ABS, Can I perminantly dissable it?

[Gecko]

I read a test a while back where they lined up an RT with ABS and one without and set them off down a long straight. The ABS stopped meters further down the track than the non-ABS which in the dry could be the difference between life and death. Then the track was made nice and wet and guess what......same thing - the non ABS bike stopped way sooner. Ok I know in the real world you will probably not be stopping in a nice straight line but it was an interesting eye opener nonetheless.
I haven't got ABS and for the life of me I can't remember ever locking up the wheels under braking. I don't ride flat out like a looney but I do enjoy myself and try and keep things within my limits of control. I'm can imagine that ABS can instill a false sense of security - a bit like seatbelts in a car - but if you ride within your own capabilities and have 360 degree all round vision you shouldn't need ABS anyway

 

[Paul Wakefield]

and have 360 degree all round vision

and X ray vision of course to see the deer about to leap through the hedge.

Paul

 

[Bob Jeffries]

I had a big accident 18 months ago, the first on a road bike in over 30 years of biking (plenty off-road but they don’t usually hurt too much). Only just survived it and can't remember anything from about 2 sec before to 8 days after.

I thought I was very observant and aware of pretty much anything that could possibly catch me out, I was an experienced biker - WRONG.

From the photo's taken by the police and my brother it's apparent that she did something even all my experience couldn't predict and I must have instinctively grabbed all the brakes I could find - the skid marks are typical ABS - skid - gap - skid - gap etc etc. The ABS didn't stop me hitting her car but it did scrub off enough speed that I'm still here, even if it was a close call.

I've got a new GS now and I wouldn't be without the ABS, but each to their own, each of us must make up our own mind and then (hopefully) live with the consequences.

 

[guitarman]

I dunno why but this thread disturbs me. Perhaps it's because I don't ride hard enough and that after 30 years riding I'm obviously not sensitive enough to pick up when the ABS kicks in. Yes, that's it, I'm just not the riding god I thought I was and I'm now so depressed.

Still at least the top box is big enough for me pipe and slippers.

Take care out there.

Cheers

Dick

 

[richie]

Guitarman, Maybe it never has kicked in. I like having ABS and I don't intend to remove mine. Haven't you ever braked on hard so the abs kicks in. I do every now and then. Lets me know its still working. I don't know about the newer models. But when my ABS kicks in you definatly know that its "kicked in"

Last time I changed my brake fluid I did this check to make sure that all was OK

 

[jimbo]

Oddly enough on the whole I agree with MRIfan.
Whilst far from expert on two wheels, I've done a whole load more with 4 including some motorsport.
I dislike ABS on a car intensely, nasty thing stopping me know exactly whats going on. I would always choose no ABS.

On a bike I have less experience and prefer the security of ABS, but I was well disappointed with it when I got it, nasty crude stuff (I'm pre-servo). Not so much pulsing as slow on and off. you can feel the brakes release and the deceleration reduce on a dry road, its bollux. as MRIfan says it get triggered by complete red herrings sometimes.

I can well understand an experienced rider with confidence preferring to trust his slower, but well informed instincts, than the fast but dumb computers.

 

[guitarman]

Guitarman, Maybe it never has kicked in. I like having ABS and I don't intend to remove mine. Haven't you ever braked on hard so the abs kicks in. I do every now and then. Lets me know its still working. I don't know about the newer models. But when my ABS kicks in you definatly know that its "kicked in"

Last time I changed my brake fluid I did this check to make sure that all was OK

I've never noticed anything like I've read here but then again I don't remember ever having to brake that hard in the past 3 years. It's certainly not a problem for me. In fact after having a think about it, it seems to me that if you're having to brake hard enough in normal riding (not an emergency) to set the ABS going then either the ABS is not set up correctly or there is just the possibility that you might be travelling too fast for the conditions. But then again as I'm such a wuss what would I know?

Off subject a little .... I had a Guzzi with linked brakes before the GS and they were amazing. Progressive, controlled braking, and all from the rear pedal.

Cheers

Dick

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

Call me a control freak

I don't have ABS and I am regularly braking hard. Not because I am always riding like a nutter ;-) but because I permanently like to be testing the limits of braking and grip, and to be permanently practising the habit of braking progresively and hard. This way I feel like I am keeping my skills well honed, and feel like I am in total control of my bike. As a result, I won't get lazy through having a percieved 'fail-safe, or 'safety-net' (which ABS isn't) causing me to relax my concentration. (I'm not saying you ABS'ers are lazy riders, just that I probably would be if I had ABS ).

I don't think there is a definative 'right' or 'wrong' on this issue, just each to their own...

pr0ne

 

[guitarman]

Re: Call me a control freak

I don't have ABS and I am regularly braking hard. Not because I am always riding like a nutter ;-) but because I permanently like to be testing the limits of braking and grip, and to be permanently practising the habit of braking progresively and hard. This way I feel like I am keeping my skills well honed, and feel like I am in total control of my bike. As a result, I won't get lazy through having a percieved 'fail-safe, or 'safety-net' (which ABS isn't) causing me to relax my concentration. (I'm not saying you ABS'ers are lazy riders, just that I probably would be if I had ABS ).

I don't think there is a definative 'right' or 'wrong' on this issue, just each to their own...

pr0ne

OK, "You're a control freak".

Blimey, you must get through some pads and tyres. Remind me not buy your bike either.

Each to their own indeed.

On a serious note I don't think I'm lazy. I'm what you might call a "cautious" rider. Being aware of what you're doing when you're riding is very important (stating the obvious) but I've never felt the need to continually validate my braking skills every time I ride (ABS or no ABS). I guess that's just me.

Cheers

Dick

Cheers

Dick

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

Blimey, you must get through some pads and tyres. Remind me not buy your bike either.

i do, and i wouldn't either

 

[guitarman]

i do, and i wouldn't either

 

[Spout]

ABS caught me out today for the first time.
Moderate to hard braking over a wide 'sleeping policeman'/pedestrian ramp (the car infront had unecessarily stopped to let traffic through) and the ABS kicked in.
I travelled a good three or four metres further than I expected before I stopped
On dry roads the bike can be pulled up really quickly without the ABS kicking in - the brakes feel normal. But the bump obviously triggered them (needlessly in this case) making them less efficient.
On damp and slippery conditions (especially at speed) then I think the ABS brakes are a useful addition. Just hope I don't have to rely on them.

 

[Ming]

I dont think ABS makes you lazy !!

think i am quite good on the brakes even after a year on evo abs.

but in the end i think its a personnal choice (or should be )

 

[Deleted Member MM]

think i am quite good on the brakes even after a year on evo abs.

Bit of an understatement Impressive pic's

 

[Ming]

You are too kind !! but thanks