[me3]

Vid1 - YouTube - ‪ABS on Dirt‬‏
Vid2 - I can't find it - it's a BMW GS running away down a hill.

BUT - this is NOT my experience with ABS on my strom. I've used it on dirt roads, wet roads, dry roads and muddy tracks. it just works. Every time.

I'm going to do some tests and video them when I get time.

Has ANYONE had their bike runaway uncontrollably on gravel or be sure it took longer to stop?

I can't believe Suzuki bought the best software, but the results seem to work.
Experiences?

Thanx
Paul

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

Has ANYONE had their bike runaway uncontrollably on gravel or be sure it took longer to stop?l

Yes, I have.

It was a steep rock-strewn stretch of what may have once been a dirt road.

The bike behaved exactly as if I had no brakes at.

 

[p38arover]

Has ANYONE had their bike runaway uncontrollably on gravel or be sure it took longer to stop?

Funny you should ask. Last Saturday, a friend (who is part of the team who do the tests for the Australian 2Wheels magazine Bike of the Year) was telling me this happened to him recently on a Suzuki SVF650 Gladius on a steep gravel drive. It was as if he had no brakes. He dropped the bike - fortunately at walking pace.

 

[Stixx]

My BMW has unswitchable ABS (it's not a GS it's an RT) so I became used to being able to trail brake when riding fast in the mountains. I was very concerned I'd drop my new (used) Wee because it had no ABS. Now that I am used to not relying on ABS I do not miss it in the dry. I would love to have it don't get me wrong but I have to remind myself to leave the rear brake out of the mixx when riding hard in the twisties . The Wee really doesn't need ABS in my view as the brakes are so linear on mine and so easily modulated right up to the limits of adhesion I believe I can stop safely without ABS on most surfaces and let's face it ABS can do only so much and physics takes over. I suspect that large loose gravel would be a bad idea with ABS turned on. There are kits to make it switchable and If I ever got an ABS model I would seriously consider making it switchabe. All BMW dual sport designes are switchable I believe.

 

[chicago]

For my rare steep descents (not encountered one yet) on gravel/dirt I would temporary remove the abs fuse.

 

[rconti]

I've had it happen plenty of times while railing on pavement, forget gravel.

 

[notacop]

My 2004 Wee doesn't have ABS and I like the positive feel it has. My 800ST BMW has really sucky ABS and feels like Chit on bumpy pavement. I know it'd be useless on gravel or dirt.
Without the ABS on the Strom making weird decisions, I won't have to worry about playing off pavement.

 

[SittingDuck]

Vid1 - YouTube - ‪ABS on Dirt‬‏

The speed from which the bike is braking in the third braking "measure" is about half that from the first attempt; methinks it's normal for any bike to stop in 1/4 the distance under those circumstances...

My only opinion is that I liked having ABS the time I went offroad; it meant I could use the front brake more and slow down faster.

I have limited experience with that type of stuff however, and I suggest we run an actual scientific study with an appropriate sample and appropriate controls.
We can then publish our results in an academic journal, or on youtube, depending on if we want our study to be peer-reviewed or sneer-reviewed.

 

[jokermtb]

The stock Strom brakes are somewhat, one could argue, naturally anti-lock!

 

[Midnullarbor]

.
Am happy for the front ABS to operate on dirt.
But it would be great to have an OFF setting for rear ABS then.
.

 

[Jimm]

The stock Strom brakes are somewhat, one could argue, naturally anti-lock!

I believe Harley Davidson produced the original anti lock brakes.

 

[scrivens]

It was a steep rock-strewn stretch of what may have once been a dirt road.

The bike behaved exactly as if I had no brakes at all.

Second that. I was only doing about 10mph, but the bike just kept on running at the same speed with no braking at all - and nearly went over a 40' drop as a result. I put the Eastern Beaver ABS cable in after that. I flick the switch off and then back on again (ABS won't reset until the bike has been restarted) and cycle the ignition while the bike is moving (clutch in of course) to re-activate it. Sliding the rear under brakes or power is how I learnt to ride dirt and I'm too old to start again.

 

[banditrider]

Not something unique to Suzuki. I've had a few issues on my Connie when braking hard on rough tarseal. Very freaky when carrying a bit of steam...

I'm now more aware of the issue and adjust my riding style when riding on dodgy road surfaces.

I can definitely believe that it could be a problem off-road or on gravel. (Luckily I bought a Vee eh?)

 

[Hayden]

This is my first bike with abs naturally I have been experimenting
somewhat. Riding home in the rain last week i delibrately tried
to lock up the back brake only to find zero braking performance.
Not sure what to think yet

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

Riding home in the rain last week i delibrately tried
to lock up the back brake only to find zero braking performance.
Not sure what to think yet

ABS does not create traction where it doesn't exist.

 

[Hayden]

ABS does not create traction where it doesn't exist.

understood however traction was available as I progressively increased pressure on the rear brake trying to force the back tire to lock up the bike went from slowing rapidly to feeling like I had pulled in the clutch (which I had not) and freewheeling forward unchecked.

As mentioned I have never had abs on a bike before I am sure as I put more miles in the bike I will see what works and what does not.

Regards

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

understood however traction was available as I progressively increased pressure on the rear brake trying to force the back tire to lock up the bike went from slowing rapidly to feeling like I had pulled in the clutch (which I had not) and freewheeling forward unchecked.

As mentioned I have never had abs on a bike before I am sure as I put more miles in the bike I will see what works and what does not.

Regards

The best thing to do absent an ABS on-the-fly bypass switch in a steep, gravelly descent is to kill the power and deadhead down, allowing the rear tire to dig in. Advice I failed to incorporate on Fry Mountain, resulting in some bent luggage racks, a broken windsheild, turn signal and some fairing scrapes. My semi-uncontrolled descent was very much as you described.

If I am on familiar gravel roads I'll leave the ABS on. With front knobby on gravel, ABS actuially works pretty good, at least to the extent to which my 'nads allowed me to test it.

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

understood however traction was available as I progressively increased pressure on the rear brake trying to force the back tire to lock up the bike went from slowing rapidly to feeling like I had pulled in the clutch (which I had not) and freewheeling forward unchecked.

This got me to thinking that a progressive ABS system, or a setting for gravel whereby the rear ABS did not interfere, might be a good idea. I wonder if the new Ducati Multistrata does this in it's myriad suspention/tuning settings.

 

[redbike72]

I believe Harley Davidson produced the original anti lock brakes.

In the late 70's, Honda quickly adapted that idea by using the finest oak for disc brake pads and genuine Canadian Bacon for the drum brake linings. (see the 1979 CB750K)
In wet weather they were absolutely fool proof.

 

[Voltar]

On my GS with anti lock I was having a hard time stopping the bike on a steep gravel downhill (walking pace and increasing in speed). The ABS wouldn't let the bike stop. I just quickly shut the key off and went from there.

The ABS does work well. In 60,000 miles on my GS that the experience above was the only negative one I had and it was easily corrected.

Still glad my Vee does not have ABS though...