Demo; ABS and non-ABS bike

[Grey Thumper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zv3Sacl7JQ

Whoah, I was pretty impressed at this. I wouldn't not choose a bike because it wasn't available with ABS, but this makes me glad mine does.

[AlphaZed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zv3Sacl7JQ

Whoah, I was pretty impressed at this. I wouldn't not choose a bike because it wasn't available with ABS, but this makes me glad mine does.

The video is a little exaggerated. The rider with the outrigger absolutely stands on the rear brake, on slick pavement and locks it up. Had he used his front brake only or 80/20% front/rear, respectively, the video isn't anywhere near as dramatic!

[Skier]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zv3Sacl7JQ

Whoah, I was pretty impressed at this. I wouldn't not choose a bike because it wasn't available with ABS, but this makes me glad mine does.

The video is a little exaggerated. The rider with the outrigger absolutely stands on the rear brake, on slick pavement and locks it up. Had he used his front brake only or 80/20% front/rear, respectively, the video isn't anywhere near as dramatic!

Agreed. The non-ABS rider just dynamited the brakes. Proper training and practice will make the odds of that happening go way down.

That said if ABS is an option on my next bike I'm springing for it.

[AlphaZed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zv3Sacl7JQ

Whoah, I was pretty impressed at this. I wouldn't not choose a bike because it wasn't available with ABS, but this makes me glad mine does.

The video is a little exaggerated. The rider with the outrigger absolutely stands on the rear brake, on slick pavement and locks it up. Had he used his front brake only or 80/20% front/rear, respectively, the video isn't anywhere near as dramatic!

Agreed. The non-ABS rider just dynamited the brakes. Proper training and practice will make the odds of that happening go way down.

That said if ABS is an option on my next bike I'm springing for it.

I'd seriously consider ABS as well. My concern though, is for the front brake. Under really hard braking, my rear wheel is often a few inches off the ground, so other than trail braking, I don't use the rear brake. However, ABS applied to front could save a front-end wash-out when the limit of adhesion is reached.

I also worry that ABS (and traction control) are going to change the way I ride. For example, say the rear wheel is off the ground during hard braking; is ABS gonna modulate the front just so the rear wheel is planted? Or what about trail braking? I often trail the rear into turns, what is ABS gonna do to that?

[Grey Thumper]

I also worry that ABS (and traction control) are going to change the way I ride.

Yeah, for that reason, I'm willing to spring for ABS if it's available, but not traction control. ABS by it's nature will be used basically for emergencies. It's always good to practice panic stops, but in a real emergency, I've gotta admit, I doubt my braking technique will be up to par. Traction control on the other hand is not an emergency system IMHO, and is not an excuse for poor technique and prudent riding.

[sapaul]

Alphaz, this can be very bike specific as a lot of ABS systems are different. Take the K1200s that I had. The ABS only operated when the front brake was used, this linked it to the back at the same time. The rear brake was not linked and can be used independantly.

The first bike I had with ABS was the BMW RT and the first time it let go for that fraction of a second, I nearly pooped.