Trigger happy ABS

[Ragnar]

I'm a new convert to the 800 after riding a 1200 Adventure for 3 years. I'm finding that the ABS is EXTREMELY trigger happy.

In three years I had ABS activate maybe once or twice on the 1200. It was so unobtrusive that I started to leave it on when off-road.

In less than a month it's happened maybe 4/5 times now on the 800 under what I would consider to be normal to slightly heavy braking. When it has activated, it's caused me further problems by increasing my stopping distance.

Anyone else getting the same?

David.

 

[JJH]

would it be the much less engine braking catching you out. I had a 12gsa and went for a while to a 800st. the difference in engine brakeing is quite a bit. Now back to rt. JJH

 

[Ragnar]

Hmm, yeah there is a LOT of difference in engine braking between the R and the F, you're right. I'm not sure that it's all down to that though.

I just called North Oxford about it and they said that they get a lot of people saying the same thing. Their advice - start braking earlier

 

[R4V]

I have found my ABS to be a bit premature, like you say in what would normally be quite tame braking...

 

[Mutley]

It would be worth considering a few other variables:

• braking style - do you use more / less back?
• steering head angle - is it steeper on the 800?
• riding position - do you sit more forward on the 800?
• rider weight / machine weight ratio - are you adversely affecting the weight transfer?

It's a smaller, lighter bike with steeper steering angle and a more 'attack' riding position. With the lack of engine braking maybe it's exposing how lazy you got on the 12?

I know I've had to 'learn' to ride again since I bought my Superglide(sh1t brakes and poor handling). Big GS's are amazingly capable machines

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Going from rough to smooth tarmac also makes the ABS think' or test the surface when you brake.

Off-roading, turn ABS off

 

[Ragnar]

It's a smaller, lighter bike with steeper steering angle and a more 'attack' riding position. With the lack of engine braking maybe it's exposing how lazy you got on the 12?

I know I've had to 'learn' to ride again since I bought my Superglide(sh1t brakes and poor handling). Big GS's are amazingly capable machines

Oh absolutely - I'm sure that it's not just the bike but me as well. The Big 1200's superb handling and road holding have probably made me quite lazy, in the same way as owning my R1 made me lazy in my gear selection (the thing would pull away from the lights easily in 4th!) before the BikeSafe guys pointed it out.

I was just wondering if other people had the same experience.

 

[Ragnar]

Going from rough to smooth tarmac also makes the ABS think' or test the surface when you brake.

Off-roading, turn ABS off

Yep - I've also found that a bumpy surface will trigger the ABS when braking too.

With the 1200 ADV I got to the point where I never bothered switching it off when off-road - It had so much traction and engine braking that it never activated. I hope I won't forget with the 800 when I get around to exploring further afield on it!

 

[Dave Ett]

Haven't had the ABS trigger on a normal smooth road, but hit a pothole with the front brake on and it'll trigger. Not a great feeling, but one I quickly got used to riding Italian mountain roads!

 

[Beerbaron]

I'm a new convert to the 800 after riding a 1200 Adventure for 3 years. I'm finding that the ABS is EXTREMELY trigger happy.

In three years I had ABS activate maybe once or twice on the 1200. It was so unobtrusive that I started to leave it on when off-road.

In less than a month it's happened maybe 4/5 times now on the 800 under what I would consider to be normal to slightly heavy braking. When it has activated, it's caused me further problems by increasing my stopping distance.

Anyone else getting the same?

David.

Yes,

I had it activate recently while heavy braking, following a car too close , car stops suddenly , I pull on the brakes progressively, braking hard but still within limits, then the ABS kicks in ... panic .. the bike stopped with the front wheel touching the back bumper ...

I have done 33000 miles on the 800 and have had quite a few experiences like this; where I'm sure that I was braking hard but efficiently only to have the ABS kick in and mess it up.

I have noticed it worse with the TKC80's, maybe the aggressive tread confuses the ABS?

Also had an experienced 1200GS'er ride it and he came back and told me to disable the ABS.

I am looking to find out how to switch it off ... more permanently ..

BB.