ABS was first developed in 1929 for aircraft and entered into general use on automobiles in the 70′s. In 1981 BMW introduced ABS on a motorcycle. Early in the 21st century, ABS is now becoming more routinely available on motorcycles, either as standard equipment or as an option.
But what the heck is ABS? To begin with, an Anti-Lock Braking System incorporates computerized sensors to determine when a wheel is on the verge of locking-up. It then gives instant instructions to the brakes to release and re-apply braking pressure (pumping) a whole bunch of times per second, while you are steadily engaging the brakes.
What results is slowing and/or stopping without skidding. (A skidding tire has less traction than one that is not skidding).
And they are very easy to use. In an emergency situation on an ABS bike, just apply the brakes hard! Do not manually pump your brakes. Aggressive braking will initiate the ABS system automatically and the rider can concentrate on the immediate threat — and not the brakes.
That’s the good news.
On the other hand, many experienced riders can bring their non-ABS bike to a stop faster than an ABS equipped bike, by way of well-practiced, efficient, front and rear braking — particularly on clean, dry pavement. The question is can you do that under the stress of a life-threatening, panic-braking scenario? And even more to the point, how refined are your emergency braking skills on wet or dirty roads?
If you have attended a motorcycle event in which BMW was one of the participating vendors, you may have seen their demonstration and/or video where they compare the braking performance of ABS and non-ABS equipped bikes on flooded pavement. The demo-motorcycles are equipped with outriggers, to prevent the bikes from completely going down. The bikes are each ridden into several inches of water whereby they apply emergency braking. The non-ABS motorcycle loses control, falls over onto the outriggers and spins out. However, the bike with ABS makes a controlled, straight-line stop.
Is ABS or non-ABS best for you?
Any riders experience a flat with ABS? The riding course I attended taught no breaking on the flat tire.
Honda ST1300A and Honda ST1100A to add a couple more models to the list of ABS models. And both models have linked brakes and the 1100A has traction control as well.
Also the 1100A was the first bike on the planet with linked braking sytem.
In the 6 years and 130,000kms I’ve had my 1100A there may have been only two situations where the ABS may have activated. The traction control isn’t a concern as I never accelerate hard enough to cause wheel spin.
Goldwing, BMW, some Victory’s
can u name any bikes which is currently equipped with abs???
what should I do to enhance the performance of my bike and car. I also wanted knowledge in cars and bikes
how to connect the noss in my apache 180 bike….tell me sum suggeation…..
ABS can actualy be a detriment for a newbie on a sport bike it allows the ride to ride build bad habbits that should not be promoted. Let’s face it if you enter a fast corner and oyu apply the brakes in a manner that engages the ABS you are doing the wrong thing.
Unless you are riding an all terrain motorcycle in Rain or Snow ABS is a waste of money and adds extra weight. Liter Calss supersport motorcycle have no business putting ABS,
the latest Traction control systems are another issue this is a new technology that gives the rider the ability to power out of a corner without worrying about his rear tire breaking and causing him to low side or high side if he tries to counter steer because lets face it if oyu have never had the rear tire break on you and lived ot talk about it you are not experinced and hope you never will.
My last machine has it and am extremely happy with italso on the car. with this it avoids any cadence braking
It’s good to have a good technology; but it comes with a price & whether you can afford it is another point.
I guess people who started riding now or a few years back might be the one’s who would obviously like to take this advantage into their steed.
But like you said MCg, we who have been running without ABS for quite some time now and have gone through enough ( well, never say enough
) hard braking on mud or gravel or black-ice would emphasise, a little extra caution and care towards the surface on which one is riding is usually enough to prevent any fall apart from occassional mild fish-tailing that one must be ready to counter with hard handle grip & leg positioning. It is certainly not desirable to ride in higher speeds than what shall obtain efficient friction from the surface of riding, which INCLUDES Emergency situations. For bikers too indignant to adjust their riding style with conditions & still wish to zoom, well, for them ABS is nodoubt good.
I personally woudn’t mind NOT having ABS on my bike if it helps me reduce that much dependency on sensors ( plus reduced electronics weight & space ) and lets me be more sure of my braking actions on the less-intelligent (mechanical) systems. Particularly on tours of prolonged riding in desolate hilly terrains, where I would prefer my bike to function exactly as I require & not possess a mind of it’s own.
Happy riding.
I have not ridden a bike with ABS but I had a company Chevy van and did not know it had ABS. I was coming down a snowy road when a guy ran a light and I was forced to make a panic stop. I jammed on the brakes and the pounding of the ABS scared the hell out of me. The van came to a straight stop and the guy running the light escaped me plowing into him. I was impresses with the ABS but the pounding of the brakes pulsing was a hell of a surprise.
Yes ,ABS system for bike is an ipressive technique. total skidding of bike is elimanateed . the cobined braking system of ABS . it has a well feature scope.