ABS works really good

[bscrive]

I was in Barrie Ontario on the weekend tavelling down Leacock Dr. enjoying the view downhill when I noticed a stop sign that I was about to drive past.  I clamped on the brakes and stopped in pretty short order.    No tire squawk at all, and I ended up stopping just past the stop line.  Not sure what would have happened with regular brakes, the back tire would have probably locked up for a bit until I let off.  Sure as hell though that I would not have stopped as fast. 

[ledany]

As far as I know, ABS doesn't shortens the distances, on the contrary, it doesn't block the wheels so it's safer. We consider here (Germany, France) that ABS is a must, unless you're a champion and know better. Not my case 

[_Sheffjs_]

I would like to try abs but it is too late,  now the abs has self canceling blinkers right?  Do you like them?

[swilkins65]

I just picked up a 2014 on closeout this last weekend.  I had been driving a 2014 Honda CTX700ND (ABS/Electronic Dual Clutch).  I came to really appreciate that ABS system and the new one doesn't have it.  I've already started to wonder if I could buy a system (new or used) and add it to the Valkyrie.  Has anyone started down this path?

[ledany]

@jerry : if you ask me, the fact is that I don't use the ABS on this bike. I can feel it activated on the rear brake because I weight as much as I can on it (too weak in any case) but never activated on the front brake because when the road is wet and considering how slippery this bike is, I drive slowwwly 
I had a BMW R1100 R ten years ago without the ABS, the front brake was powerful and three times on wet roads I had to hold the bike with the foot on the ground, scary episodes !
ABS is fine when in winter time you have to brake on zebras and most of all, for the riding confort it provides : you know that you can brake as hard as you can at any time regardless of the conditions (but sooner the better  ).

About the cancellling blinkers : I'm used to it (I'm a beemer, to tell the truth  :cool smiley:) and I deal with the fact that you have to count 10 times before it stops. On highways, when I have to exit, I push the button 2 or 3 times  

@swilkins65 : If you don't ride in winter time, it's too big a problem I guess.

[bscrive]

I like the self cancelling signal lights, but most of the time I turn them off myself.  A habit I have from my old I/S.

As for ABS, here is an quote from Wikipedia:

"ABS generally offers improved vehicle control and decreases stopping distances on dry and slippery surfaces; however, on loose gravel or snow-covered surfaces, ABS can significantly increase braking distance, although still improving vehicle control.[1][2][3]

Since initial widespread use in production cars, anti-lock braking systems have been improved considerably. Recent versions not only prevent wheel lock under braking, but also electronically control the front-to-rear brake bias. This function, depending on its specific capabilities and implementation, is known as electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), traction control system, emergency brake assist, or electronic stability control (ESC)."

[GA VALK]

Isnt the ABS just on the front brakes?

[bscrive]

Isnt the ABS just on the front brakes?

Nope, the back has ABS as well.  Two lines in and two lines out of the ABS unit.

[_Sheffjs_]

I would think that the rear is where it is needed most.  If it were front only, seems like it would be a waste.  Not the expert here thogh. 

[rogueleader_92]

In my opinion, from my experience as far as when you "want" it to work both would be best but if you only had 1 front would be better.

When you break hard physics puts most of the weight on the front tire (this is why 75% of stopping is in the front breaks) and if you lock up the back on a strate stop most people can just keep the bike upright and let that back tire slide a bit while keeping it locked or attempt to come off the break and re engage but if you lock up the front with all that weight on it it takes a fraction of the time to slide out from under you so the ABS activating almost instantly could save you from a dump.

Now with all that being said I prefer non ABS on my vehicles especially my bikes. Instead once a month I do breaking/swerving drills in the parking lot of my local school. A sliding tire takes longest to stop, a ABS tire next longest and a tire under proper breaking that you can keep from locking up is shortest.

Again that's all from my experience but I trust myself over a computer anyday.

[_Sheffjs_]

In 40 years of metrics I have never had a problem with the front wheel during a hard brake, I have skidded the back a few times.   

[rogueleader_92]

In 40 years of metrics I have never had a problem with the front wheel during a hard brake, I have skidded the back a few times.   

I think that's 95% of peoples experience, when I took the beginner rider course years ago the instructor said most people tend to under break on front and over break on back. His thought was that most people learn when riding a peddle bike if you grab that front break too hard you will end up over the handle bars so people subconsciously avoid it even though most motorcycles couldn't pick up the back tire if they wanted.

[bscrive]

Ya know, ABS, traction control, and other safety items that they put on vehicles these days just seem to make people worst drivers.  They rely way too much on these features.  One person I know has had a backup camera for several years now, and when he got in a car without one he was so nervous backing the car up that he almost hit his brother's car because he didn't see it. 

Now it seems that criminals can take control of vehicles that are linked to the internet. 

If I had the choice when I bought my bike, I would have not got the ABS model.  Mainly, because I never had ABS on a bike before, and I would rather have save the money.  The extra $1500 could have bought a lot of accessories.

[rogueleader_92]

Ya know, ABS, traction control, and other safety items that they put on vehicles these days just seem to make people worst drivers.  They rely way too much on these features.  One person I know has had a backup camera for several years now, and when he got in a car without one he was so nervous backing the car up that he almost hit his brother's car because he didn't see it. 

Now it seems that criminals can take control of vehicles that are linked to the internet. 

If I had the choice when I bought my bike, I would have not got the ABS model.  Mainly, because I never had ABS on a bike before, and I would rather have save the money.  The extra $1500 could have bought a lot of accessories.

Agreed