Dean
Registered user
this is so true
its amazing how much money is spent on Mods and clothing etc but not much on further training, given that a lot of accidents are down to human error
ABS, is it needed on a 800
- Thread starter Stop Stop
- Start date
this is so true
its amazing how much money is spent on Mods and clothing etc but not much on further training, given that a lot of accidents are down to human error
SKON
Registered user
Part of the off road skills course that is also relevant on the hard stuff,gets you to lock both back and front wheels (not at the same time!),in a controlled manner,whereby you re educate the instinct to grab more brake as the wheels lock.You can drive the bike forward with a locked front wheel without immediatly goin down, using careful lever control.I was always terrified that as soon as your front locked up, it was game over. T`aint nacessarily so
I know its not always that straightforward,but some quality training goes a long way! I decided to forego ABS on my bike and have no regrets. So far!!
I know its not always that straightforward,but some quality training goes a long way! I decided to forego ABS on my bike and have no regrets. So far!!
The OP needs to ask himself how many times the ABS has activated on his 650.
Never? Then why worry?
A few times? That's a judgement call based on the incidents.
Frequently? The answer is obvious.
If you decide to do without ABS practise your cadence braking until it's automatic to release the brake when the wheel locks. Even if you knacker a brand new set of tyres in the process it's still cheap training that may save your life or at least a lot of pain, loss of earnings and expense.
I enjoyed ABS failure on a loan 1200 resulting in front wheel lock whilst exploring braking limits. A sphincter moment as the front wheel stepped out but I saved it. No reason why anyone else couldn't have done the same if you have practised.
Re the car I'd happily have a car without ABS. It will be better than cadence braking in an emergency but probably not by very much and I can't remember when my car ABS has ever activated except when I periodically test it or in snow when it's a liability anyway unless you can switch it off.
Never? Then why worry?
A few times? That's a judgement call based on the incidents.
Frequently? The answer is obvious.
If you decide to do without ABS practise your cadence braking until it's automatic to release the brake when the wheel locks. Even if you knacker a brand new set of tyres in the process it's still cheap training that may save your life or at least a lot of pain, loss of earnings and expense.
I enjoyed ABS failure on a loan 1200 resulting in front wheel lock whilst exploring braking limits. A sphincter moment as the front wheel stepped out but I saved it. No reason why anyone else couldn't have done the same if you have practised.
Re the car I'd happily have a car without ABS. It will be better than cadence braking in an emergency but probably not by very much and I can't remember when my car ABS has ever activated except when I periodically test it or in snow when it's a liability anyway unless you can switch it off.
As an Instructor most people with ABS have never had it working, and in an emergency will not brake to full advantage anyway!
Black Forest last year ... five bikes and we got caught in a blizzard, the three with ABS dropped their bikes, the two without didn't
Yeah ... I'm back from Ireland
richie
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As an Instructor most people with ABS have never had it working, and in an emergency will not brake to full advantage anyway!
Black Forest last year ... five bikes and we got caught in a blizzard, the three with ABS dropped their bikes, the two without didn't
Yeah ... I'm back from Ireland
Hi Micky, I enjoyed our brief chat last weekend nice to meet you...
My tuppence worth, reading what the Eu have in store for us, get a non ABS bike as it'll be worth a bit of money in a few years time.....
Great time indeed my friend
Yeah ... won't even be able to switch the bloody ABS off for offroading, but then them thar off road nutters never use their brakes anyway
richie
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Great time indeed my friend
Yeah ... won't even be able to switch the bloody ABS off for offroading, but then them thar off road nutters never use their brakes anyway
We won't tell no one Micky but we know the best dual purpose bikes when we see them and they ain't nowhere near 14K.....
Or at least I hope not
maddaddy
Registered user
As an Instructor most people with ABS have never had it working, and in an emergency will not brake to full advantage anyway!
Black Forest last year ... five bikes and we got caught in a blizzard, the three with ABS dropped their bikes, the two without didn't
Yeah ... I'm back from Ireland
okay, got it, you don't like ABS.
riding in snow is like riding off road and wouldn't use abs either.
GunZenBomZ
Registered user
I'd not want to piss on anyone's fire but why would you not disable ABS before going off-road? Do people not read the bike manual..
Tempting an extra level of weird activity from the front wheel, no thanks.
Also, I bet they didn't turn off there front lamp before going off-road.
Tempting an extra level of weird activity from the front wheel, no thanks.
Also, I bet they didn't turn off there front lamp before going off-road.
Dean
Registered user
As an Instructor most people with ABS have never had it working, and in an emergency will not brake to full advantage anyway!
Black Forest last year ... five bikes and we got caught in a blizzard, the three with ABS dropped their bikes, the two without didn't
Yeah ... I'm back from Ireland
You're right. REAL men don't need ABS.
The manufacturers are only fitting it to get more money out of us?
I rode from Clemont Ferrand, over the Milau Bridge, down to Montpellier on Easter Sunday 2009. Full on snow, -3C, 2-up and full stack of luggage on a K1200GT-SE with ABS.
No problem!
So don't come on here with anecdotal "only the ABS bikes went down" crap!
PS: As an "instructor" (which has no bearing on your riding skills) you should be ashamed of yourself. I hope you don't preach no ABS to your students.
I was reading this thread (as a new 800/ABS owner) with interest, and initially thought I dont need it. In 12 years and in excess of 100k miles of riding all year round, I have locked up front and/or rear on numerous occassions but managed to modulate the brakes successfully to avoid an off (instinctively rather than skill).
Then I remembered an off that I had (which followed a period of being not able to ride the bike for health reasons), my first day back on the bike, it was very early morning, dark and damp. Travelling downhill I approached some traffic lights that just changed to red, applied the front brakes (I rarely use the rear) and before I knew what was going on I was sliding down the road....
Now the dampness of the road obviously caught me out, presumably ABS would have kicked in and saved me from that off - and the infection in my knee that i was about to suffer a week later (the pain second only to having your nuts crushed in a vice).
So while I prefer bikes (and cars) to be simple and without all the bells and whistles - less to go wrong - it will be interesting to see how I get on with the ABS.
Cheers
Rich
Then I remembered an off that I had (which followed a period of being not able to ride the bike for health reasons), my first day back on the bike, it was very early morning, dark and damp. Travelling downhill I approached some traffic lights that just changed to red, applied the front brakes (I rarely use the rear) and before I knew what was going on I was sliding down the road....
Now the dampness of the road obviously caught me out, presumably ABS would have kicked in and saved me from that off - and the infection in my knee that i was about to suffer a week later (the pain second only to having your nuts crushed in a vice).
So while I prefer bikes (and cars) to be simple and without all the bells and whistles - less to go wrong - it will be interesting to see how I get on with the ABS.
Cheers
Rich
and I have just realised the bike that I just bought doesn't have it (after searching for the ABS button), doh!
So much for the 'resale value' they keep harping on about in earlier posts
May I suggest that you take note of the conditions and stop grabbing a handful of front brake and don't rely on (or not) for the ABS to come to your rescue. Rather brake gently and progressively to gently load up that front tyre contact patch and increase breaking accordingly! ABS is no substitute for crap riding ...
Dean
Registered user
as another instructor,
i teach not preach the use of brain over the reliance on 'accessories'.
Engage brain at all times, recognise and manage Hazards and take responsiblity.
THAT is the best 'safety device' that can be fitted to a Bike.
ABS / no ABS;
have it or not - whatever you like.
i am just fed up hearing how it makes us 'safe'.
The rider of the Bike is what makes it safe or not.
richie
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With a name like "Stop Stop" why would you need ABS
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