On a previous bike, ABS was an optional extra. I bought it, but everyone advised me against it, including salesman, lifelong riders, etc. Money was worth it when I didnt notice the line of wet leaves in front of me, while I was lane splitting and needed to brake. Money well spent.
A motorcycle used to be my only means of transportation, so that meant riding 365 days a year in the rain and in the very cold. Sometimes after work I'm just too exhausted and burnt out, and while it's raining someone would pull out in front of me. ABS is for emergencies, and because of that it's saved me from many near-crashes. It's a good thing to have an ABS bike and if you think you don't need it because you're just as skilled as Rossi on the street, then you're doing it wrong...very VERY wrong....
Still is for me. I've never had an ABS bike. In the past when my driving was more aggressive and my skills were on point I really didn't need ABS on emergencies. These days I'm not so sure. Really you need to be barely missing would-be-crippling crashes on a regular basis to get the skills for emergencies. Otherwise you just freeze, stamp the brakes, and drag out a long skid whilst hoping you stay upright. Its been a while since my skills were at that level, and anyone who isn't tested regularly enough to know for absolute certain won't be at that point either (even if they can brake perfectly on the track - its a different skill entirely). If I were to get it I'd rather some of the top systems like Yamaha's rather than the apparently mediocre and intrusive Honda systems, but since I'm not upgrading for a long time to come I'm really just stuck without. Still, good tires and attentive driving can mitigate the need somewhat.
@@olivialambert4124 I've never had ABS either, up until recently it was optional on Sports/Superbike and I never opted for it. I'm an attentive rider, with sufficient skill not to lockup the tires. I'll make them squeal, but I've never locked them up. I think of digital aids as a last resort that I would rather not rely on. I'm the same in my car, I refuse to the rely on the multitudes of driver aids. I feel it just makes you lazy, you forget basic skill and become less attentive which just leads to accidents. Besides this, you can often stop in a shorter distance without ABS activating, than with ABS activating.
@@IsobarBrokenFlame Met plenty of people who think like you in my time working at a hospital Hope you dont one day end up in a situation where you flawless skillset come up short (oil spill or whatever) and some computerassisted ABS might have saved you. Ride safe
@@Surpriseify I hope so too. But like I said, digital aids usually results in over confidence, and a less attentive driver/rider. When I get on my bike, I’m focused on riding. That is the only focus, because I know I am the first and last line of defence. So many people get into their car, or ride their bike while focusing on other things. Or loose the skills they once had due to relying on driver aids. I fly helicopter’s too. I was a very good pilot once upon a time, these days I’m not so sure. Too many pilot aids means I’m not even that good on the controls any more. Every time I get back into a R22 (zero pilot aids) I look like a trainee.
@@IsobarBrokenFlame Well in a world where ABS is like automatic transmissions, in the sense of how common they are, you’re rarely going to find yourself in a situation where you don’t have these safety devices in the first place. For the average person, you’re not doing yourself any favors by opting for a bare bones piece of equipment. I’d argue that 99% of people aren’t able to skillfully brake their way out of a high stress situation. So the saying goes, you’re better be safe than sorry🤷🏻
ABS on motorcycles is mandatory in Europe meanwhile. Any bike sold as new 2017 or later must have it. Greetings from Germany, love to see your technical videos.
ZAMsChannel I wish that were the case here in the Philippines. The streets here are death traps for motorcycles without abs because of how dusty and slippery they can be when wet. Also tends to be alot of loose gravel and dust mounds on every road shoulder here. Couple that with downright retarded people that drive in the streets (approx 84% of filipinos got their drivers license illegally) and it's chaos. The only reason why manufacturers dont bother bringing in units with abs here is to cut down costs since ABS isn't mandatory here. I wanted an ABS variant of my little R3 but they wouldn't give us one. I just recently lowsided a fortnight ago when a drunk moped rider crossed the highway (on a double solid yellow line, mind you) just 10 meters away from me whilst I was doing 45kph. If I had ABS I could have probably stopped safely enough even though the street had some loose gravel. The front just locked up instantly after I panic-braked.
ZAMsChannel - beg to differ. Perhaps the EU regulations require ABS on larger bikes, which would make sense, but I bought a 2017 125cc last year and it did not come with ABS...not available either. EU4 (?) rating, however, is required for all bikes - where the brakes encompass "combined braking" of rear with front when depressing the rear pedal. Good to know, though, that ABS is required for bigger bikes. Cheers, TH
The ABS on my Concours 14 is one of the factors that saved my bacon in a crash back in April. A minivan driver made ab abrupt left turn into me at an intersection, and with ABS, I was able to scrub off enough speed to minimize the impact. I was still injured, but I'm still here to write about it.
5:47 Haha!!! "Zack Courts isn't the only guy that likes to back it in the parking lot". Ari and Zack competition.... Who can back it in the best. TH-cam viewers vote on the winner!!!
The couple times I had to brake so hard that I engaged the ABS on my MT-09, it did save me from falling, crashing etc. Soooo, yes, I do like it! On the other hand I wish I could switch off the ABS on the rear. Just for fun.
I've definitely had a few close calls, but those were in my earlier years...I'm wiser and more paranoid these days, heh. But yeah, if they work well, then I'm all for ABS in bikes
Funny it's standard on the Duke 690's, but I had to buy a $130 dongle for my 701SM (mostly the same bike) to disable my rear ABS. If I want to re-enable it in the rear, I have to yank it out. I'm mad at myself for paying that, but I'm kind of glad I did.
Love it. First bike didn't have it. Second one did. All since have it. It's like fuel injection; I can't go back to carbs. I'm not interested in worrying about locking my front wheel on sand at a stop ever again.
Me too. First bike did not have ABS (Fazer 600), and second does (XSR900). ABS saved me last winter when I fishtailed twice on icy cobble-stones on cold tyres.
Bad illustration. ABS is not like carburetors. Did you pour air and gas into a bowl and stir it with a manual crank beaters, then dump it into the engine while riding down the road? No. Nothing about how the fuel got into the engine was manual before, or now. Brakes are always manual. ABS is subservient to the user, not the other way around. It's always mandatory to learn how to module brake pressures! Do people stomp on brake pedals while driving the car, every time they need to stop? No. They modulate pressure. Panic stop? If panicking is your idea of proper driving or riding, don't.
Brakes are manual, ie. you squeeze a lever and the force of your muscles translates to fluid pressure. Fuel atomization is via machinery (carb or f.i.), you don't do anything. ABS is subservient to manual input, ie. you squeeze the lever with adequate force to begin to stop rotor movement, the speed sensors trigger the ABS module to take over fluid pressures and "pulse" the system.
The thing is that ABS shouldn't be kicking in until the last few inches, if at all, when you're braking properly. The point of ABS is to allow you to get closer to maximum braking potential without locking the wheels up or to compensate for when there's a sudden change in traction that you can't predict. But, if you've got skill, you shouldn't need ABS. And if you really know your bike, you may be able to feel the upcoming lock and intervene. If you do find it kicking in, that means that your skills suck, either your braking skills or your planning strategies, and those are more helpful to address than the lack of ABS. Not to say that ABS isn't worth having or that my next bike won't have it, just that it's easy to turn it into something that it isn't.
Lets put some oil on the ground and see his skills. A computer will always be better than humans. ABS are there because they reduce the number of accidents by a factor of 5. Traction control almost reduce the risk of highsides to zero and a steering damper reduce the risk of a tank slapper to zero. I have skills and a brain.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade key word "shouldn't" but in the real world not everything works out perfectly. There's no argument against ABS besides idiotic ideas of "real motorcycles don't have that"
Watched this video as I am looking to purchase my very first bike. I am intrigued as to what this ABS is on bikes and found your channel. I love how you explained this topic and it made it easier for a new folks like me to learn what it does and how it helps/assist the rider.
I have ABS on my ‘06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050. It was standard so I got it without asking. It’s not too intrusive, 98% of the times it doesn’t t kick in even if you ride hard in the twisties. A couple of times though I have to say it saved me from a 100% sure crash, one time under the rain and one time on an unexpectedly dirty corner. So I have to praise ABS system on my bike. And it’s an early and unrefined system, being 12 years old. I can’t imagine how good could be a modern cornering ABS on a ‘18 sport bike with IMU!!! Don’t you dare to say “I’m a real man I don’t need ABS”, on open road you will find sooner or later a gxxdamned pot or unexpected gravel, and you will thank ABS forever. Ride safe. Peace✌️
As a bumbling novice who rides both a KLR and a Super Tenere (2015), the latter having at least a little sophistication in that applying the front brake also activates the rear brake to a certain extent, and who keeps hearing that you want to turn off the ABS for off road applications, my questions are these (assuming that I could turn the ABS to start with): 1. Should you turn off the entire system or just the rear brake off road? 2. Why should I want to turn off any portion of the system off road to start with? Thanks guys. Appreciate your incredibly valuable presentations much indeed!
Both my wife and I own H-D bikes with ABS and have been in real life situations where it has been used. We were cruising down an asphalt road out in the country, kind of bumpy, about 45mph when a full size doe and her two yearling jump out in broad daylight. My wife was ahead of me and grapped both front and rear brakes, i did the same. I saw the bike squat and slow down and straight as an arrow. They were so effective i was amazed. It's a no brainer, if the bike offers them, get them. If the bike your looking at does not offer ABS brakes, look for a bike that does.
@wescobts what kinda bike were you guys riding?? I'm considering my first cruiser and it's been driving me insane. I really like a few of them Suzuki m109r and Yamaha radier but they don't have ABS. All the sample videos I've seen on front wheel lock ups on TH-cam are sport bikes and always wondered why cruisers don't offer as much ABS options as cruisers. Anyway thanks a ton for any advice in advance!!
@@Lizizoteezo I am riding a 2018 H-D Street Bob, and my wife is riding a 2017 H-D 883 Sporter. They are both really nice bikes. The ABS system works great and the bikes are nimble and handle road situations well. There are plenty of add ons and acessories available for both models.H-D offers ABS on any of there bikes, worth a look. Good luck
Yep, well said. Like TCS this is a safety layer to keep riders safe. But the typical squid macho ego ball sack will say shit like it’s for pussies. As if they’re Rossie riding in motogp or something.
And like riding gear, if ABS is saving your butt too often, you need to work on your skills. I, personally, would not like ABS to intervene when I brake. However, if the front wheel locks up, control can be lost very quickly. But rear wheel lockup is sometimes necessary. In my view, single channel ABS (front wheel only) is ideal or an optional mode to disable it in the rear wheel. Bottom line is that ABS is excellent safety net. It can make the difference between crashing and making a clean escape from a hazard. But one should always assume that it can fail at any time and learn to brake properly. Of course, during panic braking, it is the conditioned reflex that takes over. Not much fine tuning there. But still, practice is essential.
I ride a 100cc and also tour on it. I am planning to upgrade to a 250 or 300 in a few months. However, I haven't ridden an ABS bike yet. My outlook has been that riding a 100cc has not only helped me in knowing how much pressure I am to apply on my brakes but also to read the situation well while I brake.
ABS has saved me on many occasions & the technology is evolving. Though I found it weird initially moving from standard Non-ABS to ABS, I've got used to it now & surely feel a lot safer. Ari, I'm one of your big fans out there & have always watched & learnt Motorcycling technology from you. Thanks for the awesome explanation on ABS.
Abs saved my life many times.. I can say 30 times... I ride a single cylinder 200 cc bike with dual channel abs... Place from I'm from people love to jump in front of bikes even cars and trucks... I think abs is a great invention for bikes... I know people from other countries will laugh thinking that you use abs on a 200cc bike,, but truly saying its a god gifted thing for me.... Thank you MC GARAGE FOR A AWESOME DETAILING ABOUT ABS REALLY LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND THEY ARE VERY EDUCATIONAL.... RIDE HARD AND RIDE SAFE BROTHERS... GOD BLESS
I have had roughly 15 years on two wheels and only recently did I have a chance to ride a bike w/ ABS on a regular basis and I have to say, it is nice to have. When the ABS kicks in, I know that I am getting too close to the limits of my bike. True, there is a little more "safe braking" to be had but unless you're on a track, why would you want to get closer to the edge of traction? Emergency braking doesn't always mean you are going to be on point with managing brake pressure, simply because of adrenaline/panic/survival reactions so having ABS there to save your bacon is ABSOLUTELY a good thing. Great vid, I love seeing notifications that there are new vids on Motorcyclist Magazine's channel.
On my 250cc V-Star with a rear drum brake, the rear would always lock up in the wet. Never locked in the dry, but I was fishtailing in emergency braking in the wet. Fortunately, the close call I did have I was able to maneuver to the side, but after that experience I think ABS is a must if you ever ride in less-than-perfect conditions.
I think there are broadly two types of disc brakes; floating and fixed. In fixed disc brakes the there are pistons on both sides of the disc pressing against it to provide braking force. But in floating disc brake, there piston(s) is only on one side, with the fluid pressure making the brake pad on the other side press against the disc too. Hope this gives a basic understanding!
I ride a KLR650, my buddy rides a CBR650f. Tonight we decided to bike swap. I rode his 650f like I would my KLR, lets just say stop signs come up quick and hard breaking was required. ABS totally helped a ton tonight.
I have an old cruiser and I recently purchased a 2016 versys 1000. I'm an experienced rider and ABS is a life saver, especially for a new rider. The difference between both bikes braking is night and day with of course the versys winning out. Yo Arie, you and Zach need to go to on another trip On Two Wheels. Love the content, put out more of it.
I own an XSR700 and the rear brake easily activate the ABS, which is a pain in the ass. But I am very grateful to this system coz I drive in winter with snow and rain, and at multiple time, it saves my life (especially before I take a corner).
Cold day on a wet road a car unexpectedly pulled out in front of the wife and I. She grabbed the front brake on her non ABS Street Triple and was down in an instant..... broken arm. I stopped with ABS, it does work. Pleased to report she made a full recovery, bought a newer Street with ABS. Don't think either of us would buy a bike without it unless it was an old classic second bike to use occasionally.
I've had several occasion where I almost hit someone who ran a red r light. thanks abs for stopping me quickly. ive seen many people brake hard and fall down immediately. the extra money I spent to install abs definitely saved me the money from having to buy a new bike atleast 2 or 3 times per year.
Great video...busted some myths....One question though...Why are only a few bikes equipped with ABS..... AND Traction control???...expense is an issue obviously...but at the same time advancements, standardisation and economies of scale must counter this
ABS is a proper LIFE SAVER. Has saved me from crashing many times. Even the most experienced riders can get startled and panic brake and lock the wheel.
I've felt ABS kick in a few times on my XSR900, sometimes front and sometimes rear (usually when I twist the throttle a little too much on the preceding straight), and I've always been glad I know its there to save me from myself. I've never felt it was intrusive.
Abs both saved me and impressed me. I was riding pretty fast down a lone road, i was in a bit of a daze and didnt notice a stop sign at an internesetion about 100 feet away. I suddenly slammed on the brakes for fear of getting hit. I went from 80 mph to 0 in about 60 feet. Not only did the abs save me during my panic brake, it kept me from being a cars hood ornament.
Thank you very much, this guy is learning all he can. Because as soon as I'm done with school, I'll be getting my first bike! And I'll definitely need as much information as possible on how/what keeps me safe
What happens if you remove the abs ring on the rear wheel. Can the bike still be used for offroad / dualsport driving. I like when the rear can lock up and skid on the gravel road.
A question for MC Garage to cover. Take a modern 2010+ fuel injected motorcycle. The stock fuel map (or rather the whole setup) is inflexible. What I mean by that is that an ECU flash, a remap using third party gadgets and so on is required to maximize performance (not just horsepower, also throttle pickup, low end grunt, popping on decel, etc). A modern bike has sensors all over for the ECU to decipher into maintaining a good fuel burning efficiency, however it's compromised all over due to regulations. And that's where my question comes from. Why are fuel maps so inflexible? Why can an ECU not maximize performance the way we want it to on it's own? For street bikes we all want good torque and power down low and in the midrange, with a pleasant throttle feel. It always requires mods and finetuning to get the most out of it, yet, a bike usually responds very well to a well set up fuel map. I know the stock map is intentionally -allright- as opposed to -awesome- which is what we want it to be. How come an ECU can't do that on it's own? Is it programming complexity and an inability to guarantee good performance and reliability to ensure it meets regulations? Thank you!
My old Triumph Sprint in its day was a beast and it’s ABS wouldn’t engage unless traction was compromised. You could lift the rear braking hard, only just , and you wouldn’t get the bar shudder symptoms ABS is renowned for every time you dived it in. Yet grab a handful on a wet day whilst riding over some slimey leaves into a corner while pulling up for an intersection and that day it saved my bacon and proved its worth. I was a bit out of sorts but I pulled it up and very thankful as the car that crossed my path had no idea of the predicament I was in. And this was on an 2006 bike. Wonderful technology.
ABS Is like all other electronic safety wizardry. Like traction control, like anti wheelie, like motor slip regulation. You don't like to admit it's a good thing, but being honest, it let's us take it to the next level. We can push that little harder, and, with KTM's contribution towards electronic wazardry, you don't even know its helping you do it. It is a good thing. Let's let it evolve. I'm just waiting for height controllable wheelie control 😁
Nick Bennett that’s exactly my wish. Didn’t buy an S1000R naked BMW yet, just because the wheelie control is either on (and intrusive, in most of the riding modes) or just completely off in the pro mode or whatever they call the “all nannies off” mode. I wish to have just a “supercool but safe wheelie” mode, and I’ll be happy!!!
My Africa Twin’s ABS saved me once, brakes hard enough to pick the rear wheel off the ground. Once the rear wheel picked up, I felt the abs click on twice and the bike returned back to both wheels on the ground.
On a Vulcan 900, also my first bike. First time I rode was msf on a nighthawk. No abs so I rely heavily on engine braking as well as my pads. Rear first then front is what I was taught. I also practice emergency braking. Idk about abs but, I feel like i could use it every now and again when I'm out and about town. Not on the highway as I leave too much room ahead of me so I can slowly stop. I guess in town would make life easier but, not necessary for me. Imo, of course
I was just in a crash, no abs on my k5 gixxer. The bike skid though I braked in time. Hence to Aris point abs would’ve been a saving grace to avoid the skid as I had to brake on downhill and didn’t know the road ahead was ending
I had a Sinnis 125cc and I locked the back wheel loads of times and came off. Got a 500c Honda with abs and not had a single issue with locking or braking 👌
I have no doubt it saved me from crashing when a car pulled out in front of me. After the near hit I realized that your instinct just kicks in WAY before you can make any concise decision. Before I fully realized it I had applied a lot of breaking pressure and I felt the ABS doing it's job. I simply do not believe you can override your natural instinct to self preservation. Only in hind sight you realize your body simply reacted to a dangerous situation. I've had similar experience when a deer suddenly crosses the road. you just react, you don't think about it. ABS IS a life safer and is designed for emergency breaking.
Very nice and simple video explaining the basics and need for ABS on street. I ride 373cc single cylinder motorcycle in India and the dual channel ABS saves me from crash almost on a daily basis. Thank you for this video. I'm going to share it a lot!
I spent 6 weeks in India, done the golden triangle etc... And spent some time in Pune. All I can say is that you're a braver man than I! I saw so many motorcycle adcidents. ( from the UK BTW, just to give some context )
@@nickam4100 Its actually Dominar 400, Indian version of Duke 390. (Dominar is product of Indian Manufacturer Bajaj, a partner of KTM) So basically it uses same engine block as the 390, but overall heavier motorcycle. But yes, the 2017 D390 is much refined and improved than the older models.
I would love to have ABS on my bike, and TC for that matter. When I eventually get together the money for a new bike, it will have both of those. What would really be helpful is one of those skid bike contraptions so I could get a feel for wet cornering. I lost confidence when I had Roadsmart 2s on and it's hard to get it back when I'm worried about binning the bike again.
Make a video on upgrading brakes please. I want to know about oversized rotors, alternative calipers and brake master cylinder differences in performance and advantages
Very illuminating video...well explained....how does Traction control stack up against ABS...interested because my scooter without either almost jack.knifed the other day when I hit a stretch of gravel and I had to fight to retain it and myself from smashing into a concrete dividing wall...ABS would surely have helped smooth that out if I braked...as I had notime to break....but maybe traction control may have stopped the sudden slew of the front wheel??
The new Honda PCX 150 in Indonesia, equipped with front disc AND rear disc brakes. BUT, they equipped the ABS only on the front. So, it’s kinda exciting when you hard/panic braking on 70kmph, the rear tyre went slip and squeaking (?) but the front just went in straight line. I don’t know if that has something to do with the rear disc are thicker than the front..
My previous bike, a Honda CB500X the ABS was awful, it interfered well before the wheels were actually locking and actively increased braking distances due to it's behaviour. I ran with the fuse pulled after I learned how to brake "properly". However since upgrading to a bike with a lean sensitive ABS system I leave the system enabled with the rear channel turned off so I can still back it in. The premium IMU based systems on the premium bikes are excellent, the simple dumb two-channel systems are an impediment to riding fast but are a safety enhancement in traffic situations. A good system also gives you an idea of where that tyre's limit is just before you reach it, teaching you with that lever and pedal feedback that you're approaching the limit, unlike a traditional braking system which relies on you feeling the rear slide under the seat or the front tucking through the bars to tell you where the limit is. And you're right MM93 is a magician.
Most roads here in Istanbul has almost no traction, so if you give full beans fully up right the traction control cuts the fuel off straight away. I happened to have a non abs bike before and it was a nightmare. 7 out of 10 times I’d be locking the front wheel and use my fingers as abs which wasnt as efficient and safe. It’s definitely a must here and i cannot imagine riding one without. Do you have roads like that in the US? How do you know if some tarmac has good traction and others don’t? Maybe another video? :-)
Just got back on a bike this year, and first item on the must have on the bike was ABS. On an early commute home traffic pulled onto the off ramp, riding brakes in front of me then suddenly everyone nose dived. I swerved over the rumble strips, onto the shoulder with the ABS system doing its job under heavy braking because the guy behind me wasn't slowing down as much as I would have liked (I would not have fit in the space left when he finally stopped). I could have gotten a bike sooner (and cheaper) if ABS had not been a requirement for me, but I could also have been a hood ornament. A coworker of mine watch one of her riding group drop his bake and end up in the hospital after a similar situation without ABS. Her husband had insisted she get a new bike with ABS, she had no issues stopping with control. After those two events I'll never not have ABS on a bike. (unless I find a '79 CBX I can afford)
My friend and I were practicing emergency braking. My bike (2015 vstrom 650) has ABS and my friends bike (2008 shadow 750) doesn't. Huge difference in control and stopping power/distance between the two with ABS the clear winner.
Part of that difference has to do with the bike design, too. Your V-Strom is going to load the front tire more and decelerate faster. It's also likely got softer tires, even if they're a dual-sport design. The Shadow likely weighs more, loads the front less, and has significantly harder (and thus less grippy) tires. It's all part of the design brief of a cruise.
I've done a few unofficial panic stop tests with abs on and off. On dry pavement only. I could stop faster with it turned off on my XTZ1200. However it takes alot of attention where as with abs on. I can just hit them hard and don't worry about a skid. I turned it off accidentally the other day. I was easing thru a parking lot and a lady backed out right in front of me. Slammed on my brakes and skidded the rear tire and stopped about 2 feet from her back fender. I never turn it off unless I'm offroad.
Well, I have a 2018 Fatbob 114 with ABS and I also have an older 2003 CBR600. I find that ABS is great, it has saved my a$$ more than a few times from other drivers on the road not paying attention. Even though the Harley outweighs the CBR by a lot I feel more confident with the handling and braking system in everyday traffic on the Fatbob now...
ABS has DEFINITELY saved my ass a few times and every time it was a wake up call, for which I am always thankful. At over 40 yo the fewer crashes the better.
MOST of us "Like what we are used to"... and for old buzzards like me, that means NO ABS... Emotionally speaking... But my last Bike Purchase also needed to be 'affordable' or it wasn't going to happen at all...so I threw down a DEEPLY Discounted hand full of Dollars on an FZ1. ABS was 'available' on the then new 2013 for about $1,000 'extra' and at full Retail price...Somewhere above $12,000. BUT they didn't have any in stock... And the 'left-over' 2012 model that I took home cost me about $8500 Ride-Out! With just 4 miles on the odometer, and no ABS. With 40 years of riding without ABS, I am still quite 'comfortable' just as it is. BUT I have had my share of times when I now WISH I had ABS, and I am pretty certain that my NEXT Bike will have it! My first experiences with ABS -- 'test riding' friends' bikes -- I was not comfortable with the examples I rode! But I DO realize how much it can HELP...Especially in those PANIC Stops that some .. Most of us will still GRAB the brake lever... I still do Track Days with my non-abs 'nekked bike' ... and play Chase with a few WERA Racing Friends of mine up in the Blue Ridge Mountains... even at 66 years 'young' !! But more and more, I 'wish' I had ABS...but also glad I was able to Pay Off the bike at that purchase price, rather than to still be paying 5 years later...
ABS saved my butt when some stupid van driver decided to turn left ahead of me. And of course, as is always the case with such special snowflakes of a driver - he didn't bother to use a turn signal. Or to maintain his vehicle so the brake light would work. It didn't help that the road was wet from the rain that has just passed either. After that I went from "ABS is nice, but not really that important" to "just get ABS if you can".
I'm currently walking with a stick because somebody turned across me last week. I was lucky to not have anything broken as I slammed full on into his side. I'm definitely considering ABS as a future option when I buy a newer bike.
Definitely, but if you didn't lowside your bike then ABS wouldn't help much in this situation... I'm also recovering from a crash - but this one was on racetrack and it was mostly my fault. ;) Anyway - get well and ride safe!
@@motoholota somebody turn across my side of the road and I couldn't stop before going into the side of them and then he drove away from the scene without knowing if I was alive or anything. If I'd been on a bike with better brakes I'd have stopped or at least reduced it to a bump rather than ripping the tank off my bike with my groin and la ding on my head on the other side of the car.
Always very interesting and enjoyable to watch your videos Ari. ABS is definitely a boon on our very dangerous Indian roads. A point worth putting across to your viewers is the inherent tendency for the lever to sometimes continue to pulse, even when traction has been regained, thereby reducing the braking force to the wheel which coherently increases braking distance. Don't know if I have been able to bring this across clearly.
Good to see so many riders on here praising ABS, everyone can say they are an amazing rider as much as they want. But put yourself in the situation riding home after work in the rain, on less than perfect roads and a car pulling out on you. You will thank yourself that you've bought a bike with ABS.
I think that the ABS on my Fireblade saved my bacon recently, mostly because I felt confident about squeezing the brakes as hard as I could. A big boat of a car turned into a driveway after having squeezed through a stopped lane of traffic, thus completely blocking the road about 30-40 feet in front of me while I was probably going about 40 mph. I stopped about 6" from the door, and the driver and the passengers were just staring with their mouths open (he had stopped the car when he saw me... of course). I know I heard the rear ABS kick in, but I think I heard the front wheel slide and re-grip too.
Absolutely useful and good thing, but there are different approaches for abs systems and some versions on the past had reliability problems as example bmw servo abs quite expensive to maintain if it brakes down. The only negative thing that comes to my mind is not abs itself but mentality of some riders who think there is no need in practicing emergency braking because they have advanced abs system.
I've been riding 3 years now without ABS, but I would not mind having it as long as I could also turn it off. I like sliding the tail once in a while if the road is slippery or I'm just having fun coming up to a stop light. But I do like the fact that all new bikes (from 2017+ I think) sold in Europe must be fitted with ABS as standard. People here take this stuff seriously, which combined with the proper license requirements really make motorcycling in general a lot safer (and also more fun).
I think you nailed where the negativity for ABS came from and there was a lot of truth about what said in late 1980s (BMW). Most major brands have ABS sorted out now where it is a must have and I guess from 2018 and on it is a will have. Not having ABS has not kept me from buying a bike but if everything is equal it is a tie breaker for me. Like ABS in the beginning I am not so sure about the other electronic nannies. I will say traction control on the high horsepower bikes can certainly be useful. I do worry that some riders will be overly dependent on those nannies and neglect their riding skills. I already see it on the road with heavy throttle and braking way too much.
Future video question. I’m still fairly new to riding. I have figured out that leaning forward on my FJ 09 gives me better handling in corners. My question for you is how much does it matter if my weight is on the seat or the foot pegs? Do I gain performance by keeping my weight on the pegs and down low?
Generally speaking for aggressive riding you'll want your bodyweight on your footpegs. What you've discovered with your body positioning on your FZ is how weight distribution affects chassis geometry (fork angle and rear squat) and how that in turn affects handling.
Had abs on an FJR1300, didn't care for it that much. Seemed very conservative and crude. My 16 FZ09 doesn't have it, and I can skid to a stop at will. Probably not as safe, but it's much more fun!
I like ABS on my XSR900, it has activated a few times on the front when I hit some gravel that blended in with road surface. Not sure if it saved me from anything or not, I think I could have released brake pressure in time to regain traction just fine, but not as fast as the abs did.
Do you guys back it in via locking the rear and then giving a healthy amount of throttle while coming off the rear brake? I want to learn how to do this.
This video is 4 years old, both of my 15 year old 50cc scooters have aftermarket mechanical abs systems on the front wheels, they're super cheap setups, but I can confirm that they work, so yes. There WERE super affordable aftermarket abs systems for motorbikes as of thos videos publishing, but I don't know that I would trust them on a full size bike
I went from a non-abs bike (Yamaha R1 99) to a more backfriendly Z800 with ABS. - And ABS is just a musthave now! Also went from carbs to fuel-injektion, all this new tech and i cant go back.
ABS has saved my arse a few times but also endangered me ( 2012 f650gs) it's great when going fast and emergency braking. But slower speeds I tend to find it causes more problems, like filtering speed my abs has triggered whilst trying to stop on white lines where a skid would of stopped me faster but the abs caused me to nearly crash into a car that had pulled into the middle unexpectedly. Also it's bloody annoying how it turns itself back on everytime I restart brake . Had so many near misses off road because I wasn't able to lock up the rear.
I have a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R and ABS wasn't an option so I make due with my two finger pressure modulation. But I have tried many ABS braking systems on old and new bikes from all Harley's to Yamaha R1Ms and they all feel spongy or lack feed back that I crave as a rider. I've also come across a few bikes that have no feed back and then the brakes bite in without a feeling change of pressure. I love the feed back of my non-ABS bike and the firm feel that it provides all the way through the lever pull/squeeze. Do you think it will every get to a point where an ABS system will feel like a standard braking system much like hydraulic steering has changed to electric in almost all cars? I also changed my rims out to BST carbon fiber which has reduced my rotating mass dramatically where I can stop, change direction and accelerate much quicker then ever before but the back end likes to kick up now under strong braking. Thanks for your videos they stay simple and to the point and I appreciate that for sure. Keep doing what your doing!
Thank you so much for finally talking about this. Can you do an advanced one to compare systems from continental and bosch? Also, can you highlight which bikes actually have cornerning abs? Companies try to obscure which bikes have it (i.e. speed triple vs speed triple rs). Also companies are loose with terminology and often refer to advanced abs as "having an IMU" but I think that's not the case -- Honda's new cb300r has an IMU but i don't believe it has cornering abs and other advanced things. So much information! You'd do the community a huge service by explaining it further. Thanks!
Definitely want ABS on my next bike. I commute on my bike every day, and I've locked the front enough times in emergencies that it's only sheer luck that I haven't gone down already. I bought the bike secondhand, but definitely would have optioned ABS if I'd had the choice. The extra cost would have paid itself back in underpants replacement by now.
Got an 2015 concours 14 and can't find much about the abs.even in the owners manual.Only seems to have on or off abs.Does it have that inertia sensor ? And the linked braking is a bit grabby then the abs kicks in. the brakes are really good though.
I found the ABS system on my 2016 KTM Superduke far too intrusive so I bought the race dongle to turn it off and also the traction control system too, happy days!
100% agree. It doesn't matter how good you think you are, nobody can determine the traction on every inch of surface, all the time, everywhere. If your tires are warm, you know the road and are 100% concentrating - you can still hit a patch of "invisible" oil. You can't react - but the ABS can as it monitors the wheels 100% of the time in milliseconds. Thinking you're better/faster than a modern ABS computer is, to be honest, arrogant. Now, off-road / special surface - sure.
I had ABS on my 13 deluxe then when I bought my 17 streetglide it didn’t have ABS. ABS is only on the streetglide special to my knowledge. But the first time I had it on the highway in traffic some assbag changed lanes on me. Locked it up but I held it straight. Took some getting used to but I don’t notice not having ABS now. However I’m extra careful in slick conditions. Harley had some odd option combinations in the past where ABS was part of the security package and whatnot.
On a previous bike, ABS was an optional extra. I bought it, but everyone advised me against it, including salesman, lifelong riders, etc. Money was worth it when I didnt notice the line of wet leaves in front of me, while I was lane splitting and needed to brake. Money well spent.
they definitely haven't seen people panic braking end up sliding under a truck and become a jello
Absolutely
A motorcycle used to be my only means of transportation, so that meant riding 365 days a year in the rain and in the very cold. Sometimes after work I'm just too exhausted and burnt out, and while it's raining someone would pull out in front of me. ABS is for emergencies, and because of that it's saved me from many near-crashes. It's a good thing to have an ABS bike and if you think you don't need it because you're just as skilled as Rossi on the street, then you're doing it wrong...very VERY wrong....
Still is for me. I've never had an ABS bike. In the past when my driving was more aggressive and my skills were on point I really didn't need ABS on emergencies. These days I'm not so sure. Really you need to be barely missing would-be-crippling crashes on a regular basis to get the skills for emergencies. Otherwise you just freeze, stamp the brakes, and drag out a long skid whilst hoping you stay upright. Its been a while since my skills were at that level, and anyone who isn't tested regularly enough to know for absolute certain won't be at that point either (even if they can brake perfectly on the track - its a different skill entirely). If I were to get it I'd rather some of the top systems like Yamaha's rather than the apparently mediocre and intrusive Honda systems, but since I'm not upgrading for a long time to come I'm really just stuck without. Still, good tires and attentive driving can mitigate the need somewhat.
@@olivialambert4124 I've never had ABS either, up until recently it was optional on Sports/Superbike and I never opted for it. I'm an attentive rider, with sufficient skill not to lockup the tires. I'll make them squeal, but I've never locked them up.
I think of digital aids as a last resort that I would rather not rely on. I'm the same in my car, I refuse to the rely on the multitudes of driver aids. I feel it just makes you lazy, you forget basic skill and become less attentive which just leads to accidents.
Besides this, you can often stop in a shorter distance without ABS activating, than with ABS activating.
@@IsobarBrokenFlame Met plenty of people who think like you in my time working at a hospital
Hope you dont one day end up in a situation where you flawless skillset come up short (oil spill or whatever) and some computerassisted ABS might have saved you.
Ride safe
@@Surpriseify I hope so too. But like I said, digital aids usually results in over confidence, and a less attentive driver/rider.
When I get on my bike, I’m focused on riding. That is the only focus, because I know I am the first and last line of defence.
So many people get into their car, or ride their bike while focusing on other things. Or loose the skills they once had due to relying on driver aids.
I fly helicopter’s too. I was a very good pilot once upon a time, these days I’m not so sure. Too many pilot aids means I’m not even that good on the controls any more. Every time I get back into a R22 (zero pilot aids) I look like a trainee.
@@IsobarBrokenFlame Well in a world where ABS is like automatic transmissions, in the sense of how common they are, you’re rarely going to find yourself in a situation where you don’t have these safety devices in the first place. For the average person, you’re not doing yourself any favors by opting for a bare bones piece of equipment. I’d argue that 99% of people aren’t able to skillfully brake their way out of a high stress situation. So the saying goes, you’re better be safe than sorry🤷🏻
ABS on motorcycles is mandatory in Europe meanwhile. Any bike sold as new 2017 or later must have it.
Greetings from Germany, love to see your technical videos.
ZAMsChannel I wish that were the case here in the Philippines. The streets here are death traps for motorcycles without abs because of how dusty and slippery they can be when wet. Also tends to be alot of loose gravel and dust mounds on every road shoulder here. Couple that with downright retarded people that drive in the streets (approx 84% of filipinos got their drivers license illegally) and it's chaos.
The only reason why manufacturers dont bother bringing in units with abs here is to cut down costs since ABS isn't mandatory here. I wanted an ABS variant of my little R3 but they wouldn't give us one. I just recently lowsided a fortnight ago when a drunk moped rider crossed the highway (on a double solid yellow line, mind you) just 10 meters away from me whilst I was doing 45kph.
If I had ABS I could have probably stopped safely enough even though the street had some loose gravel. The front just locked up instantly after I panic-braked.
ZAMsChannel - beg to differ. Perhaps the EU regulations require ABS on larger bikes, which would make sense, but I bought a 2017 125cc last year and it did not come with ABS...not available either. EU4 (?) rating, however, is required for all bikes - where the brakes encompass "combined braking" of rear with front when depressing the rear pedal. Good to know, though, that ABS is required for bigger bikes. Cheers, TH
@@Thomas-458 Correct, ABS is required on all motorcycles above 125 cc. 125 cc bikes need to have combined braking, though
not for enduro bikes :-D there are some exceptions
@@0x42NaN all road legal bikes as far as I know
The ABS on my Concours 14 is one of the factors that saved my bacon in a crash back in April. A minivan driver made ab abrupt left turn into me at an intersection, and with ABS, I was able to scrub off enough speed to minimize the impact. I was still injured, but I'm still here to write about it.
Got abs for the first time on my current bike, will never get another bike without abs, it's a must for safety.
5:47 Haha!!! "Zack Courts isn't the only guy that likes to back it in the parking lot".
Ari and Zack competition....
Who can back it in the best.
TH-cam viewers vote on the winner!!!
As a youtube viewer, I would love to see them both trying it.
Ofcourse we get to watch from a curb somewhere and just enjoy xD
Also, dont forget to mention. Who can mimic the best sounds with their mouths when theyre backing it in! chu-chu-chu-chu-chu-chu-chu!
YES
MC garage...the way videos should be made.
The couple times I had to brake so hard that I engaged the ABS on my MT-09, it did save me from falling, crashing etc. Soooo, yes, I do like it!
On the other hand I wish I could switch off the ABS on the rear. Just for fun.
I've definitely had a few close calls, but those were in my earlier years...I'm wiser and more paranoid these days, heh. But yeah, if they work well, then I'm all for ABS in bikes
Most (690 and bigger) KTMs have that possibility to to disable rear abs. They call it Supermoto mode.
Funny it's standard on the Duke 690's, but I had to buy a $130 dongle for my 701SM (mostly the same bike) to disable my rear ABS. If I want to re-enable it in the rear, I have to yank it out. I'm mad at myself for paying that, but I'm kind of glad I did.
Quintan Neville That is funny. It's much easier to activate with my -13 690 Duke R..
I also own an MT-09, and what I do to turn off the rear ABS is to pull out the rear ABS pump fuse 😁
Love it. First bike didn't have it. Second one did. All since have it. It's like fuel injection; I can't go back to carbs. I'm not interested in worrying about locking my front wheel on sand at a stop ever again.
Me too. First bike did not have ABS (Fazer 600), and second does (XSR900).
ABS saved me last winter when I fishtailed twice on icy cobble-stones on cold tyres.
i'm somewhere in between definitely my next bike will have abs.
p.s. what were you doing on your bike in the winter on cobble stones!? o_O
Bad illustration. ABS is not like carburetors.
Did you pour air and gas into a bowl and stir it with a manual crank beaters, then dump it into the engine while riding down the road? No. Nothing about how the fuel got into the engine was manual before, or now. Brakes are always manual. ABS is subservient to the user, not the other way around. It's always mandatory to learn how to module brake pressures! Do people stomp on brake pedals while driving the car, every time they need to stop? No. They modulate pressure.
Panic stop? If panicking is your idea of proper driving or riding, don't.
@@exothermal.sprocket it's just a example not a comparison
Brakes are manual, ie. you squeeze a lever and the force of your muscles translates to fluid pressure.
Fuel atomization is via machinery (carb or f.i.), you don't do anything.
ABS is subservient to manual input, ie. you squeeze the lever with adequate force to begin to stop rotor movement, the speed sensors trigger the ABS module to take over fluid pressures and "pulse" the system.
"I dont need ABS, I got skill" - Ari Henning 2017 🤣
The thing is that ABS shouldn't be kicking in until the last few inches, if at all, when you're braking properly. The point of ABS is to allow you to get closer to maximum braking potential without locking the wheels up or to compensate for when there's a sudden change in traction that you can't predict.
But, if you've got skill, you shouldn't need ABS. And if you really know your bike, you may be able to feel the upcoming lock and intervene.
If you do find it kicking in, that means that your skills suck, either your braking skills or your planning strategies, and those are more helpful to address than the lack of ABS.
Not to say that ABS isn't worth having or that my next bike won't have it, just that it's easy to turn it into something that it isn't.
Lets put some oil on the ground and see his skills. A computer will always be better than humans. ABS are there because they reduce the number of accidents by a factor of 5. Traction control almost reduce the risk of highsides to zero and a steering damper reduce the risk of a tank slapper to zero. I have skills and a brain.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade key word "shouldn't" but in the real world not everything works out perfectly. There's no argument against ABS besides idiotic ideas of "real motorcycles don't have that"
"I don't need to reply to hate nerds, I'm awesome" -Ari Henning(Not)
@@SmallSpoonBrigade so by your logic if you got skill you don't need helmet , crash protection like safety gear gloves etc; right?
Watched this video as I am looking to purchase my very first bike. I am intrigued as to what this ABS is on bikes and found your channel. I love how you explained this topic and it made it easier for a new folks like me to learn what it does and how it helps/assist the rider.
I have ABS on my ‘06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050. It was standard so I got it without asking. It’s not too intrusive, 98% of the times it doesn’t t kick in even if you ride hard in the twisties. A couple of times though I have to say it saved me from a 100% sure crash, one time under the rain and one time on an unexpectedly dirty corner. So I have to praise ABS system on my bike. And it’s an early and unrefined system, being 12 years old. I can’t imagine how good could be a modern cornering ABS on a ‘18 sport bike with IMU!!! Don’t you dare to say “I’m a real man I don’t need ABS”, on open road you will find sooner or later a gxxdamned pot or unexpected gravel, and you will thank ABS forever. Ride safe. Peace✌️
I'm a real man, I don't need ABS.
As a bumbling novice who rides both a KLR and a Super Tenere (2015), the latter having at least a little sophistication in that applying the front brake also activates the rear brake to a certain extent, and who keeps hearing that you want to turn off the ABS for off road applications, my questions are these (assuming that I could turn the ABS to start with): 1. Should you turn off the entire system or just the rear brake off road? 2. Why should I want to turn off any portion of the system off road to start with?
Thanks guys. Appreciate your incredibly valuable presentations much indeed!
Both my wife and I own H-D bikes with ABS and have been in real life situations where it has been used. We were cruising down an asphalt road out in the country, kind of bumpy, about 45mph when a full size doe and her two yearling jump out in broad daylight. My wife was ahead of me and grapped both front and rear brakes, i did the same. I saw the bike squat and slow down and straight as an arrow. They were so effective i was amazed. It's a no brainer, if the bike offers them, get them. If the bike your looking at does not offer ABS brakes, look for a bike that does.
@wescobts what kinda bike were you guys riding?? I'm considering my first cruiser and it's been driving me insane. I really like a few of them Suzuki m109r and Yamaha radier but they don't have ABS. All the sample videos I've seen on front wheel lock ups on TH-cam are sport bikes and always wondered why cruisers don't offer as much ABS options as cruisers. Anyway thanks a ton for any advice in advance!!
@@Lizizoteezo
I am riding a 2018 H-D Street Bob, and my wife is riding a 2017 H-D 883 Sporter. They are both really nice bikes. The ABS system works great and the bikes are nimble and handle road situations well. There are plenty of add ons and acessories available for both models.H-D offers ABS on any of there bikes, worth a look. Good luck
I like to think of abs as motorcycle gear. One more layer of gear, kinda like a helmet or jacket. 🏍🏍🏍
Well said
Yep, well said. Like TCS this is a safety layer to keep riders safe. But the typical squid macho ego ball sack will say shit like it’s for pussies. As if they’re Rossie riding in motogp or something.
I tried ABS, didn't fit on my head
ok, so let Darwin take them home :) i dont care
And like riding gear, if ABS is saving your butt too often, you need to work on your skills. I, personally, would not like ABS to intervene when I brake. However, if the front wheel locks up, control can be lost very quickly. But rear wheel lockup is sometimes necessary. In my view, single channel ABS (front wheel only) is ideal or an optional mode to disable it in the rear wheel.
Bottom line is that ABS is excellent safety net. It can make the difference between crashing and making a clean escape from a hazard. But one should always assume that it can fail at any time and learn to brake properly. Of course, during panic braking, it is the conditioned reflex that takes over. Not much fine tuning there. But still, practice is essential.
I ride a 100cc and also tour on it. I am planning to upgrade to a 250 or 300 in a few months. However, I haven't ridden an ABS bike yet. My outlook has been that riding a 100cc has not only helped me in knowing how much pressure I am to apply on my brakes but also to read the situation well while I brake.
ABS has saved me on many occasions & the technology is evolving. Though I found it weird initially moving from standard Non-ABS to ABS, I've got used to it now & surely feel a lot safer. Ari, I'm one of your big fans out there & have always watched & learnt Motorcycling technology from you. Thanks for the awesome explanation on ABS.
Abs saved my life many times.. I can say 30 times...
I ride a single cylinder 200 cc bike with dual channel abs...
Place from I'm from people love to jump in front of bikes even cars and trucks...
I think abs is a great invention for bikes...
I know people from other countries will laugh thinking that you use abs on a 200cc bike,, but truly saying its a god gifted thing for me....
Thank you MC GARAGE FOR A AWESOME DETAILING ABOUT ABS REALLY LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND THEY ARE VERY EDUCATIONAL....
RIDE HARD AND RIDE SAFE BROTHERS... GOD BLESS
I have had roughly 15 years on two wheels and only recently did I have a chance to ride a bike w/ ABS on a regular basis and I have to say, it is nice to have. When the ABS kicks in, I know that I am getting too close to the limits of my bike. True, there is a little more "safe braking" to be had but unless you're on a track, why would you want to get closer to the edge of traction? Emergency braking doesn't always mean you are going to be on point with managing brake pressure, simply because of adrenaline/panic/survival reactions so having ABS there to save your bacon is ABSOLUTELY a good thing. Great vid, I love seeing notifications that there are new vids on Motorcyclist Magazine's channel.
On my 250cc V-Star with a rear drum brake, the rear would always lock up in the wet. Never locked in the dry, but I was fishtailing in emergency braking in the wet. Fortunately, the close call I did have I was able to maneuver to the side, but after that experience I think ABS is a must if you ever ride in less-than-perfect conditions.
This I feel will clear up a lot of confusion for those that don’t fully understand abs. Another quality video as usual.
Hey Ari what is a floating disc, semi floating disc And a normal disc brake? Please answer!! Please!!! 😕
Agreed ! I know what the different types look like But I want to know the benefits and disadvantages !
And a video explaining the maintenance to the floating disc.
Heat dissipation
Floating discs are able to wobble freely around the bolts.They allow the pads to grip the discs evenly and are really helpful in the track.
I think there are broadly two types of disc brakes; floating and fixed.
In fixed disc brakes the there are pistons on both sides of the disc pressing against it to provide braking force.
But in floating disc brake, there piston(s) is only on one side, with the fluid pressure making the brake pad on the other side press against the disc too.
Hope this gives a basic understanding!
I ride a KLR650, my buddy rides a CBR650f. Tonight we decided to bike swap. I rode his 650f like I would my KLR, lets just say stop signs come up quick and hard breaking was required. ABS totally helped a ton tonight.
I have an old cruiser and I recently purchased a 2016 versys 1000. I'm an experienced rider and ABS is a life saver, especially for a new rider. The difference between both bikes braking is night and day with of course the versys winning out.
Yo Arie, you and Zach need to go to on another trip On Two Wheels. Love the content, put out more of it.
I own an XSR700 and the rear brake easily activate the ABS, which is a pain in the ass. But I am very grateful to this system coz I drive in winter with snow and rain, and at multiple time, it saves my life (especially before I take a corner).
Cold day on a wet road a car unexpectedly pulled out in front of the wife and I. She grabbed the front brake on her non ABS Street Triple and was down in an instant..... broken arm. I stopped with ABS, it does work. Pleased to report she made a full recovery, bought a newer Street with ABS. Don't think either of us would buy a bike without it unless it was an old classic second bike to use occasionally.
I've had several occasion where I almost hit someone who ran a red r
light. thanks abs for stopping me quickly. ive seen many people brake hard and fall down immediately. the extra money I spent to install abs definitely saved me the money from having to buy a new bike atleast 2 or 3 times per year.
Please make these videos more often they are my favorite videos to watch on TH-cam
Great video...busted some myths....One question though...Why are only a few bikes equipped with ABS..... AND Traction control???...expense is an issue obviously...but at the same time advancements, standardisation and economies of scale must counter this
ABS is a proper LIFE SAVER. Has saved me from crashing many times. Even the most experienced riders can get startled and panic brake and lock the wheel.
I've felt ABS kick in a few times on my XSR900, sometimes front and sometimes rear (usually when I twist the throttle a little too much on the preceding straight), and I've always been glad I know its there to save me from myself. I've never felt it was intrusive.
Abs both saved me and impressed me. I was riding pretty fast down a lone road, i was in a bit of a daze and didnt notice a stop sign at an internesetion about 100 feet away. I suddenly slammed on the brakes for fear of getting hit. I went from 80 mph to 0 in about 60 feet. Not only did the abs save me during my panic brake, it kept me from being a cars hood ornament.
Ari Henning. You are a truly great host/presenter. Good luck at Motor Trend.
Thank you very much, this guy is learning all he can. Because as soon as I'm done with school, I'll be getting my first bike! And I'll definitely need as much information as possible on how/what keeps me safe
Glad to hear you're soaking up the info before getting your bike. That'll serve you well.
What happens if you remove the abs ring on the rear wheel. Can the bike still be used for offroad / dualsport driving. I like when the rear can lock up and skid on the gravel road.
A question for MC Garage to cover. Take a modern 2010+ fuel injected motorcycle. The stock fuel map (or rather the whole setup) is inflexible. What I mean by that is that an ECU flash, a remap using third party gadgets and so on is required to maximize performance (not just horsepower, also throttle pickup, low end grunt, popping on decel, etc). A modern bike has sensors all over for the ECU to decipher into maintaining a good fuel burning efficiency, however it's compromised all over due to regulations. And that's where my question comes from.
Why are fuel maps so inflexible? Why can an ECU not maximize performance the way we want it to on it's own? For street bikes we all want good torque and power down low and in the midrange, with a pleasant throttle feel. It always requires mods and finetuning to get the most out of it, yet, a bike usually responds very well to a well set up fuel map. I know the stock map is intentionally -allright- as opposed to -awesome- which is what we want it to be. How come an ECU can't do that on it's own? Is it programming complexity and an inability to guarantee good performance and reliability to ensure it meets regulations?
Thank you!
My Honda VFR800 2004 has perfectly working abs and also combined braking system. Amazing stuff.
My old Triumph Sprint in its day was a beast and it’s ABS wouldn’t engage unless traction was compromised. You could lift the rear braking hard, only just , and you wouldn’t get the bar shudder symptoms ABS is renowned for every time you dived it in. Yet grab a handful on a wet day whilst riding over some slimey leaves into a corner while pulling up for an intersection and that day it saved my bacon and proved its worth. I was a bit out of sorts but I pulled it up and very thankful as the car that crossed my path had no idea of the predicament I was in. And this was on an 2006 bike. Wonderful technology.
ABS Is like all other electronic safety wizardry. Like traction control, like anti wheelie, like motor slip regulation. You don't like to admit it's a good thing, but being honest, it let's us take it to the next level. We can push that little harder, and, with KTM's contribution towards electronic wazardry, you don't even know its helping you do it. It is a good thing. Let's let it evolve.
I'm just waiting for height controllable wheelie control 😁
Nick Bennett that’s exactly my wish. Didn’t buy an S1000R naked BMW yet, just because the wheelie control is either on (and intrusive, in most of the riding modes) or just completely off in the pro mode or whatever they call the “all nannies off” mode. I wish to have just a “supercool but safe wheelie” mode, and I’ll be happy!!!
the length of this vid is perfect, thumbs up for that. please keep it like that. the FAQs at the end also really help a lot
i've got 690 smc-r 2015 and gotta say ABS is a must, they've saved me two times on this season already
3:30 I've actually seen some retrofit kits from $300 and up but they require a lot of rework.
My Africa Twin’s ABS saved me once, brakes hard enough to pick the rear wheel off the ground. Once the rear wheel picked up, I felt the abs click on twice and the bike returned back to both wheels on the ground.
On a Vulcan 900, also my first bike. First time I rode was msf on a nighthawk. No abs so I rely heavily on engine braking as well as my pads. Rear first then front is what I was taught. I also practice emergency braking. Idk about abs but, I feel like i could use it every now and again when I'm out and about town. Not on the highway as I leave too much room ahead of me so I can slowly stop. I guess in town would make life easier but, not necessary for me. Imo, of course
I was just in a crash, no abs on my k5 gixxer. The bike skid though I braked in time. Hence to Aris point abs would’ve been a saving grace to avoid the skid as I had to brake on downhill and didn’t know the road ahead was ending
I had a Sinnis 125cc and I locked the back wheel loads of times and came off. Got a 500c Honda with abs and not had a single issue with locking or braking 👌
I have no doubt it saved me from crashing when a car pulled out in front of me. After the near hit I realized that your instinct just kicks in WAY before you can make any concise decision. Before I fully realized it I had applied a lot of breaking pressure and I felt the ABS doing it's job. I simply do not believe you can override your natural instinct to self preservation. Only in hind sight you realize your body simply reacted to a dangerous situation. I've had similar experience when a deer suddenly crosses the road. you just react, you don't think about it. ABS IS a life safer and is designed for emergency breaking.
Very nice and simple video explaining the basics and need for ABS on street. I ride 373cc single cylinder motorcycle in India and the dual channel ABS saves me from crash almost on a daily basis. Thank you for this video. I'm going to share it a lot!
Is it the duke or the rc? Because I'm wondering if all the problems and bugs got fixed for the duke.
I spent 6 weeks in India, done the golden triangle etc... And spent some time in Pune. All I can say is that you're a braver man than I! I saw so many motorcycle adcidents. ( from the UK BTW, just to give some context )
@@nickam4100 Its actually Dominar 400, Indian version of Duke 390. (Dominar is product of Indian Manufacturer Bajaj, a partner of KTM) So basically it uses same engine block as the 390, but overall heavier motorcycle.
But yes, the 2017 D390 is much refined and improved than the older models.
I would love to have ABS on my bike, and TC for that matter. When I eventually get together the money for a new bike, it will have both of those.
What would really be helpful is one of those skid bike contraptions so I could get a feel for wet cornering. I lost confidence when I had Roadsmart 2s on and it's hard to get it back when I'm worried about binning the bike again.
Make a video on upgrading brakes please. I want to know about oversized rotors, alternative calipers and brake master cylinder differences in performance and advantages
I already knew all of that....STILL was damn good to watch.... MC garage is one of the best things to happen to TH-cam.....love you Ari 😍😍
Very illuminating video...well explained....how does Traction control stack up against ABS...interested because my scooter without either almost jack.knifed the other day when I hit a stretch of gravel and I had to fight to retain it and myself from smashing into a concrete dividing wall...ABS would surely have helped smooth that out if I braked...as I had notime to break....but maybe traction control may have stopped the sudden slew of the front wheel??
The new Honda PCX 150 in Indonesia, equipped with front disc AND rear disc brakes. BUT, they equipped the ABS only on the front. So, it’s kinda exciting when you hard/panic braking on 70kmph, the rear tyre went slip and squeaking (?) but the front just went in straight line.
I don’t know if that has something to do with the rear disc are thicker than the front..
My previous bike, a Honda CB500X the ABS was awful, it interfered well before the wheels were actually locking and actively increased braking distances due to it's behaviour. I ran with the fuse pulled after I learned how to brake "properly". However since upgrading to a bike with a lean sensitive ABS system I leave the system enabled with the rear channel turned off so I can still back it in. The premium IMU based systems on the premium bikes are excellent, the simple dumb two-channel systems are an impediment to riding fast but are a safety enhancement in traffic situations. A good system also gives you an idea of where that tyre's limit is just before you reach it, teaching you with that lever and pedal feedback that you're approaching the limit, unlike a traditional braking system which relies on you feeling the rear slide under the seat or the front tucking through the bars to tell you where the limit is. And you're right MM93 is a magician.
Great comments, thanks for sharing Kefford. I agree that ABS can be a great tool for discovering just how much traction your tires actually have.
Most roads here in Istanbul has almost no traction, so if you give full beans fully up right the traction control cuts the fuel off straight away. I happened to have a non abs bike before and it was a nightmare. 7 out of 10 times I’d be locking the front wheel and use my fingers as abs which wasnt as efficient and safe. It’s definitely a must here and i cannot imagine riding one without. Do you have roads like that in the US? How do you know if some tarmac has good traction and others don’t? Maybe another video? :-)
Just got back on a bike this year, and first item on the must have on the bike was ABS. On an early commute home traffic pulled onto the off ramp, riding brakes in front of me then suddenly everyone nose dived. I swerved over the rumble strips, onto the shoulder with the ABS system doing its job under heavy braking because the guy behind me wasn't slowing down as much as I would have liked (I would not have fit in the space left when he finally stopped). I could have gotten a bike sooner (and cheaper) if ABS had not been a requirement for me, but I could also have been a hood ornament. A coworker of mine watch one of her riding group drop his bake and end up in the hospital after a similar situation without ABS. Her husband had insisted she get a new bike with ABS, she had no issues stopping with control.
After those two events I'll never not have ABS on a bike. (unless I find a '79 CBX I can afford)
Thanks for sharing Clifford. Glad you're safe!
My friend and I were practicing emergency braking. My bike (2015 vstrom 650) has ABS and my friends bike (2008 shadow 750) doesn't. Huge difference in control and stopping power/distance between the two with ABS the clear winner.
Part of that difference has to do with the bike design, too. Your V-Strom is going to load the front tire more and decelerate faster. It's also likely got softer tires, even if they're a dual-sport design. The Shadow likely weighs more, loads the front less, and has significantly harder (and thus less grippy) tires. It's all part of the design brief of a cruise.
I've done a few unofficial panic stop tests with abs on and off. On dry pavement only. I could stop faster with it turned off on my XTZ1200. However it takes alot of attention where as with abs on. I can just hit them hard and don't worry about a skid. I turned it off accidentally the other day. I was easing thru a parking lot and a lady backed out right in front of me. Slammed on my brakes and skidded the rear tire and stopped about 2 feet from her back fender. I never turn it off unless I'm offroad.
Well, I have a 2018 Fatbob 114 with ABS and I also have an older 2003 CBR600. I find that ABS is great, it has saved my a$$ more than a few times from other drivers on the road not paying attention. Even though the Harley outweighs the CBR by a lot I feel more confident with the handling and braking system in everyday traffic on the Fatbob now...
Hi I like to swap oem master brake pump to other more powerfull like Nissin or brembo, will it interfere with abs oem settings?
ABS has DEFINITELY saved my ass a few times and every time it was a wake up call, for which I am always thankful. At over 40 yo the fewer crashes the better.
MOST of us "Like what we are used to"... and for old buzzards like me, that means NO ABS... Emotionally speaking...
But my last Bike Purchase also needed to be 'affordable' or it wasn't going to happen at all...so I threw down a DEEPLY Discounted hand full of Dollars on an FZ1. ABS was 'available' on the then new 2013 for about $1,000 'extra' and at full Retail price...Somewhere above $12,000. BUT they didn't have any in stock... And the 'left-over' 2012 model that I took home cost me about $8500 Ride-Out! With just 4 miles on the odometer, and no ABS. With 40 years of riding without ABS, I am still quite 'comfortable' just as it is. BUT I have had my share of times when I now WISH I had ABS, and I am pretty certain that my NEXT Bike will have it! My first experiences with ABS -- 'test riding' friends' bikes -- I was not comfortable with the examples I rode! But I DO realize how much it can HELP...Especially in those PANIC Stops that some .. Most of us will still GRAB the brake lever...
I still do Track Days with my non-abs 'nekked bike' ... and play Chase with a few WERA Racing Friends of mine up in the Blue Ridge Mountains... even at 66 years 'young' !! But more and more, I 'wish' I had ABS...but also glad I was able to Pay Off the bike at that purchase price, rather than to still be paying 5 years later...
Can a video be made about motorcycle vibrations and the possible causes and fixes for them?
ABS saved my butt when some stupid van driver decided to turn left ahead of me. And of course, as is always the case with such special snowflakes of a driver - he didn't bother to use a turn signal. Or to maintain his vehicle so the brake light would work. It didn't help that the road was wet from the rain that has just passed either. After that I went from "ABS is nice, but not really that important" to "just get ABS if you can".
I'm currently walking with a stick because somebody turned across me last week. I was lucky to not have anything broken as I slammed full on into his side. I'm definitely considering ABS as a future option when I buy a newer bike.
Definitely, but if you didn't lowside your bike then ABS wouldn't help much in this situation... I'm also recovering from a crash - but this one was on racetrack and it was mostly my fault. ;) Anyway - get well and ride safe!
@@motoholota somebody turn across my side of the road and I couldn't stop before going into the side of them and then he drove away from the scene without knowing if I was alive or anything.
If I'd been on a bike with better brakes I'd have stopped or at least reduced it to a bump rather than ripping the tank off my bike with my groin and la ding on my head on the other side of the car.
Some people ;/ Good thing you're (mostly) OK.
@@daved2352 ABS actually decreases stopping distance, if someone knows their bike. Most of my bikes have interfered before the tire reached limit.
Always very interesting and enjoyable to watch your videos Ari.
ABS is definitely a boon on our very dangerous Indian roads.
A point worth putting across to your viewers is the inherent tendency for the lever to sometimes continue to pulse, even when traction has been regained, thereby reducing the braking force to the wheel which coherently increases braking distance.
Don't know if I have been able to bring this across clearly.
Please can u make a vid of timing chain,shim and tensioner problems and how can it be caused
Good to see so many riders on here praising ABS, everyone can say they are an amazing rider as much as they want. But put yourself in the situation riding home after work in the rain, on less than perfect roads and a car pulling out on you. You will thank yourself that you've bought a bike with ABS.
Ayup, exactly the point I was hoping to get across in this video. I don't care how rad you are (or think you are), ABS is an asset in an emergency.
I think that the ABS on my Fireblade saved my bacon recently, mostly because I felt confident about squeezing the brakes as hard as I could. A big boat of a car turned into a driveway after having squeezed through a stopped lane of traffic, thus completely blocking the road about 30-40 feet in front of me while I was probably going about 40 mph.
I stopped about 6" from the door, and the driver and the passengers were just staring with their mouths open (he had stopped the car when he saw me... of course). I know I heard the rear ABS kick in, but I think I heard the front wheel slide and re-grip too.
Definitely adding "saved my bacon" to my repertoire
Already know all the facts... Love watching Ari explaining his way. Good job Ari 👍👍👍
I am alive coz of my ABS on my CBR250R i intentionally bought the ABS model. it's a life saver.
When is Ari gonna explain his workout routine?
Absolutely useful and good thing, but there are different approaches for abs systems and some versions on the past had reliability problems as example bmw servo abs quite expensive to maintain if it brakes down. The only negative thing that comes to my mind is not abs itself but mentality of some riders who think there is no need in practicing emergency braking because they have advanced abs system.
I've been riding 3 years now without ABS, but I would not mind having it as long as I could also turn it off. I like sliding the tail once in a while if the road is slippery or I'm just having fun coming up to a stop light. But I do like the fact that all new bikes (from 2017+ I think) sold in Europe must be fitted with ABS as standard. People here take this stuff seriously, which combined with the proper license requirements really make motorcycling in general a lot safer (and also more fun).
Hey guys, can you come up with a video explaining the functionality of the traction control system. Will be a great help.
I think you nailed where the negativity for ABS came from and there was a lot of truth about what said in late 1980s (BMW). Most major brands have ABS sorted out now where it is a must have and I guess from 2018 and on it is a will have. Not having ABS has not kept me from buying a bike but if everything is equal it is a tie breaker for me.
Like ABS in the beginning I am not so sure about the other electronic nannies. I will say traction control on the high horsepower bikes can certainly be useful. I do worry that some riders will be overly dependent on those nannies and neglect their riding skills. I already see it on the road with heavy throttle and braking way too much.
Future video question. I’m still fairly new to riding. I have figured out that leaning forward on my FJ 09 gives me better handling in corners. My question for you is how much does it matter if my weight is on the seat or the foot pegs? Do I gain performance by keeping my weight on the pegs and down low?
Generally speaking for aggressive riding you'll want your bodyweight on your footpegs. What you've discovered with your body positioning on your FZ is how weight distribution affects chassis geometry (fork angle and rear squat) and how that in turn affects handling.
I've been riding non-abs bikes my whole life and I can't wait to get one with abs
Had abs on an FJR1300, didn't care for it that much. Seemed very conservative and crude. My 16 FZ09 doesn't have it, and I can skid to a stop at will. Probably not as safe, but it's much more fun!
I like ABS on my XSR900, it has activated a few times on the front when I hit some gravel that blended in with road surface. Not sure if it saved me from anything or not, I think I could have released brake pressure in time to regain traction just fine, but not as fast as the abs did.
Do you guys back it in via locking the rear and then giving a healthy amount of throttle while coming off the rear brake? I want to learn how to do this.
Are ABS in a dual front disk the same as the ABS in a single front disk brake? In terms of configuration in the module or in the pump and sensor?
This video is 4 years old, both of my 15 year old 50cc scooters have aftermarket mechanical abs systems on the front wheels, they're super cheap setups, but I can confirm that they work, so yes. There WERE super affordable aftermarket abs systems for motorbikes as of thos videos publishing, but I don't know that I would trust them on a full size bike
What about adventure bikes for some off road use?
Is it better to be able to turn ABS off when off road?
Thanks
I have never owned a motorcycle with ASB. I would like to try one to see how it functions.
Great video and thank you. ABS has saved my bacon at least once and I'd prefer to continue riding with it at least on big, powerful, modern bikes.
I went from a non-abs bike (Yamaha R1 99) to a more backfriendly Z800 with ABS. - And ABS is just a musthave now!
Also went from carbs to fuel-injektion, all this new tech and i cant go back.
ABS has saved my arse a few times but also endangered me ( 2012 f650gs) it's great when going fast and emergency braking. But slower speeds I tend to find it causes more problems, like filtering speed my abs has triggered whilst trying to stop on white lines where a skid would of stopped me faster but the abs caused me to nearly crash into a car that had pulled into the middle unexpectedly.
Also it's bloody annoying how it turns itself back on everytime I restart brake . Had so many near misses off road because I wasn't able to lock up the rear.
can you guys make a vid on cam chain tensioners, which is better between manual and oem
Hi, please make a video on the difference between V Twin engine and Parallel Twin engine. Also which is better?
I have an XSR900 and ABS has saved my butt about a dozen times.
I have a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R and ABS wasn't an option so I make due with my two finger pressure modulation. But I have tried many ABS braking systems on old and new bikes from all Harley's to Yamaha R1Ms and they all feel spongy or lack feed back that I crave as a rider. I've also come across a few bikes that have no feed back and then the brakes bite in without a feeling change of pressure. I love the feed back of my non-ABS bike and the firm feel that it provides all the way through the lever pull/squeeze. Do you think it will every get to a point where an ABS system will feel like a standard braking system much like hydraulic steering has changed to electric in almost all cars? I also changed my rims out to BST carbon fiber which has reduced my rotating mass dramatically where I can stop, change direction and accelerate much quicker then ever before but the back end likes to kick up now under strong braking. Thanks for your videos they stay simple and to the point and I appreciate that for sure. Keep doing what your doing!
Thank you so much for finally talking about this.
Can you do an advanced one to compare systems from continental and bosch?
Also, can you highlight which bikes actually have cornerning abs? Companies try to obscure which bikes have it (i.e. speed triple vs speed triple rs). Also companies are loose with terminology and often refer to advanced abs as "having an IMU" but I think that's not the case -- Honda's new cb300r has an IMU but i don't believe it has cornering abs and other advanced things.
So much information! You'd do the community a huge service by explaining it further. Thanks!
Very informative and simple video as always.. Thanks :)
background music was a little loud in this video..
Definitely want ABS on my next bike. I commute on my bike every day, and I've locked the front enough times in emergencies that it's only sheer luck that I haven't gone down already. I bought the bike secondhand, but definitely would have optioned ABS if I'd had the choice. The extra cost would have paid itself back in underpants replacement by now.
Got an 2015 concours 14 and can't find much about the abs.even in the owners manual.Only seems to have on or off abs.Does it have that inertia sensor ? And the linked braking is a bit grabby then the abs kicks in. the brakes are really good though.
Hey Ari make a video on after market air filter and is it important to do any changes into the mapping of ECU?
I found the ABS system on my 2016 KTM Superduke far too intrusive so I bought the race dongle to turn it off and also the traction control system too, happy days!
ABS has saved my life more than twice for real!
100% agree. It doesn't matter how good you think you are, nobody can determine the traction on every inch of surface, all the time, everywhere. If your tires are warm, you know the road and are 100% concentrating - you can still hit a patch of "invisible" oil. You can't react - but the ABS can as it monitors the wheels 100% of the time in milliseconds. Thinking you're better/faster than a modern ABS computer is, to be honest, arrogant. Now, off-road / special surface - sure.
I had ABS on my 13 deluxe then when I bought my 17 streetglide it didn’t have ABS. ABS is only on the streetglide special to my knowledge. But the first time I had it on the highway in traffic some assbag changed lanes on me. Locked it up but I held it straight. Took some getting used to but I don’t notice not having ABS now. However I’m extra careful in slick conditions.
Harley had some odd option combinations in the past where ABS was part of the security package and whatnot.