Thoughts on bikes with ABS

[MuleOnWheels]

I recently crashed due to my own stupidity (crash video coming shortly). I locked up my front tire at 60mph and went down instantly. Because of this, I'm thinking that ABS will be a necessity for any bike I get in the future.

I'm just starting my research and I'm wondering if there are there any downsides to having ABS on a bike?

 

[RoninK6]

I don't know the pros or cons of ABS on bikes (the motorcycle police use them in my city)... but I do know that they make a world of difference on my car & truck.

...so no clue . Sorry not being able to help out ^_~ .....

 

[TriumfAnt]

Downsides - cost, a little extra weight, if it goes wrong and you're in the jungle/desert it can be tricky to fix.
Upsides - it can save your ass and a big repair bill. My last 3 bikes have had ABS and I probably would have dropped each of them at least once if it wasn't for ABS, so for me the downsides are more than outweighed by the upsides.

 

[ToastToGo]

ABS is great. Definitely would have saved you.

 

[IREV808]

I think it is a great safety feature but its good to learn braking with a bike without ABS so you know how to brake without it. I could see someone who has never ridden a bike without ABS start freaking out when the brakes lock up. I know I've locked up the brakes a few times and the first time I almost slid into the back of a car on the freeway. Make me learn real quick how to use the brakes properly that night.

 

[renegadebiker24]

Downsides - cost, a little extra weight, if it goes wrong and you're in the jungle/desert it can be tricky to fix.
Upsides - it can save your ass and a big repair bill. My last 3 bikes have had ABS and I probably would have dropped each of them at least once if it wasn't for ABS, so for me the downsides are more than outweighed by the upsides.

That is soooooooooooo true about the cost. It costs more, esp[ecially on my bike, and if it saves my ass, it is worth the price. I think the last bike I had did not have ABS on it, and so it makes me even more aware now of bikes that do have it. My bike also has Traction Control System as well. The reason it has this, is because it is the Deluxe model, so it has that, as well as the bluetooth hookup thru the bike's audio system.

 

[dandoolittle]

I've ridden both for years and prefer it.

I've ridden my cbr (600f) on the track and not had an issue with abs or performce.

Abs gives you one less thing to worry about. Say you have a car pulling out, do you really need to worry about skidding up the road?

 

[monkeystrada]

You probably wouldn't dream of buying a car without ABS these days (are they even available anymore?), so why would you not want it on a bike where arguably you need it more. Locking the wheels on a car increases your stopping distance, locking the wheels on a bike makes you come off. It's that simple.

Pay the extra £1000 and get it. No question. You will wish you had when you are picking your broken bike/body up off the road

For the purists who say they don't need it, say that it spoils their ride experience, or just think they are too hardcore for rider aids... see above!

I've got it on my bike and have only ever had it activate twice. Once when I purposefully tried to make it come on to test it, and the 2nd time was entirely my own fault... in a rage and overcooking it down a slip-road off a motorway and into traffic, had to anchor it REALLY hard and I'm sure it stopped me having problems.

I really don't know why it's not standard/compulsory equipment on new bikes these days. Would save a LOT of serious and non-serious drops from lockups

 

[dandoolittle]

You probably wouldn't dream of buying a car without ABS these days (are they even available anymore?), so why would you not want it on a bike where arguably you need it more. Locking the wheels on a car increases your stopping distance, locking the wheels on a bike makes you come off. It's that simple.

Pay the extra £1000 and get it. No question. You will wish you had when you are picking your broken bike/body up off the road

For the purists who say they don't need it, say that it spoils their ride experience, or just think they are too hardcore for rider aids... see above!

I've got it on my bike and have only ever had it activate twice. Once when I purposefully tried to make it come on to test it, and the 2nd time was entirely my own fault... in a rage and overcooking it down a slip-road off a motorway and into traffic, had to anchor it REALLY hard and I'm sure it stopped me having problems.

I really don't know why it's not standard/compulsory equipment on new bikes these days. Would save a LOT of serious and non-serious drops from lockups

The European dudes are pushing it on all bikes which for once, is something I agree with

I love the whole 'it's cheating brigade' argument. It's the same as the 'proper bikers' who ride in the snow etc....... Well hard

I

 

[Kevin1123]

ABS.. mmm. Comparing bikes to cars...

I've nothing against ABS, it's fine proven technology. I know guys who wont even buy a bike unless it's got it on.

But, it detracts from the skill of braking, I've spent years developing that skill, that human fine motor skill that enables me to brake and adjust speed, under pretty much any conditions that I've ever come across on the road, I'm not talking about track riding.
It is possible to lock the front on a bike, the front will skip. I havn't experienced it for some years because tyres have come a long way..

The key thing about braking to remember is do not just grab a handful... slow on then hard, if you are hurtling towards a corner, get off the brakes, settle the bike, relax, and turn it in. Chances are you'll come out the other end and have learnt something.

Good forward planning, and smooth bike operation, learn the skills and you wont need ABS..

Will there be a generation of riders who are totally reliant on technology? I think so, which will be a shame really, because many of the skills of effective riding will be lost forever.

 

[dandoolittle]

ABS.. mmm. Comparing bikes to cars...

I've nothing against ABS, it's fine proven technology. I know guys who wont even buy a bike unless it's got it on.

But, it detracts from the skill of braking, I've spent years developing that skill, that human fine motor skill that enables me to brake and adjust speed, under pretty much any conditions that I've ever come across on the road, I'm not talking about track riding.
It is possible to lock the front on a bike, the front will skip. I havn't experienced it for some years because tyres have come a long way..

The key thing about braking to remember is do not just grab a handful... slow on then hard, if you are hurtling towards a corner, get off the brakes, settle the bike, relax, and turn it in. Chances are you'll come out the other end and have learnt something.

Good forward planning, and smooth bike operation, learn the skills and you wont need ABS..

Will there be a generation of riders who are totally reliant on technology? I think so, which will be a shame really, because many of the skills of effective riding will be lost forever.

I disagree with everything there fella.

I've done advanced riding courses, tracks, rode with police, group rides of 50 bikes..... Because I prefer I ABS I can't ride is what you're saying lol

I've most likely owned and ridden more bikes that most people on this forum, abs is the safer option

Most bikes are having it as standard, five years time it will be the norm and it makes no difference to riding skills. Abs improves riding in most cases, it's not about skill, it's about the safer option generally.

I've seen the most seasoned riders tip over for pulling too much, even the odd instructor. It's easy done and nothing to do with skill

 

[monkeystrada]

ABS.. mmm. Comparing bikes to cars...

I've nothing against ABS, it's fine proven technology. I know guys who wont even buy a bike unless it's got it on.

But, it detracts from the skill of braking, I've spent years developing that skill, that human fine motor skill that enables me to brake and adjust speed, under pretty much any conditions that I've ever come across on the road, I'm not talking about track riding.
It is possible to lock the front on a bike, the front will skip. I havn't experienced it for some years because tyres have come a long way..

The key thing about braking to remember is do not just grab a handful... slow on then hard, if you are hurtling towards a corner, get off the brakes, settle the bike, relax, and turn it in. Chances are you'll come out the other end and have learnt something.

Good forward planning, and smooth bike operation, learn the skills and you wont need ABS..

Will there be a generation of riders who are totally reliant on technology? I think so, which will be a shame really, because many of the skills of effective riding will be lost forever.

You seem to be assuming that those people with ABS have no skill and just grab a fistful of brake every time they stop. That's definitely not the case.

As i said i've only ever got it to activate once in a real-life situation, the rest of the time it doesn't activate and you never even know it's there. It doesn't replace skill, it's just there as a final safety net when the unexpected happens and the 1% of the time when you might get it wrong.

I think everyone does (and should) still learn on a non-abs bike to make sure they have the proper braking technique, but why not have a little extra help in your corner for when things REALLY go bad. Even the "pro's" with "years of skill" under their belt get it wrong now n then, and it's an expensive and dangerous mistake to make

 

[Kevin1123]

I disagree with everything there fella.

I've done advanced riding courses, tracks, rode with police, group rides of 50 bikes..... Because I prefer I ABS I can't ride is what you're saying lol

I've most likely owned and ridden more bikes that most people on this forum, abs is the safer option

Most bikes are having it as standard, five years time it will be the norm and it makes no difference to riding skills. Abs improves riding in most cases, it's not about skill, it's about the safer option generally.

I've seen the most seasoned riders tip over for pulling too much, even the odd instructor. It's easy done and nothing to do with skill

I'm not saying just because you have ABS you cant ride at all. I too have ridden for some time, winter and summer for thirty seven years, twenty three of those on sports bikes. And I'm saying that braking a motorcycle effectively is a skill that should be learnt.

 

[Kevin1123]

You seem to be assuming that those people with ABS have no skill and just grab a fistful of brake every time they stop. That's definitely not the case.

I'm not saying that at all.

I think everyone does (and should) still learn on a non-abs bike to make sure they have the proper braking technique

Totally agree, and practice makes perfect.

 

[monkeystrada]

Quite agree, as I said, all new riders should learn on a non-ABS bike.

But why not have an extra safety layer? How many people with years of experience and amazing braking skills have still crashed their bikes when the completely unexpected happens? 99% of the time you may get away with it, the other 1% of the time that you can't account for is when its REALLY gonna hurt.

I could understand people not wanting ABS if somehow it ruined your riding experience. But it simply doesn't. You just don't know it's there. You can still perform your tried & perfected super duper braking techniques all day long and not know any different.

Surely anything that can make you safer and ensure you get home to your wife/kids at the end of your ride can only be a good thing?

 

[Kevin1123]

and nothing to do with skill

Totally disagree.

I tell you what though, the ABS non ABS argument will probably go on until the world makes it compulsory. I've never ridden with ABS so only have one view point. My next bike will be a Z1 which wont have ABS or traction control... but that's my choice, at the moment.

Times in all weather riding where I've lost the front to such a degree that it was unsavable in over 200,000 miles of riding, none...

It's personal choice, and riders should hear both sides of the argument...

Any discussion on ABS tends to get riders emotions up

 

[Kevin1123]

Surely anything that can make you safer and ensure you get home to your wife at the end of your ride can only be a good thing?

You never met my exwife

 

[MuleOnWheels]

I agree that learning to brake properly is key, and I had it down on my cruiser. Jumping to a sport bike that was about half the weight of my cruiser with much better brakes, I guess I hadn't practiced emergency stopping on my new ride and learned a lesson the hard way.

Anyway from what I've gathered, it seems that cost is the only real downside to ABS. Skill levels aside, are there any other real downsides to ABS?

 

[CBRHoonigan]

Abs doesnt effect every day or hard riding, Abs kicks in if the sensors tell the wheel is locking up, can any of you say you lock your front wheel up in everyday riding when using your brake, it doesnt effect anything until you hit gravel or snow or water then you will feel the lever pulse as it lets the brakes off, a rode a fireblade with c-abs and i couldnt tell it was on, its just a safety net.

 

[Trinith]

I recently crashed due to my own stupidity (crash video coming shortly). I locked up my front tire at 60mph and went down instantly. Because of this, I'm thinking that ABS will be a necessity for any bike I get in the future.

I'm just starting my research and I'm wondering if there are there any downsides to having ABS on a bike?

The only real downside for a daily rider is dealing with people who claim it will make you a crappy rider, or that real riders don't need it. I know several people who swear by it, and I don't blame them. My bike is just a hair too old to have come with it, but I've often considered adding it in. Shouldn't be that hard, the slightly newer models have it as an option. ABS has saved my ass several times in my truck though.

But, it detracts from the skill of braking, I've spent years developing that skill, that human fine motor skill that enables me to brake and adjust speed, under pretty much any conditions that I've ever come across on the road, I'm not talking about track riding.

And I'm saying that braking a motorcycle effectively is a skill that should be learnt.

There's absolutely NO reason why ABS will force a rider to not learn to brake properly, you seem to think that having it automatically means you're unable to learn to use the brakes correctly. Having it doesn't negate the need to learn that skill at all. It just adds a little more security for those situations when you panic and grab too much while thinking about something else, or when you hit some gravel you didn't see, etc. Avoiding it for the sake of learning to use the brakes right is along the lines of saying you don't need leathers because you should learn not to crash. The ABS has no effect on whether or not you're able to learn the skill. Will having it cause some people to become lazy and complacent? Sure. However those are the same people who likely wouldn't learn to brake properly in the first place.

Good forward planning, and smooth bike operation, learn the skills and you wont need ABS..

Really common phrase comes to mind after reading this gem. It goes as such: "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." Buy a bike with ABS, learn to brake properly anyway, never use the ABS. That sounds fine to me. It's also worth noting that everyone makes mistakes, that includes the both of us. ABS is simply another way to minimize the side-effects of some of those mistakes.