked the wrong week to stop freebasing heroin!

 

[Timbo2015]

This is a reply to Charasmatic:

I can clarify a bit. The skidmarks I noted in the road where not a deep black as you would get with a locked wheel. They were faint, and in some cases you had to be looking at them from the right direction to see them, but they were definately there. I would be interested if others find these faint marks after a front wheel ABS test. I suppose tire model and road type affect this, too. I have Avon tires, by the way.

The dynamics of tire traction are not as simple as skidding or not skidding. In fact, anytime a tire is generating traction, it is slipping to some degree. If memory serves, peak traction occurs somewhere around 10% slip. If the ABS system keeps the slip at 5%, I would imagine that would tend to leave some kind of mark on the road.

As far as the ABS cycling between skidding and not skidding, yes, that is how it works, with skidding being somewhat of a gray area as determined by the ABS system.

After trying out the ABS a few times, I conclude it is definately doing me favors. I assume from your comments you either don't have the ABS model, or haven't yet tested it out.

 

[madmike2]

This is too funny...christ....picked the wrong week to stop freebasing heroin!

The inmates have been full of jocularity all weekend, it must be twisted humor because we should be way past "serious" and "intense" at this point. Why not move this to the "Never Ending Childish Flame-on Pointless Thread page?

Since there isn't anything anyone can add about this subject that will either temporarily or permanently change someone else's mind,

[SIZE=14pt]Would you guys give this a rest?!?[/SIZE]

:blink: :glare:

 

[Mike-H]

+1 :agree:

 

[odot]

mama told me....when I was young...sit beside me..my only son...and listen closely ....to what I say...and if you do this...it will help you...some sunny day....oh take your time...don't live too fast....troubles will come and they will pass...find a woman...and you'll find love...and don't forget son...bla blah blahhhh......

 

[fjrchik]

mama told me....when I was young...sit beside me..my only son...and listen closely ....to what I say...and if you do this...it will help you...some sunny day....oh take your time...don't live too fast....troubles will come and they will pass...find a woman...and you'll find love...and don't forget son...bla blah blahhhh......

what does mama think about ABS??