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Should ABS be a requirement?

11K views 86 replies 34 participants last post by  richw 
#1 ·
Hi. I'm looking to buy my first bike and definitely decided on the V-Strom 650 due to the reliability, versatility, and overall performance. I've been looking for a used one to save money. My question... should I only look for a model with ABS? Those seem to be rare in my area unless I want to buy a new 2011. However, I did find a great deal on a 2007 without ABS. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
#53 ·
Lol, you've mentioned that before; that "accident" wasn't one; it was a brake failure. We've discussed it at great length.
If the brake had locked on the other wheel, your van would have spun around.
What was wrong with the brakes on the other two wheels? The only ABS I know of that works on both wheels of an axle at the same time (which is what you seem to be describing) is a really old ABS system that was used on the rear wheels of pickup trucks and some SUVs. I don't know everything, but I think that your front brakes should have been able to save you had you not been following so closely. In any case, your story doesn't make sense.
 
#55 ·
My Ford pickup had a 3 channel ABS system; there was only one sensor for the rear axle. The truck was an '03. I don't count that as 'really old'. Also the rear brakes on an unloaded pickup are almost as useless as tits on a bull. Fords engineers realized this too, it had wimpy drums out back and beefy disks up front.

The worst part about that 3 channel system was when the truck was in 4WD. The truck had a part-time 4WD system where the front and rear axles are locked together via the transfer case. The ABS system had a definite 2WD bias. I slid through more than one intersection with the ABS cycling madly out of control.

But anyway.


I absolutely do not think that ABS should be required for any vehicle. I do not think airbags or such 'passive restraint' crap should be required for automobiles. And I do not think that seat belts or helmets should be required by law.

I believe all of these things should be left up to the consumer and the market.

Although I like the ABS on my bike and am glad I got it.
 
#63 ·
Just say no

Ive had a couple bikes with ABS, and its nice to know its there I guess, but IMO its definitely not a necessity and its not something that would convince me to buy or not buy a specific bike. It not a replacement for skill and experience. My Wee does not have it, but I looked at one that did when buying, and ended up with mine because I liked the color better......
 
#65 ·
In comparing a car's ABS and bike's ABS you are all forgetting the most important thing:
Cars stay upright when you lock the wheels up.

I don't know anyone that can keep a bike upright long enough to stop with the front wheel locked up. If you can do it, please post a video.
 
#66 ·
I specifically went out and bought a 2011 because it has ABS. I've done high performance race schools where we are driving many very expensive cars through a variety of different coarses and drills. Basically taking the driver and vehicle to it's limits. It becomes very obvious the benefits of ABS far out way the "control" you think you would have in an emergency situation. This is one technology that's really not in dispute when you see it in action. Sure there may be an extremely small number of situations where a driver MIGHT be better without it. But I think for normal driving in regular traffic on day where the roads are wet or sandy ABS is the way to go. On ice nothing will help.
 
#68 ·
If you can always use the maximum braking available from the bike under all conditions without locking the wheels - the ABS will never kick in and you won't have problems with it.

Strangely enough, the riders that claim to be that good are the same ones who are saying ABS is 'dangerous'.

Think about that.

And, first time in a couple of years, I really wished I'd had ABS - I had a car (apparently without working brake lights) stop in front of me suddenly and I had to rapidly peel off 70kph in peak hour commuter traffic.
I managed it, but wrenched some muscles in my back and had to live with the smell of burning rubber for the rest of my commute.

I think ABS would have beaten my performance ;)

Pete
 
#69 ·
I think one point many have missed is that all ABS systems are not equal. For instance, GM has had in the past a particularly bad system that I know from driving on snow and ice intentionally for a very long time that I can out perform it every single time. No doubts. And I am also confident this is true in the wet. A prevous poster supported ABS's great advantage in expensive sports cars on a race track - yes that is true but do you think that is the same system on a Chevrolet Aveo?

Where ABS might be helpful is in evasive manuevers where your attention is diverted from braking to steering.

I have no experience with motorcycle ABS but soon will when I pick up my 2012 Wee, at which point I will gladly report. Then I will have a better idea if ABS should be required on motorcycles, but it should not be in cages until at least some companies develop better systems.
 
#71 ·
I practice 2 different maneuvers in the spring to tune myself up

First one.

Pure panic stop both brakes as quick as I can down for 60 ish

2nd

Panic braking down to 10 or 15 followed by a lane wide swerve. I think it is most important to avoid an impact which I would maintain is best done by getting around. Like aim at the rear bumper of the car cutting you off.

This is probably where the ABS would be a real help. Not to outbrake you but provide steering control for you to hopefully find your way around the problem and pass it. IN a way requiring more skill and training to fixate on the way out.

Government NO but for anyone near new or no dirt rider a very good idea.
 
#73 ·
Never had ABS on a motorcyle and do not feel like I have missed anything. Maybe when I ride one with it I can be convinced. My personal experience with ABS on several vehicles has been less than stellar. Compacts, sedans, subcompacts, SUVs, pickups, foreign and domestic. Significantly increased stopping distance and loss of braking control on multiple surfaces. Me no like. Many more bad experiences than good. I have to drive extensively in many different vehicles due to my geographic location and work. The best ABS I have experienced is in the '09 Malibu LTZ, but still have had situations where I have had to avoid deer on bumpy pavement where the cycling took my concentration away from avoidence to braking. Not good.
 
#79 ·
I wish everyone were as thoughtful and attentive as you BassMan. I don't doubt your experience or conclusions one bit. You are the kind of person I wish was behind the wheel of every car, truck or motorcycle. You are paying attention and your paying attention to your machine and what is going on is way more important than if you have ABS or not.

Now the soccer mom (or dad) in the minivan is a whole 'nother ball game. Give that citizen ABS please, I hope, I hope, for her sake and mine. We all need the help with that person on the road.

I also postulate one circumstance where even you BassMan would benifit from ABS, in the rain. Maybe even Valentino Rossi would do well with ABS in the rain, I don't know, I'd take his word for it.
 
#76 ·
ABS should not be mandatory.... having a skill set should be.... if you cannot ride without ABS.... you should not be riding .....period....
 
#81 ·
:beatdeadhorse5::beatdeadhorse5:

All computer systems are operated by algorithms and assumptions

They can't anticipate every surface and they make the effort to try to keep static friction and directional control as the goal.

If they loved us they would fire a piton and arresting cable into the ground

Well it will all be mute because within 20 years the smart cars will have radar gps and web type communications so the car won't let you turn into another car etc.

Also force you to obey

The next generation of sheeple will accept the banning of dangerous pursuits like motorcycling or leaving your assigned space.
 
#86 ·
As I recall reading on another thread posted by another inmate, discussing anything with you Duck is an exercise in futility. I quit. You win.
Why the ad hominem?
It's not the duck you argue with or discuss, it's the argument he presents.

Can you attack the idea, or is it that you cannot and therefore shoot the messenger?
 
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