| Why ABS on Motorcycles? |
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| Thursday, 20 October 2005 | |
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Why ABS on Motorcycles? “Anti-Lock Braking System” by Jeff Dean
ABS, or anti-lock braking systems, on motorcycles save lives and prevent injuries. Even so, the national motorcycle media pays scant attention to this innovation. I have even read moto-magzine articles about ABS-equipped motorcycles where the existence of ABS brakes isn't even mentioned! Some magazine editors and writers claim ABS doesn't work, is dangerous, or is unnecessary (the latter, of course, because they are such skilled riders). This false writing does a serious disservice to readers.  I once queried one popular moto-magazine's editor about why his 60-to-zero braking tests are always done on completely perfect, dry pavement. Why doesn't his magazine include real-world braking tests including on dry pavement, wet pavement, gravel roads, and paved roads with sand or gravel on them. The response I received was that it would be too dangerous for the magazine's riders to stop in those conditions on bikes without ABS brakes, so they don't do it. Well, that's the point isn't it? So why don't they tell their readers that those bikes might be too dangerous for them too? NHTSA's National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety includes reference to the positive effects of ABS brakes. The California Highway Patrol, and many other police agencies have switched to ABS equipped police motorcycles out of concern for officer safety. Click here to read a PDF file from BMW Motorrad USA titled, Why is ABS important for Police Motors? Here is a somewhat dated Real-World Comparison of ABS Systems from the Internet BMW Riders. And here's a real-world example: A friend and I were riding in the autumn on some of southern Arizona's finest roads. It was a beautiful, dry, sunny day. The high was 80 degrees. I was riding my ABS-equipped BMW R1150RT and he was riding a V-Rod, a motorcycle that is not equipped with ABS brakes. About mid-afternoon we were heading home. I was in the lead, and he was following. I slowed to make a simple 90° turn off a paved road onto another paved road. In the intersection, just before the turn, was some gravel on top of the pavement. It wasn't a lot of gravel, but enough to cause concern to any motorcyclist who is braking. As I turned, I heard an enormous crash behind me. I stopped, looking back, and the motorcycle was lying on its right side and my friend was getting to his feet, his jeans torn. The crash bar on the motorcycle saved the motorcycle from serious damage, other than to the bar itself. We righted the motorcycle and my friend, who said he was o.k., mounted it and started it up. My friend had applied too much front brake and the front tire slid out on the gravel. It was clear to me that had he been riding an ABS motorcycle, the crash would not have occurred because the ABS would have compensated automatically for the gravel on the road. As we rode on further, we came to a large area of gravel on the right side of the road. We stopped, and I told my friend to watch, because I wanted to do a demonstration for him. I did a U-turn, road back a ways, and turned again. I then accelerated up to about 40 MPH and headed stright for the heart of the deepest gravel near my friend. As I entered the gravel I applied both brake levers fully and the motorcycle came to a smooth, controlled stop. “That's amazing,” my friend said. Yes, it is. It is amazing what ABS can do for a rider. And it does it not just for a demonstration, but also when the chips are down and your life is on the line. We do not always ride in a perfect world where the pavement is forever dry and free of stuff that interferes with traction. In spite of what California-based moto journalists may think, the real world is not nearly so kind. By the way, my friend now rides an ABS-equipped Honda ST1300. Here's what he wrote me in an e-mail message: “After riding this nice bike I will never go back to a Harley — it is the best handling bike I ever had. It also has ABS and linked brakes, an electric windshield, and headlight adjustment. I can't stay off that bike, the engine power is so smooth and the linked brakes are out of this world, never thought I would be so much in love with a motorcycle.” I can hear you saying, “Oh yeah, he's a BMW nut so all he is doing is pushing BMWs because only they have ABS brakes.” Yes, I am a BMW enthusiast. And, yes, BMW was first to bring ABS brakes to the market and today offers the widest range of motorcycles equipped with ABS. But today Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati all offer riders ABS-equipped motorcycles. Here are some models of motorcycles available today with ABS brakes—either standard or as an option:
In July 2004, Harley-Davidson announced, “ABS is designed to give motor patrol officers maximal braking effect without wheel lock-up in all-weather emergency situations, especially on slick roads. [Therefore] ABS will be offered on the FLHTPI Electra Glide and FLHPI Road King police models, and on the California FLHPEI Escort model. ... Harley-Davidson does not plan to offer ABS on other motorcycle models available to the general public.” One might ask, logically, “Why not?” ” Harley claims, with respect to ABS, that “Innovation is always a top priority when designing ... motorcycles.” Presumably “innovation” refers to adoping ABS on a limited range of motorcycles some 15 years after other manufacturers offered it widely. It was announced in June 2005, “Harley-Davidson has recalled certain 2005 FLHPEI, FLHPI, and FLHTPI police and escort motorcycles because the anti-lock brake system (ABS) lines may have been reversed during installation procedures. 1552 units are affected.” There is really no excuse for a rider who is buying an expensive new road motorcycle today to buy one that does not have ABS. It is now available on sport, sport-touring, cruiser-style, and touring motorcycles from four manufacturers, and even on dual-purpose bikes. If fact, in my opinion, such a rider—if he or she does not choose ABS—is making a big mistake. It is one that could leave that rider unnecessarily in the hospital or worse. Related Articles:Polaris Announces Organizational Expansion of Victory Motorcycle and Intern2006 Electra Glide hits the high notes Digital Performance Launches Industry's Largest Motorcycle Directory History of Cafe Racers The new BMW R 1200 S and information about the K1200 GT and F800 ST Hybrid bike goes like stink -- but doesn't The Sportbike Engine of the Future: Other Valvetrain Options |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 March 2008 ) |
