ABS does it work?

[Mikefirefighter]

It's all in the title really.

On a two wheels vehicle does it work as it does on a car?
What happends if your not going in a straight line?

If you have an ABS bike how often if ever has the
system engaged?

 

[Slowdown]

He he he.

I did the BMW Off road school on an XCountry. I didn't think to see if it had ABS so didn't think to turn it off. And I wasn't the only one.

Oh how the instructor laughed when he was trying to get us to do skid exercises on loose gravel.

 

[Pukmeister]

When the ABS cuts in for the first time at speed, you'll shit yerself.

 

[Martinism]

Hi i live on a dirt track and if you apply the rear break hard enough you can feel the system kick in. I havent tried it with the front yet but i suppose if someone pulls out on you and you try to stop as quick as you can the system would help.

 

[Boddabing!!]

It's all in the title really.

On a two wheels vehicle does it work as it does on a car?
What happends if your not going in a straight line?

If you have an ABS bike how often if ever has the
system engaged?

I quote...... On my recent experience down my lane, It much depends on wether the braking event is planned or unplanned!!??

The ABS definately was slow to respond & made my GSA lurch & skid across the gravel away from a 4x4 coming towards me on a single track lane.

 

[Pukmeister]

ABS can easily be triggered. At speed say in 4th, grab a handfull of front brake as you slam the throttle shut. Before the front tyre can become loaded and grips it locks up easily and slides, the ABS instantly senses front wheel lock up and momentarily releases and reapplies the brakes, felt as a weird lurch forward whilst expecting the feel of heavy braking, kinda totally opposite what you were expecting. It's especially noticeable over small crests or uneven road surfaces where the front wheel easily locks up.

It happened to me again yesterday whilst enjoying a pleasant country ride out (Bloody horses).

 

[smartbear]

chelsea tractor

i feel it cut in most times i pull up on my gravel driveway,i enjoy living on the "razors edge"

 

[leinsterrugby]

If you ride in the city or anywhere that there are roadworks you'll love ABS!

On a wet day when some ****er cuts out on you and you have to grab a handful of front brake and suddenly realise that your front wheel is still over that metal manhole cover you'll be bloody glad you have ABS!! It'll react far faster than you.

 

[mr badger]

Ex skeptic

I was never convinced but ordered my GS12 with ABS anyhow.

Saved my bacon recently while doing a riding exam. Stopped on wet/muddy/greasy rod just in tie to miss the sizable Chinese Water Deer that sprinted across in front of me.

The examiner ( 20m behind) thought I was a gonner. I think that the front ABS just kicked in but the main benefit was that having practiced with the system (essential IMHO) I felt really confident in really pulling hard on the lever in a real emergency.

 

[JJH]

abs works my last 3 bikes had abs and I would have to say that it works when you need it. JJH

 

[Boxerboy55]

Unlike on 4 wheels, I haven't had the guts to grab a hand full and try out my ABS for fun. I live in hope that it will save my bacon one day in a real Emergency Stop.

 

[rockchunk]

i can testify to the benifits of abs as i have had to rely on it on more than one occasion great when your out with your sports bike riding mates especially in the wet out break the fekirs into every bend very confidence inspiring

 

[John Armstrong]

I haven't had the guts to grab a hand full and try out my ABS for fun.

Then maybe you should, just so you know what its like when it does kick in, and then you'll have confidence in it.

 

[Slowdown]

Then maybe you should, just so you know what its like when it does kick in, and then you'll have confidence in it.

Although you'll be amazed just how hard you'll have to squeeze to get it tokick in on dry tarmac.

 

[shadude]

I've had the ABS operate once on dry tarmac, saved my bacon
White van man locked it up in front of me, smoke pouring off his tyres, I know I shouldn't have been so close behind him, couldn't see past him, slipped up there.
I'm amazed I didn't head butt the back of his van, and that I stopped so quickly, even if I never need it again it has paid for itself.
I would advise testing the ABS out in a carpark on the back brake, just to get a feel for it.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Saved my bacon recently while doing a riding exam. Stopped on wet/muddy/greasy rod just in tie to miss the sizable Chinese Water Deer that sprinted across in front of me.

QUOTE]


Crikey that's a comprehensive exam, how many miles did he make you do????

 

[stef25]

you make it kick in on the rear wheel when quickly shifting down a little earlier than you should and breaking ever so slightly on the rear. you'll feel the rear ABS for a split sec

 

[pistonbrokescooby]

ahhhhhh

hi
wallop them on and get used to the system ,its surprising how quick you can stop in the wet and greasy roads , then try it again without the abs kicking in . few years back greasy february morning came up to a roundabout and the car in front broke and suddenly stopped for no reason ,one of the types that think they are a safe driver ,stop when it clear .anyway i had to brake reasonably hard and the abs kicked in ,slimy road with diesel on it heard the knocking noise that releases the wheel momentarily and suddenly i thought whaaa going to hit the car and had to steer up the inside to miss the back ,would of only just touched the the car if it did not come on , for about a week after i practiced doing emergency stops on damp roads & car parks. used a plastic water bottle and a cigarette packet as markers to judge braking distances .its a good system for sure , best thing really is not to get in those situations were its going to kick in ,forward planning ...... but as a last minute life saver i am glad it was on the bike ......... .. once in a while i test it out just to make sure it works .
pb

 

[GSmonkey]

Well you'll know when it has kicked in, you'll certainly be fairly concerned as you "seem" to accelerate towards the thing you're trying to stop for. Never going to be as good as a cars four wheel setup, but I guess better than nowt.

You've just got to be careful of your attitude and avoid risk compensation - been guilty of this myself i.e. putting myself in positions I wouldn't without ABS.

 

[Engineer]

Riding a motorcycle is a joy; mostly because it's just me in control; I want make the bike do want I want it to do; it's part of the whole experience.

I know it's potentially very dangerous and requires great care and skill to to stay safe. I want to improve my skills and my enjoyment and will never stop learning. I do not want the machine to take over under any circumstances. I don't want 'safety' aids; I don't want cosseting and protecting and wrapping in cotton wool. I dont' want ABS; traction control; fly by wire or any other devices that take away my control.

ABS is like those TV adverts for anti-bacterial wipes for our kitchens that the marketeers tell us we simply must have or we will get ill or die; we simply do not need them - the only people who do are the ones selling them!