Just wondering if anyone's tried any modern bike ABS system. And I do mean really tried it. Grabbing a handfull in the wet to see what happens, or while really lent over. I tried on an old bmw tourer. It kinda locked up for a foot, then rolled a foot, then repeat until stopped or brake pressure released. I'm sure a lot of you with TC have played with it. Especially on track. But how many have hammered on the brakes and let the ABS sort it out?
I would not advise anyone to grab a handful of front brake in a corner, that will most likey end in tears. You can try the rear abs easily enough, the front takes a bit more balls.
Ducati had them tested by punters at their trackdays, 30mph plus and slam on and avoid obstacle type stuff plus over some loose ground. Everyone who did it seemed mega impressed
Filtering through London traffic ... idiot pedestrian wanders out between the cars without looking ... you bet I've used the ABS ... frequently ...
I've tried the rear ABS on the MTS1200 and I can say it is most successful, no drama or braking at all.
Avoided two rear enders thanks to the ABS. Was off to the New Forest when some twat decided to stop in the middle of the road to look at the ponies - bastard and he got a mouthful from me. Second twat suddenly decided to turn right after a blind 50mph bend without signalling. Didn't have time to tell him anything which was a shame as I had plenty to say to him. Andy
Ok. So it seems it's pretty good on bikes now. Thinking of changing my daily commuter and didn't know whether to splash a bit of extra cash and get something with ABS. I feel some test rides coming
Before long ABS will be a legal requirement on all bikes anyway, so it's a bit late in the day to think of buying any new bike without it. Especially if you might be selling it second-hand in a while.
I think I've just got to try it and hope I don't end up binning a demo bike. Not that it'll be new whatever I go for. Unless a heavily reduced older model.
Not mad enough to try it on purpose hell why would I want to, however I have tried out the TC that works fine
It might not be a popular view but I think that its a worthwhile safety aid but if it operates then you are probably riding outside of your ability or not fully focused, best try to ride within the limits of the laws of physics and not need it.
So it seems the consensus here is play with and trust the electronics with traction, but not braking. I don't see the difference myself. If either system fails when relying on it there's a crash about to happen. The whole game has changed I feel with biking. To be fast now you need to use the electronics packages to the full and to the extent if they're not cutting in you're not trying hard enough. I might say I'm looking at this for my commuter bike, but my commute is a mix of speed, stunts and slides from mid summer to deepest of winter as road riding is just keeping me in shape for track days as I have no natural ability.
Not really mate if the TC doesnt cut in when the arse starts to slide you can still back the throttle of and probably save it from sliding any further, if the abs fails and you lose the front end you aint recovering that
I get that people want to know that it works and understand what it feels like when it does but FFS why would you even think about riding on the road to the point where you were trusting the electronics in ABS & Traction control, forget the value of the bike (& riding a 2014 Pikes Peak, that isn't easy), you want to get where you are going and would presumably not want to spend the night in a hospital bed or worse. The idea of these systems is that they help improve the chances of staying on 2 wheels when you get it wrong and didn't anticipate the unexpected, they are not designed to help you ride faster or protect you from stupidity, if you don't get this save your money and buy a bus pass - it will be the best in the long run. FWIW i do see the value in these systems and prefer to have them but do I ride differently with them - definitely not.
Yes it's for commuting, but also track days and anything in between. My current toy is a TL1000 and have learnt how hard it is to drift a twin in the dry, how controllable it is to do in the wet, how trail braking can help tighten up your line and how to use the back brake to control slides and wheelies. All on my daily ride to work and back. And I've locked the front plenty of times when pushing and been lucky enough to save it every time. This is why I asked the question. I push myself everyday given the chance, isn't that what sports bikes are for?
I've smoked the front tyre on occasion,(idiocy rather than bravery) and not planted it,so I've assumed the ABS did it's job and I didn't notice. Are you supposed to feel the lever pulsing or something? Because I never have,even with a tyre shrieking for mercy with a cigar on...*shrug*....
