Mandatory ABS on all bikes??

[ben10281]

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...ome-mandatory/

Just read this article and thought it could stir up a good discussion. I know BMW's have been doing it for years but anyone ride the newer ABS bikes? What do you think of them. I know it seems like more sportbikes are showing up with the option. (SV's, CBR's, Interceptor's) Cycleworld did a recent article on the CBR600 ABS and it seemed like a pretty positive article.

This is my first post, so hello to everyone! I have been a member for a while, and casually browsed the board, but I recently had a kid and find myself with a bit more down time. I have been missing out on a lot of great stuff!!

[legalspeed]

You do realize the post count shows up under your location, right?

[ben10281]

Yea, what I meant to say was that this was my first post in a while. Sorry about that.

[rbrais]

I can brake very well on my own, thank you. And when I want to slide the ass out to go around a car that just pulled out in front of me, I should be able to do it. If I had ABS last summer I'd probably be dead right now because there was no way I was stopping in time.

Shadow 1100, front brake on full, bike almost completely sideways dirt-track-style. Man it was pretty! Too bad my shorts didn't agree.

That girl I almost hit looked like she was gonna piss herself.

[jwm2k3]

I think ABS brakes are a great idea for all bikes.

[Kurlon]

It's not manditory on cars, nor have all the car mfgs figured out how to do a reasonable ABS setup... (my 2002 Forester for example, that ABS setup was USELESS, and possibly more dangerous than going without.) Telling Hyosung to throw ABS at their bikes now would likely make them death traps... I don't want BMW's setup forced down my throat either... I'm sorry, if a bike can safely sustain more than 1G of braking, LET IT. Duc's ABS does...

[rbrais]

Originally Posted by Kurlon

It's not manditory on cars, nor have all the car mfgs figured out how to do a reasonable ABS setup... (my 2002 Forester for example, that ABS setup was USELESS, and possibly more dangerous than going without.) Telling Hyosung to throw ABS at their bikes now would likely make them death traps... I don't want BMW's setup forced down my throat either... I'm sorry, if a bike can safely sustain more than 1G of braking, LET IT. Duc's ABS does...

The ABS on my Ranger sucks in the wet and the snow. Almost wrecked me a few times.

[tonup]

I'm all for having it as an option. It will, unfortunately, give some riders that false sense of security in my opinion. Compare it to those that have it (or better yet, 4wd) on their cages. They seem to use it as their crutch for their less than desireable driving skills. I say just go back to drum brakes, they will work about the same with less technological glitches.

[Kurlon]

Originally Posted by tonup

I'm all for having it as an option. It will, unfortunately, give some riders that false sense of security in my opinion. Compare it to those that have it (or better yet, 4wd) on their cages. They seem to use it as their crutch for their less than desireable driving skills. I say just go back to drum brakes, they will work about the same with less technological glitches.

That is part of why Ducati is holding back on enabling traction control on all their bikes, and is big on noting that it's for TRACK use. They don't want people to think it's a cure all and start suing for any single bike crash...

[schleppy]

I have mixed feelings on it. I really like the idea of ABS in inclement weather (and even in dry weather panic braking). My issue with ABS comes with the amount of complexity/weight/cost it adds to the bike. That article about the CBR ABS vs Non-ABS showed photos/drawings of how much extras stuff is tacked onto the bike and it was substantial.

I'm a big fan of simplicity.

[Honclfibr]

If asked, the majority of people will tell you that they are above average riders/drivers.

Unfortunately, this is statistically impossible.

[rbrais]

Originally Posted by Honclfibr

If asked, the majority of people will tell you that they are above average riders/drivers.

Unfortunately, this is statistically impossible.

And the majority of those would tell you that it is safer to lay the bike down then to use the front brake for fear of washing out.

[Slyder27]

All my bikes have had anti-lock brakes...my 88 cbr 600, 94 gixxer 750, 01 gixxer 750 and now the 07 gixxer 1k. All of 'em. My middle finger on my right hand, all the anti-lock braking I need.

Now if it was an option on a bike, I'd go without (and most likely save some coin) if it was standard, I'd look for a way to disable it.

[Honclfibr]

Am I the only one who feels that, in the kind of situation where I might be concerned about the front washing, there's a strong possibility I might not be as good as a computer about achieving maximum braking without locking the front wheel? If for no reason than the computer won't be busy shitting itself while simultaneously attempting to brake.

I consider myself a good rider, but I'm not superman. Give me the ABS any day.

[rbrais]

ABS on the front might be ok, but I at least want full control over the rear. Nah, screw it. I don't want it at all.

[Kurlon]

Originally Posted by Honclfibr

Am I the only one who feels that, in the kind of situation where I might be concerned about the front washing, there's a strong possibility I might not be as good as a computer about achieving maximum braking without locking the front wheel? If for no reason than the computer won't be busy shitting itself while simultaneously attempting to brake.

There in lies my beef with making it mandatory. We don't have standards for ABS on cars, and there are some truly horrid setups out there. Good ABS is good, but bad ABS is worse than none at all. I'd love a good setup on my ST3, and Ducati has one of the best bike setups available, but at the time it wasn't an option on m bike. BMWs is ok, but it has some stupid limitations like releasing if it senses 1g of decceleration... Then there are the chinese 'ABS' setups that are popping up on scooters/etc, nothing more than an air bladder and rubber diaphragm tee'd off the brake line at the caliper. There is at least one American company promoting these as an upgrade for street bikes... DO NOT WANT.

Give me good ABS as an option, cool. Force 'ABS' on everyone so I get crap, I won't bother buying a new bike.

[G21forme]

I don't like mandatory anything

[mikeb]

my interceptor had abs, it was seemless and i know for a fact it saved my ass more than once. i'll all for it but i wouldn't mind the option to run without it especially on the rear wheel when i feel like getting my hooligan on.

[RandyO]

I wouldn't mind having a switchable system, I ride too many gravel roads where ABS would be a nuisance

[Honclfibr]

Yeah, I should clarify, I'm not for mandatory ABS, I just don't have the arrogance/awesomeness to believe that I could do better than an ABS system in 99% of the times it would be useful.

[ben10281]

In doing some reading on the new Honda C-ABS system for the CBR's it sounds like it is a completely electronic system. However, it also sounds like it can function like a normal system when a certain valve is opened. For example, when the bike is off the valve is open allowing normal brake use when moving the bike around (loading in a truck etc...), but when the bike is on and moving then the valve is closed and the ABS system is on. If this is the case I would think it wouldn't be that hard to make the system switchable on the fly.

Would those of you who don't want the system at all be averse to being able to switch it on when you get caught in the rain? I think the Honda system is like 20-25 lbs, is it worth the extra weight?

Anyone here ridden the SV with an ABS system? I am curious as to what that is like.

[Tricky Mike]

Originally Posted by Kurlon

There in lies my beef with making it mandatory. We don't have standards for ABS on cars, and there are some truly horrid setups out there. Good ABS is good, but bad ABS is worse than none at all. I'd love a good setup on my ST3, and Ducati has one of the best bike setups available, but at the time it wasn't an option on m bike. BMWs is ok, but it has some stupid limitations like releasing if it senses 1g of decceleration... Then there are the chinese 'ABS' setups that are popping up on scooters/etc, nothing more than an air bladder and rubber diaphragm tee'd off the brake line at the caliper. There is at least one American company promoting these as an upgrade for street bikes... DO NOT WANT.

Give me good ABS as an option, cool. Force 'ABS' on everyone so I get crap, I won't bother buying a new bike.

That's some good ass postin' right there
+1

[mrezra]

Agreed.

[toocrazy2yoo]

I don't want linked brakes, I don't want ABS. I'm better than either system for the riding I do, wet, dry, sand or railroad tracks.. The front tire on this bike will do a stoppie in the rain, a stoppie in the dry, and I don't need a computer telling me not to stop too hard. It really doesn't get any better than that and *I* will figure that out for myself.

What the Hell happened here? Is motorcycling a nursery school or is it MOTORCYCLING?

Someone make a choice, will ya?

Are we Gloucester-men, or not?

[RandyO]

along with ABS, we need automatic tranmissions,