ABS - just saved my life!

[Le singe]

You're so right,kbada, biking in itself,with all these unknowns, is becoming too dangerous, I'm going to support the motorcycle airbag developers, yes,it may be seen as over-the-top, but as you rightly say,you never know what everyone else is about to do.
Perhaps the time has finally arrived,with the ever increasing volumes of traffic and lower driving standards, that we're faced with a choice, either an abundance of safety aids,because clearly the old skills are no longer enough, or giving up biking.
Thanks for making me aware of the true situation.

 

[Keith Chapman]

Ok here is an idea.

Should all saftey aids be removed from vehicles, that way the driver would not think ' I am invincible in my nice safe shell with crumple zones, side impact bars air bags etc'

and start to think 'Shit I could get hurt if something goes amiss' instead.

and at the same time remove all incar (and on bike) entertainment so that concentration is not interupted.

discuss.

(The most dangerous part of a vehicle is the nut holding on the steeringwheel/handlebars)

 

[notadrop]

SAVED by my ABS.
Last night, whilst inspecting our newly tarmaced drive, I trod on a tack. Luckily my All Black Slippers have a thick rubber sole and saved me from a nasty accident!

Take it easy out there ....it could be you next

 

[North]

I think that there are enough Motorcylce Airbags already.

North

 

[ralphy]

Ok here is an idea.

Should all saftey aids be removed from vehicles, that way the driver would not think ' I am invincible in my nice safe shell with crumple zones, side impact bars air bags etc'

and start to think 'Shit I could get hurt if something goes amiss' instead.

Keith

I seem to remember that it was my driving instructor who commented 'if every car had a bloody great spike sticking out of the centre of the steering wheel we would see a whole lot of better driving on our roads'.

I think he had a point!

 

[Le singe]

ABS just reduces your stopping distance,and therefore your impact velocity,it doesn't remove the possibility of ever having an accident, I've always worked on the theory that if I perceive a hazard,I slow down to maximise my stopping distances and to give me time to re-assess the situation.
Seems logical to me,as the highway code clearly states that the slower the speed,the shorter the stopping distance.
But others on here have stated that speed is not a factor,so obviously the highway code is wrong.
A customer called at my workshop yesterday to collect a few parts for his BMW and it turned out he was a bike and car driving traffic cop in England.
We got into the subject of ABS and I asked why his bike wasn't fitted with it. He explained that the police are sent regularly on driver-training courses where the importance of forward vision and the ability to slow down when needed are taught.
He reckoned in 30 years of service,he had used the ABS on a motorcycle on two occassions, both times on roundabouts driving at speeds no civilian should,without his blue lights flashing.
His opinion is that a skilled rider doesn't need the system.
Obviously I told the riding-god he has lived on luck and is a total muppet!

 

[pikeydave]

He reckoned in 30 years of service,he had used the ABS on a motorcycle on two occassions, both times on roundabouts driving at speeds no civilian should,without his blue lights flashing.
His opinion is that a skilled rider doesn't need the system.
Obviously I told the riding-god he has lived on luck and is a total muppet!

Well there's 2 occasions that a 'riding god' needed or ended up using ABS!

 

[Piggers]

Golly, thanks Piggers - I've not had a wink in the last ten accident-free (almost!) years of riding daily on non-ABS equipped bikes....

Glad to be off assistance. If there are any other problems you need me to help you with just let me know

Tens years riding eh ! Still just a beginner then

 

[Le singe]

Pikeydave, notice also his reference to excessive speed, although, as this has been pointed out before, is not a relevant factor.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

Glad to be off assistance. If there are any other problems you need me to help you with just let me know

Tens years riding eh ! Still just a beginner then

You're right again Piggers, I'm really only just off stabilizers when compared to hero's like yourself. I don't know how I ever make to the end of the street! I dream of the day I can be wisened, and have experience like yours. Then I can be a pompous old twat like just like you - keep up the good work

 

[Paul Wakefield]

ABS ....... doesn't remove the possibility of ever having an accident

Correct

... if I perceive a hazard,...

And if you don't perceive it?

I slow down to maximise my stopping distances and to give me time to re-assess the situation.

No you don't. If you were maximising the distance, you would stop every time you perceived a hazard. I imagine you mean you slow down to a speed where you can stop before reaching the hazard.

ABS just reduces your stopping distance.

So in theory, based on the last 2 quotes, you are arguing you can go faster with ABS with the same set of hazards. Not a theory I subscribe to myself. I'm not convinced ABS reduces stopping distance in itself. It does give the confidence to use full braking without concern at losing the front plus retaining a measure of manoeuvrability. I ride at the same speed either way with the same philosophy as yourself but ABS gives an edge for the unperceived hazard (and yes they do exist if you travel over 10mph - either because they could not reasonably be anticipated or because of a lapse in concentration) especially in poor conditions.

No one is forcing you to have ABS. Its an option which some of us choose. What's the problem?

Paul

 

[Keith Chapman]

I'm bored now

 

[piebaps]

I approached the junction at 30mph. I observed a vehicle pulling up at the stop sign on ly nearside. I rolled back the throttle, dropped a gear and covered the brake.

His hubcaps stopped turning and I saw the whites of his eyes in my headlamp beam as he looked towards me.

Confident that all was well, I reached the junction at around 20mph and the b*astard T-boned me.

He had mistaken my headlight for the nearside light of the bus which was 100yds behind me (despite my hi-viz kit).

If I had've taken the leak I was busting for, I would have hit the junction 2 mins later and he would have been gone but apart from that there were no steps I could have reasonably taken to save my ass.

Sure I bought a bike with ABS after the crash. If airbags and ejector seats are fitted, I will probably buy them too. Sure you can ride defensively but IMHO every little thing you can do or buy to assist with safety is worthwhile whether its a techno device or a IAM course.

 

[cookie]

does anyone know if bmw ABS works with the bike banked over?

 

[riverking]

does anyone know if bmw ABS works with the bike banked over?[/QUOTE

The Anti Bank System specifically caters for this eventuality

 

[Steptoe]

does anyone know if bmw ABS works with the bike banked over?

ABS does work with the bike banked over - Buuut, ABS doesn't alter the laws of physics , you'll still slide sideways if you lose adhesion

 

[Le singe]

I'm bored as well, I'm off out for a ride to look for an un-perceived hazard, I may be some time.

 

[jimbo]

I'm going to support the motorcycle airbag developers,

If they can develop air bags that are unobtrusive, reasonably light, and might save my ar*e then yes why not!
Is there some sort of death wish here? Motorcycling is potentially a very dangerous hobby that can leave your kids fatherless (motherless) or put you in a wheelchair for life. Personally I'll take anything that helps my chances which doesn't spoil the enjoyment.
If you take your perspective, "I'm so good I don't need ABS", then I assume you don't need a crash helmet, or decent protective clothes either.

Sutely the only reason not to have ABS is if you believe that you are capable of stopping faster without it. Magasines suggest that there are indeed some people who can make this claim - but I'm sure not one.

 

[Gas'd Off]

He had mistaken my headlight for the nearside light of the bus which was 100yds behind me (despite my hi-viz kit).

Yup all, take note of that scenario. A VERY near miss happened to to me just like that. When travelling in front of a large vehicle, bus, truck, whatever stupid people in cars look and only see the BIG machine(I `ate stupid people). If you are, say, 20metres in front of said BIG machine the stupid people will think "ah, Big machine = SLOW, I`ll pull out before it comes past cos I`m stupid and always in a rush". BANG, down goes minding his/her own business biker.
The chap who almost had me off like this, after I pointed out his myopia, apologised and said how bad he felt as both his sons ride bikes!
Keep em peeled eh!

 

[Arthurwg]

Servos

I've no doubt that ABS is the way to go. I did not have ABS in the two smash-ups that almost killed me, and for sure ABS would have helped greatly in both situations-- where cars cars turned directly across my path. My problem is with the BMW system: If the SERVOS are not working ABS will not help you, and I've had two servo failures so far.