ABS brakes ?

[locksmith]

Never had ABS on a bike, whats it like?

Looking at an MT-09 and the ABS I can have much quicker than the non-abs model.

I think they said £400 difference, is it worth it?

Can you still change your own pads and clean and lube the callipers and pistons?

[Mattsplat]

I think its worth it.

Only ever had it kick in twice but on both of them occasions it saved me going face first down the road.

[BBROWN1664]

I've got ABS on the CBF1000 and to be honest I have no idea what they are like as it has never cut in.
Regarding the maintenance, its all easily done still by the home mechanic, just need to read the manual on how to do it. In most cases you open up the bleed valve to push the pistons back rather than force fluid back via the ABS pump. Just means at break pad time you need to refil the brake fluid too.

[noggythenog]

I only know from when i did my test that i ended up with an ABS bike on my test......it took allot of the thought process out on a stressful day when i had other things to focus on.....for normal braking i think normal brakes are fine but when the shit hits the fan we can all be caught out or be forced to grab that brake lever.


& i've locked up my front twice so i prob need it...I'm so used to having ABS on cars nowadays.


I did some advanced driving years ago in a truck & we practiced slamming on the anchors & steering round cones whilst still braking using ABS which you can do on 4 wheel ABS....obviously an advantage.......but not sure what trickery you can pull with bike ABS.


I also read here recently that it is harder to do home maintenance as you'd like to do....I'm sure there was an article in an old MCN.

[midden]

Means you'll be able to steer while heavily braking so sounds worthwhile to me

[locksmith]

I don't think you'll be able to go into a bend on full brakes/abs but maybe if upright you may be able to steer around the front of the car that's pulled out?

[adeejaysdelight]

Means you'll be able to steer while heavily braking so sounds worthwhile to me

No. Physics still apply to bikes with ABS. Do not steer and brake hard at the same time.

[AndyL]

I've never ridden with it but I was told you can't really steer with it on. I've locked up my rear wheel on most bikes I've ridden but so far have kept the front in check. I'd like to have ABS for straight line braking just in case.

[midden]

Yes  I was meaning that little bit need to swerve a potential hit.  Something I could have done with some years back.  Although reading further about them it seems they have sensors to detect the lean angle and compensate accordingly if braking while cornering is required

[noggythenog]

KTM have a system that allows braking while cornering...they call it Motorcycle Stability Control.


I dont think the other manufacturers have it........yet.

[midden]

Means you'll be able to steer while heavily braking so sounds worthwhile to me

No. Physics still apply to bikes with ABS. Do not steer and brake hard at the same time.

I'll remember that then if a rather larger van pulls out on me.  hit the foccer as mustn't steer while brakes are applied even if abs  [size=78%]  [/size]

[noggythenog]

Means you'll be able to steer while heavily braking so sounds worthwhile to me

No. Physics still apply to bikes with ABS. Do not steer and brake hard at the same time.

I'll remember that then if a rather larger van pulls out on me.  hit the foccer as mustn't steer while brakes are applied even if abs  [size=78%]  [/size]

This is why they teach the swerve test...off brakes, weave round, back in.


But i think with abs you can possibly keep the brakes on while doing this.......could do with asking an examiner about it though.....even if possible it might be more effective to come off brakes & swerve as per the test.

[Skippernick]

It will also add value come resale time.

[D4Delta]

ref. Can you still change your own pads and clean and lube the callipers and pistons?

My manual says the ABS has to be reset by a garage.

Never cut in while driving so not sure what it is like.

David.

[Frosties]

£400 well spent in my book fella.


Locked the Tiger front twice over the last 6 months of rain but managed to cadence brake as it was under 35mph ish. Faster than that & I reckon I'd have no chance.


Had other times in London when I was waiting for the lock up.........ABS is piece of mind these days!


It's on my wish list for my next commuter - CBF1000!

[Mattsplat]

My GenII manual says it needs to go to the dealer to flush the ABS system, its what's been putting me off fitting braided hoses.

[ogri48]

one of the reasons i jumped ship from a gen 1 to a gen 2 was i wanted abs. its worth it on any bike imho, the yamaha system is the best ive tried, and waaay bwtter than the honda system on my cb1300. brakes are blimming marvellous just as they should be....you honestly dont know its fitted on the fz1, apart from you cant lock the front no matter how hard you brake in the wet. my last two offs were from locking the front, its so easy done on a bike and its down instantly.as the man says, cant think of 400 quid better spent...

[Fazafou]

Quite pleased at the general positive attitude to ABS here. On other forums people can be really anti with strong views on being able yo brake quicker without it. My feeling is this is only for a select few professional riders and even then if an emergency actually happens, chances are they're not as controlled as test conditions. ABS kicks in before you're even aware of any lock up and you can concentrate on the danger to avoid.

Definitely worth it imo

[midden]

Means you'll be able to steer while heavily braking so sounds worthwhile to me

No. Physics still apply to bikes with ABS. Do not steer and brake hard at the same time.

I'll remember that then if a rather larger van pulls out on me.  hit the foccer as mustn't steer while brakes are applied even if abs  [size=78%]  [/size]

This is why they teach the swerve test...off brakes, weave round, back in.


But i think with abs you can possibly keep the brakes on while doing this........

Precisely the  ABS pulsates the braking to prevent wheels locking taking the need to do so away from the driver. Alot of accidents happen by drivers not understanding the principles of ABS and continue to manually pump the brakes instead of continually pressing on pedal as is mean't until braking is no longer required.  Obviously ABS doesn't work too well in the snow

[locksmith]

Just got back from a visit to the dealer. Apparently normal DIY to the brakes is no different in changing the pads etc. It looks a little more bulky on the wheel with an extra part below the calliper but I guess you'd get used to that and not notice it. So I went for it!!!

[midden]

Cool  does this mean you'll come out to play in some of the rideouts to show it off

[noggythenog]

There'll be no fazers on the fazer rideouts

[midden]

Bit like my fishing trips then. Always a severe lack of fish

[Mattsplat]

Just got back from a visit to the dealer. Apparently normal DIY to the brakes is no different in changing the pads etc. It looks a little more bulky on the wheel with an extra part below the calliper but I guess you'd get used to that and not notice it. So I went for it!!!

What about changing the fluid, did they mention 'cycling' the abs unit?

[locksmith]

Didn't go into detail like that, the most I've done to any new bike I've had is change the pads and clean the calipers and grease the pistons. I'll learn it if I need to in the future!