[Mav68erick]

Yes people could answer a simple yes or no question. The people of this community however are trying to explain that disabling this feature would be against your best interest. Some choose to explain this using a sledge hammer and others take the time to post well thought out explanations. Bottom line these responses are from people that care about others well being and want to make sure they think about this before they do anything that may cause them more harm than good.

I myself have been riding since I was 7 years old. Even with all of my experience I have been in situations where I was able to stop in a shorter distance because of ABS than I would without. ABS is not entirely for inexperienced riders. It allows you to stop the bike in a shorter distance to prevent an accident you may otherwise have not been able to avoid.

You cannot modulate your breaks anywhere near as fast as the ABS system can. This is for certain conditions where ABS does a better job than you can no matter what your experience is.

Washboard roads were mentioned. I stop on non washboard surfaces much more frequently than washboard surfaces.

It was also mentioned by the OP that they do not ride close to other vehicles and in rain situations they allow even more distance. That is great and a good practice however you cannot control the environment around you. Somebody can cut in front of your "cushion" space then feel the need to hit their breaks hard where you need to stop shorter than you "planned". There are other situations I should not need to go into.

ABS only kicks in when it senses the wheel is going to lock up. If you can modulate your breaks and stop in time without wheel lockup you will not activate the system. If however you apply a bit too much pressure ABS will prevent your wheel from locking up.

I have ridden this bike since 2008 and have logged 22,000 miles on it. In this time period I have had the ABS kick in twice. Those two times were emergency stopping situations. Situations I could not foresee to prevent the need to stop very quickly. ABS saved me those two times and is worth every cent in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6R8vNm7_M

Ok So all in all Abs on a bike isnt as bad as I thought, and yes I appreciate everys " Honest " answer if they told me only what I wanted to hear then the need to ask the question would have been pointless. Just the thought of it seems awkward.

But the things is if someones cut in front of you and your doing say 40 since thats the average speed for most roads these country are 55, and someone pulls directly infront of you, abs no abs is gonna help, but I can see it being good in an OH shit moment when you panic and squeeze to hard.

 

[$uicide $hift]

But the things is if someones cut in front of you and your doing say 40 since thats the average speed for most roads these country are 55, and someone pulls directly infront of you, abs no abs is gonna help, but I can see it being good in an OH shit moment when you panic and squeeze to hard.

In this situation if you can come to a stop safely in a shorter distance with ABS than without you have more of a chance to avoid an accident. You may still have an accident but the quicker you can stop in a shorter distance sure increases your chances to avoid the accident vs. non ABS emergency stop.

Just the thought of it seems awkward.

Yes I can understand why you were thinking this way. I felt the same way when I was going over the option to have it or not. Coming from dirt bikes I was thinking I knew how to avoid an accident and or how to fall properly to prevent myself from getting hurt.

I can tell you the first time ABS saved me was when I was on a two lane road and the moron to the left of me did not bother to look before switching lanes. I grabbed that front brake hard as hell and slammed my rear break. I almost came to a complete stop in a matter of seconds avoiding an accident. Without ABS I could not have braked like that or come to a stop so quickly without going down. In that situation without ABS I would have been taken out by the car because breaking "properly" would not have gotten me out of the way quick enough. That one time right there made me glad I ponied up the extra 800.00.

 

[rsc]

nevermind this is just dumb.

 

[SickRick]

HD ABS is probably the best implementation I've ever ridden - better than BMW (who developed the first ABS equipped bikes), better than the ricers.

You want to DISABLE it? Cut your wheel sensor wires and deal with the constant on ABS idiot light (and the term "idiot light" would definitely apply in this case).

ABS is not the end-all/be-all, is not a substitute for safe riding practices, and won't help in a situation where a collision is absolutely unavoidable. Here in SoFla, the cagers treat us like we have bullseyes, the roads are hot and covered in A/C discharge, oil, tranny fluid, etc. - that all floats to the top at the slightest hint of moisture. ABS on this bike has saved me in panic stops, and low speed stuff where crap on the road would have dumped me.

Don't think that I will ever buy another bike that DOES NOT HAVE IT - even if it costs extra...

Rick

 

[AOW]

I just discovered that unlike every other motorcycle company out there that offers ABS on their bikes, that the HD ABS is not linked. Meaning that if you grab a handful brakes only the front brakes are engaged. Conversely, if you stomp on the rear, only the rear is engaged.
With the link ABS, engaging one instantly engages the other to maximize safety and minimize stopping distances... Just remember to stomp and grab the brakes in an emergency stop situation.
Shame on HD for saving stepping over a buck to save a dime!

 

[00ttvr6]

1 min into the video above it explains that.

 

[VrodPete]

I just discovered that unlike every other motorcycle company out there that offers ABS on their bikes, that the HD ABS is not linked. Meaning that if you grab a handful brakes only the front brakes are engaged. Conversely, if you stomp on the rear, only the rear is engaged.
With the link ABS, engaging one instantly engages the other to maximize safety and minimize stopping distances... Just remember to stomp and grab the brakes in an emergency stop situation.
Shame on HD for saving stepping over a buck to save a dime!

I'm not a big fan of the linked systems though. The system can make low speed maneuvering a little tricker because you get front brake whether you want it or not... and trail braking in a turn you entered a little too fast can be a real adventure. If I had a choice, I'd always select independent systems simply because when I am braking a motorcycle I'm on both brakes anyway.

 

[AOW]

is it not possible to only have the ABS linked and not all braking?

 

[VrodPete]

is it not possible to only have the ABS linked and not all braking?

I can't say, but I do know that the BMW system is linked BRAKES, not ABS. I'm not sure how you'd link ABS, since they need the rotational speed of the wheel input for the wheel where the brake will be controlled.

 

[Deuces]

I'm not a big fan of the linked systems though. The system can make low speed maneuvering a little tricker because you get front brake whether you want it or not... and trail braking in a turn you entered a little too fast can be a real adventure. If I had a choice, I'd always select independent systems simply because when I am braking a motorcycle I'm on both brakes anyway.

same.

was weary about ABS on a bike til i actually rode with it. a linked system would be hard to get used to, and i certainly wouldn't like it

 

[anamericanzero]

Yes. Do a standing burnout for a few seconds. Make sure front wheel doesn’t move. ABS light will turn on. BOOM abs is shut off till you turn it off then back on. Do skids, burnies, etc. it’s an easy way without modifying your bike. Makes rolling burnouts way easier. Locking up the rear! Be safe. Only do this myself for stunt shit.