FJR ABS

[BobG]

I am trying to find out what to expect in a panic brake and swerve maneuver on the FJR from a speed of around 80 mph?

Although I loathe BMW corp, they did get the sequential ABS right. I had practiced many times this type of maneuver with the Beemer, and when I had to use it, I knew what to expect. No nose dive or lock up at all, just hard braking and full control. This even when I slammed the front brake and rear at the same time.

On the second day of owning this bike, my son showed me he can nose wheelie the FJR.

So I find myself hard braking this bike from 80 mph as if it didn't have ABS.

Has anyone tested the ABS?

Can you slam the brakes with out this bike pitching you over the handle bars?

 

[Fencer]

Has anyone tested the ABS?
Can you slam the brakes with out this bike pitching you over the handle bars?

YES

YES, Apply the back brake at the same time.

 

[2006FJR]

Has anyone tested the ABS?
Can you slam the brakes with out this bike pitching you over the handle bars?

YES

YES, Apply the back brake at the same time.

I had to do this at about 90MPH before a 2nd gear turn about 2 weeks ago when I too deep into the turn. I thought for sure I was f***ed but the bike handled perfectly and alloewed me to recover. :clapping: I hit the back and the front as hard as I could and hung for dear life. The bike really brakes well...

 

[Cdogman]

Yep, Someone did a left in front of me on a limited access divided highway at an intersection (the only one for 3 miles) and I will tell you the bike will dive a bit. But it does not try to toss you off. Sumbich can decellerate like catching a wire on a carrier. I pratice it a bit here and there when the road is clear just to know what to expect. Practice and get to know her.

 

[TruWrecks]

You can stoppie on almost any bike, with just a front brake. Well, except maybe a Hardley and a few other cruisers. Even a Beemer will dive the nose on only the front brake. It's called weight transfer. If you apply both brake at the same time it loads both front and back suspension more evely. This will help keep both wheels on the ground for maximum braking. I've had other bikes (without ABS) that could stoppie on only the front brake, but not if I used both. On the Busa I could emergency brake until I could feel the blood rushing to my head, with no stoppie, both brakes applied almost to the point of lock up.

As already said practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. You can never practice enough.

B)

 

[mcatrophy]

I am trying to find out what to expect in a panic brake and swerve maneuver on the FJR from a speed of around 80 mph?<cut>

Can you slam the brakes with out this bike pitching you over the handle bars?

Shortly after getting my '06 AS (AE State-side) I practised full-on braking both in the dry and on a greasy road (light rain onto some old mud). Both were at about 30mph. In both cases, I was very pleasantly surprised at how well the bike behaved. I've since tried them at higher speeds in different conditions, every time without any drama. Almost disappointing.

Yes, some nose diving, but a lot less than my previous mount.

You can just feel the ABS working, but a very mild on-off effect. It is very confidence inspiring.

No likelihood of going over the top.

I would suggest you practise. Start at a lowish speed, say 20, then apply the brakes gradually at first, but rapidly increase pressure until you are sure nothing untoward happens. Then try it slamming either or both brakes on, again at low speed. When you've done this, try it at an increasing speeds. (Of course, make sure no-one else is going to hit you up the rear when you try this!)

As for swerving at the same time, I would also like to know how it behaves. I've not tried it yet, but I will do when I feel right to do so.

 

[Fencer]

As for swerving at the same time, I would also like to know how it behaves. I've not tried it yet, but I will do when I feel right to do so.

if you mean while in a lean, don't do it. MSF teachings here - upright the bike then brake, If needed re-lean, then -re-upright , then re-brake.

Wash, rinse, repeat as necessary.

 

[huron52]

I have stopped fast enough that I know the ABS was working. Very much in control of the event.

My opinon.... Yamaha got the ABS right!

 

[keithaba]

I realized after my crash, I didn't even utilize the ABS because it's my first bike with ABS and I have only been riding it for about 3.5 months. Once I get the rebuild done, I am planning on taking it out and getting used to slamming the brakes so I am prepared for a panic situation next time. This was something I never even thought about until it was too late. I regret not practicing slamming the brakes then entering a turn.

Good topic

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>I am trying to find out what to expect in a panic brake and swerve maneuver on the FJR from a speed of around 80 mph?So I find myself hard braking this bike from 80 mph as if it didn't have ABS.

Can you slam the brakes with out this bike pitching you over the handle bars?

'FJRFencer': "...don't do it"

Correct: it's a tire traction issue -- read-up on MSF's "traction pie". You can use-up most of the available traction in severe braking; leaving little-to-no traction reserve for a swerving manuever.
Braking like you had ABS....? It's a safety device provided in an attempt (by manufacturers) to ameliorate the effects of improper braking (panic grabbing).

Makes me think of driving for air-bag or seat-belt deployment....? :huh: :blink:

Slam on the brakes -- pitch over the h/bars? -- not likely: A severe grab of either brake normally wants to induce a tire skid (which ABS will tend to eliminate). Neither of which (skid or ABS-near-skid-release) will cause the bike to somersault.

'FJRFencer': "....apply the back brake at the same time"

Rear brake use in an emergency stop is of little-to-zero effect -- due to 'weight transfer' (as mentioned in TruWrecks' reply).

'keithaba': I realized after my crash, I didn't even utilize the ABS because it's my first bike with ABS and I have only been riding it for about 3.5 months. Once I get the rebuild done, I am planning on taking it out and getting used to slamming the brakes so I am prepared for a panic situation next time. This was something I never even thought about until it was too late. I regret not practicing slamming the brakes then entering a turn.

Preparing for a panic situation sounds somewhat impossible to me...? Slamming the brakes is not recommended. Better advice (I think?) would be to practice proper braking technique -- which is: a progressive squeeze of the front brake lever. Once weight is transferred to the front tire very serious speed reduction can take place.

Learn and practice proper cornering technique and proper braking technique -- then, situations won't present themselves as often. And, when they do, you'll have the skills to deal with them.

 

[keithaba]

I guess my wording is wrong. I know you can't prepare for a panic situation, but practicing hard braking (hard enough to utilize the ABS) before entering a turn will definately improve your odds in a panic situation. I did not feel the ABS kick in at all on my front or rear brake as before entering the turn, which likely means I could have braked harder, and probably could have slowed down more before entering that turn.

 

[TruWrecks]

As for swerving at the same time

If you're talking about an emergency lane change, you should be fine, but remember to change lanes BEFORE you brake. If you talking about severe braking in a corner, I wrecked my Busa doing that. I doesn't help that I was braking really deep into the corner, leaned the bike over while still on the brakes. I hit the painted line, and the bike just laid down. about 25ft later the bike, and myself, hit the guard rail. $8,600 later the Busa was retired. I guess my entry speed was a bit too high for the conditions. :blink:

 

[sprint_st]

I thought my Triumph Sprint brakes were extremely strong until I got on my 06 FJR. The only way I can describe them is WOW!!! Never had ABS before and actually I have not changed how I brake because of ABS, I just brake. I don't think about it, I just do it. Like the man said, practice, and don't think about what kind of brakes you have. After 40 years of riding my ABS is between my ears. Also, like the man said, if you keep your brakes on in a panic swerve, plan on some new tupperware or worse.

 

[TruWrecks]

DON'T EVER depend on ABS to save your bacon! Practice good riding skills! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice!

Did I say Practice?

While you're at it, get "Twist of the Wrist" and read it over and over. I "Road Tested my Leathers" and walked away from it.

 

[beeroux]

ASAP, take a MSF intermediate class. You'll practice straight line braking and then later you take that out to a deserted road somewhere and significantly increase speed and braking practice.

I once went out to such a road and went up to FJR nominal and with a pile of rocks for a start, I SLAMMED the brakes and then marked with another pile of stones my end. I did this a few more times and realized that for THAT road condition ( weather, temp, etc ) I was stopping within 5' + or _ of the end pile of rocks. Subsequently I aimed my HID's just PAST that end pile of rocks, so now when I see a deer or other hazard at the far sight of the HID's I KNOW with experience and practice I can come to a full stop BEFORE I hit the hazard.

Practice practice practice keeps us upright and with no harm to bike or body.

GZ

 

[mdisher]

Yes, I very much like the ABS...

I tested them completely during EOM. I hit a dropping, off-camber switchback way too fast. (was going way too fast to begin with on a road I didn't know but that's a whole other issue).

As soon as I realized I was in over my head and no amount of throttle was going to save me, I stood the bike up, looked across the road and picked a nice cushy point in the grass away from the rocks and cliff to deposit myself. I got on the binders hard, real hard, and much to my surprise I stopped way shorter than my initial estimation.

Yeah, these brakes are good. I have had exactly three "Oh shit moments" in my biking career, all three of them self inflicted, this being the 3rd. I can absolutely say, without an ounce of doubt that I would not have recovered on the ZX-11 and would have made a hell of a mess.

On the other hand, I might not have been pushing as hard on that bike, so who knows.

Yes, practice makes perfect, and I should practice panic stops more than I do.

 

[Fencer]

. I have had exactly three "Oh shit moments" in my biking career, all three of them self inflicted, this being the 3rd.

Well that explains the smell back in the room that night

 

[Jazzzzz]

I haven't had the chance to ride a bike equipped with ABS yet - is there a pulse felt through the levers when the ABS engages, like the "vibrating brake pedal" syndrome ABS-equipped cars have when the system kicks in? Can't help but imagine that would contribute even further to the pucker factor of an emergency stop.

 

[TruWrecks]

I haven't had the chance to ride a bike equipped with ABS yet - is there a pulse felt through the levers when the ABS engages, like the "vibrating brake pedal" syndrome ABS-equipped cars have when the system kicks in? Can't help but imagine that would contribute even further to the pucker factor of an emergency stop.

My Corvette doesn't pulse the pedal. It does the wheels though. When I test road the 07 it didn't pulse the lever either. I know I was using the ABS because the front wheel stuttered for a very brief moment. It got my attention very quickly.