ABS or Not

[Wistrick]

I have decided to trade the c50 in on a DL650 Vstrom if I can find one. Is the ABS option worth the extra scratch???

[inspiron]

In my opinion, YES!

Motorcycle ABS has been discussed here several times before - use the Search function to find these old threads.

To summarize my opinion, ABS is worth every penny. I took a safety course earlier this year where we practiced emergency stops many times. Doing an emergency stop (35 mph -> 0 as quickly as possible) without ABS requires concentration and practice to take the front tire to the maximum stopping power without locking it up.

ABS takes out the guesswork - just squeeze/stomp the levers and let the computer ensure that the tires don't lockup on you.

[siclmn]

Some people still believe that it's better to guess and hope and take some track classes so that when confronted with a split second decision you will know exactly what to do so that you don't lock up a wheel and go down and die or be crippled for life. Get the ABS.

[Wistrick]

Perfect now I just need to find a DL650 ABS, everybody around here is out of stock and the 08's aren't in

[Clint]

I agree. Those who "don't believe in it" don't get it. There's virtually no downside other than a few pounds of weight.

[IntruderCruiser]

being old school -- I haven't ridden a bike with ABS but if its as good as a car, it could well be worth it

However!!! stay away from linked brakes --- they are dangerous in my opinion as there are times when you only want one or the other brake and the link system applies them both -- -many riders have gone down because of them

[Barbarian]

If you want to know what I think, take a look at my sig.

[ORBrit]

A lady on my last riding course had a BMW with ABS. It was absolutely amazing how quick that thing would stop in the emergency stop. WAY cool.
If I was in the market for a bike and ABS was an option, there would be no question - I'd definitely go for it.
Obviously it's no substitute for common sense, but if the alternative is locking up in an emergency situation out of habit or panic reaction, then it could be a lifesaver.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by IntruderCruiser

However!!! stay away from linked brakes --- they are dangerous in my opinion as there are times when you only want one or the other brake and the link system applies them both -- -many riders have gone down because of them

There are many types of linked or "integrated" brakes. You cannot lump them all in one "dangerous" category. Most now are "intelligent", or at least well proportioned, and there's virtually no situation where they're dangerous to a rider with some knowledge of their functionality.

[inspiron]

The "partially integrated" brakes are no longer dangerous. They work like you would expect - pull the front brake lever, and both brakes are activated. Step on the rear brake pedal, only the rear is activated.

[robertc729]

I say yeah it's worth it

[Dave Nadeau]

Got my new Harley with ABS...on the way home from the dealer I had to stop fast and hit a painted crosswalk that was wet. I can say for a fact that ABS works and works well. I would suggest getting it if you can.

[Gixxerman]

For my use, I don't like abs on a bike, but hey, that's my oppinion I think it feels funny and like someone took away the feel of it.
On touring bikes I understand the purpose, but not on a racebike.

[inspiron]

Actually, race bikes don't have ABS - it's not allowed on a track, and race bikes often trade weight for comfort or safety. In this case, ABS adds a couple of kilos (BMW's ABS weighs 3 KG), which isn't wanted on race bikes.

[Rickster]

I agree with everyone else on here, ABS is great, but that is assuming 100% of your riding is going to be on-road. ABS on dirt roads is a whole different animal, that's why some of the more expensive units have a switch so you can shut it off if you are riding on a dirt road.

How much dirt road riding do you do?

Are you going to keep the He-Strom?

Are you sure the ABS is available on the We-Stroms, last time I checked, it was only an option on the DL 1000.

[PhotoJoe]

In my chevy blazer, then in my chevy pickup, when I hit wet railroad tracks, the abs kicks in and makes the brakes virtually stop working until I'm 20 feet or so past the tracks. Last year, on the day that it rained in LA, I almost rear-ended a car because of it. Do MC ABS systems do the same thing? If so, that would scare me!

[Gixxerman]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Actually, race bikes don't have ABS - it's not allowed on a track, and race bikes often trade weight for comfort or safety. In this case, ABS adds a couple of kilos (BMW's ABS weighs 3 KG), which isn't wanted on race bikes.

The weight is not the problem in itself. I just don't like the feel, because I ain't got no feel with abs. ABS is for cars...

[inspiron]

As I said before, if you are a professional rider on a track, ABS isn't for you. If you are on a dual-sport going on- and off-road, ABS isn't necessarily for you.

But for the great majority of the people here - weekend riders or daily commuters - ABS can be a life saver. Sure, a professional who practices emergency stops regularly can bring a bike to a stop faster than an ABS computer can - but few of us here can honestly say that we fit that description.

[allan4169]

One of the other sites had a thread about the Bosch ABS on their BMW F800ST. The situation was when under braking if the rear wheel unloaded (bounced up) it would momentarily stop due to the brakes being applied. When the ABS saw the rear wheel stopped it would realease the brake hydralic pressure untill the wheel rotated again. When it released pressure the front wheel would rotate therefore the bike would roll forward a few feet. That maybe a few feet that you don't have. It reminded me of the ABS in my Dodge Dakota truck that when braking over a rough surface, if the rear axle bounces up and the rear brakes lock, due to the brake pedal being applied, the system would release ALL brake pressure, thats the fronts as well, untill the rear wheels rotated again. So as the wheels are bouncing over the bumps the brakes would apply, then release, then apply, then release, you get the picture. Pretty scary as you see the rear of the car in front getting closer everytime the system would release and you would roll forward a few feet. It seems that they used the existing components and just installed a solenoid to dump the pressure. Very different to the expensive system that uses a very high pressure pump to modulate the pressure. But if you look at the amount of components that are used in a high end system, where would you fit all that high pressure pump etc on a bike? I prefer a very good set of brakes and then use my skill to apply the brakes. ABS can only help you when the bike is going straight, so if you get any side slippage, then it is too late anyway.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Gixxerman

The weight is not the problem in itself. I just don't like the feel, because I ain't got no feel with abs. ABS is for cars...

Well actually the feel should be the same if you have a good system, on most the system only kicks in when a wheel locks, if you like the feel of a locked wheel then I have to wonder.........( unless you're offroad in the dirt ).

As for linked ABS, not an issue since the ABS controls each wheel independantly and will keep either from locking up.

ABS takes the guesswork out of braking, sure some riders think they can stop better/faster without it but there are so many variables involved in stopping your bike quickly that's it's often better to let a computer doing 100's of calculations a second do the job especially when you consider that most humans have a reaction time of 1/2 sec. With ABS you can apply 100% braking power not 97 or 98% because you're afraid of locking up.

Just don't get the Chevy ABS.