[Abs Brakes]

I might be able to shed some light on your question. I have the unique opportunity to ride bikes with and without ABS nearly on a back to back daily basis. (On track and off track)

For track riding and racing ABS is obviously a NO. The ABS will kick in under heavy braking over uneven pavement regardless if the wheel is acutally locked or not.

If you ride a BMW, I'm sure your familiar with the system when it lets go and re engages. Very unstable at that point.

 

I've always considered myself as an excellent braker and I have the opportunity to practice on a regular basis (With ABS and without). But, I must tell you I poo pooed ABS when I first road a bike with it, and I always thought I could out brake the system. That was until it saved my butt one day.

 

I was crusing thru an intersection and observed a car getting ready to turn left. No problem, I covered my brake and watched for signs of what the driver was gonna do. IE turn or not turn. Well the driver didnt turn, BUT...the guy behind her decided to turn into the driveway BEFORE the intersection right in front of me. Oh SH#$!. I grabbed a handfull and realized I wasnt gonna be able to stop, so I quick steered to the right. Fortunately he stopped within the lane I WAS in and didn't cross into the lane I swerved to. The ABS kicked in when I grabbed the handful and allowed me to steer the bike to the right. I heard it was possible to still skid the tires with ABS and this is what happened as I leaned the bike over, but it maintained traction. Without the ABS I would have locked the front wheel and went down. There is no doubt in my mind it saved my butt.

 

If someone asked me prior to that incident:

Would you lock the front wheel in a panic situation? (on a bike without ABS) I would have answered, absolutely not! I practice all the time and I'm ready.

Well that moment came, and I got my answer.

 

I'm still not a huge fan of ABS, but If I were to buy a touring bike, it would be with ABS. I ride a BMW 1150RT with ABS just about everyday. At a good clip too, and I really dont notice the ABS even if the tire skips over a piece of uneven pavement while hard on the brakes. I've gotten so use to this, I can anticipate when it will happen and I really dont even notice it.

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Oh, and about the guy that turned in front of me. We had a lengthy discussion that I won.

 

 

JR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the replies. The one thing I didn't think about is braking hard and having to steer. Good point which I will have to thnk about. I think the general opinion is that ABS are a no no for the track and good for street in most cases. Anyway thanks again. There are way tooooo many decisions in life.

 

take care guys

 

DNACK

[Abs Brakes]

Hi to Cobie or Keith,

 

I'd appreciate an opinion on ABS brakes for both track and street riding. I do realize that if one is on a slippery surface and brakes hard that the ABS will stop the bike from sliding. I have seen demonstrations on skid pads of the ABS stopping much more safely than non ABS, but this was an all out lock up the front wheel type of test. I also think I am familar with some of the other pros and cons of ABS. Anyway, my specific question ; do you think ABS brakes are necessary for a motorcycle rider with intermediate or higher skill?

 

I'm about to buy a BMW K1200S (I now have a BMW K1200GT with ABS) and I'm considering getting it with out ABS.

 

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

 

 

Take care,

[The Fine Art Of Braking]

thanks for great article.

 

Dnack