charismaticmegafauna
Well-known member
I think maximum braking is achieved just before lock-up (skid)?<snip>On a non-ABS bike, if the wheels have not locked up then maximum braking has not been achieved
Actually, you can modulate the brake pressure applied to keep the tire at the threshold of skid.: you can brake harder still until a wheel actually does lock up at which point you should release and re-apply the brake(s) to avoid a potential spill.
When modulating the braking effort, deceleration is still happening (more or less) -- just rolling off the throttle can induce deceleration.Keep in mind that during the "release" the bike is no longer decelerating.
A non-spinning wheel (skidding) does not necessarily cause a crash (spill); conversely, crashes (spills) can occur while the wheels are still spinning.The wheel(s) keep spinning thus avoiding a potential spill.
So can "exploring" maximum braking without ABS -- consequences aren't always dire (sometimes, learning takes place).ABS will allow a rider to "explore" braking limits without dire consequences.
Which proves....? As a grade school student I saw, in a lyceum, a guy hammer a (dry ice treated) banana thru a wooden plank -- never forgot it -- quite impressive!I attended an ABS demonstration a few years ago where a BMW RT went from 60 to 0 on a lightly sand covered road using maximum braking and did so without ANY drama. Quite impressive!
Nice to hear of your level of faith..... :huh:I'm sold on ABS and wouldn't leave home without it.
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