Maybe other people had other experiences, but since I'm not a dirt rider, the ABS on the FJR was GREATLY appreciated by me on an unpaved road in some of my favorite riding locations. For me, it really helped--because I don't know how to ride dirt bikes.
To answer the ?, Yes the ABS on gravel, sand etc... I jabbed on the rear coming to the corner where teh gravel meets the pavement. The wheel did lock up then released, locked up again then released. It is certianly not ANTI-lock but it will give you more control in certian situations.
As a side note: I read somewhere that if you take your bike w/ abs to the track that some will make you disable the abs.
I am impressed with the ABS and they do work at slow speeds...to an extent. 10mph they definitely work. 5 mph and they still work. I am not sure how they work, but it seems like there must be some kind of computer program determing forward velocity vs. wheel speed to determine when ABS should/should not kick in. Obviously we have to stop sometime...anyone have any clue how this system really works?
My ABS has only been activated when I was actually trying to get it to work. About once a month I go do braking practice to make sure I know where the ABS limits are as I prefer not to be completely suprised when they kick in. The back is much easier to get to trigger than the front. The front can handle very hard braking before it activates. However, again, even with the back brake I have only had it trigger when I tried to get it to go...I guess I'm a mellow rider
Nope. Application is instantaneous. And sensitive. My rear ABS activates a lot when I'm hard on the brakes and downshifting. As soon as I let the clutch out, I get a quick little chatter out of the rear till I modulate some.
I am not sure how they work, but it seems like there must be some kind of computer program determing forward velocity vs. wheel speed to determine when ABS should/should not kick in.
It is my limited understanding that the ABS will kick in when there is a difference in wheel speed between the front and rear. So when you stab the rear on gravel or similar loose conditions the computer will release the brake then re-engage. This runs off of the wheel sensors which monitor the wheel speed several times per second. It's not exactally like your car's ABS bucause the bike's brakes run off of hydrolics therefore is limited in comparrison.
