Anyone used the ABS in anger?

[London_Phil]

Just looking for some feedback on the ABS option for these bikes.
Not going to be able to cope with the Steamers Carb issues everytime I want to ride.
Ive attempted to look at 3 ABS bikes, all of which sold before I could get there, in fact, today, the new owner of one drove out of Allenbys in Chelmsford  as I was parking up to view.....
Lots of non ABS out there, but whats your experience of it, if any.
Not expecting a whats better, just interested to know if anyone actually had need of it, or had it engage at an opportune moment.

Regards

Phil

[Sin_Tiger]

It works well, especially stopping the rear locking up, I switched it off just to try it on tarmac (favourite trick with the steamer  ).

Good feedback through lever and pedal when it works but not intrusive to the point where you don't feel you're not in complete control.

[Chris Canning]

Regardless of the pros and cons of abs my question are you going to keep the bike a long time? Cuz if you are it will bite you in arse(financially) like all antiquated ABS does no matter who makes it,if your going to jump from bike to bike then it doesn't matter.

Although I have to say when the ABS when belly up on my K1200 I absolutely loved it(cost £1400 to fix)the first time I'd ever been in control of the dam thing where I could lock the brakes up and I knew where the bite point was.

[benebob]

I don't know why you would assume that ABS will go belly up, if you keep fresh fluids in it, your sensors clean it is a pretty proven system by this point.  I might be back working today had I had ABS on my 885i as I made the decision to simply let go and hit the drunk in front of me at 40mph or so as I didn't want to risk trying to brake and doing the standard oh shit front grab that would have sent me flying over.  It was the one thing I insisted would be on my next bike (after of course I moved on from the 955i).  I do have a question on the new system that I must have missed in the hand book.  I am assuming the brakes are now linked so when I pull the hand brake does the rear work or does the fronts work if I use the foot brake or both? 

I will say I'm a bit disappointed in the poor design of the rear swingarm.  Went to put a new sprocket (up a tooth) on my new to me 13 and the one chain adjuster was seized.  Seems they put some holes in the swingarm which allow lots of dirt and water to get in there then they used too long of a bolt so it goes past the threads and when you extend the bolt you draw all that crap in there.  I am now waiting for a used swing arm to arrive as it was cheaper than taking it to a machine shop to have it drilled out and retapped.

[Timbox2]

Jeez Benebob, you do seem to get em. Dont think the brakes are linked on the 800's by the way, not sure any Triumphs are come to that.

[Chris Canning]

I don't know why you would assume that ABS will go belly up, if you keep fresh fluids in it, your sensors clean it is a pretty proven system by this point.  I might be back working today had I had ABS on my 885i as I made the decision to simply let go and hit the drunk in front of me at 40mph or so as I didn't want to risk trying to brake and doing the standard oh shit front grab that would have sent me flying over.  It was the one thing I insisted would be on my next bike (after of course I moved on from the 955i).  I do have a question on the new system that I must have missed in the hand book.  I am assuming the brakes are now linked so when I pull the hand brake does the rear work or does the fronts work if I use the foot brake or both? 

I will say I'm a bit disappointed in the poor design of the rear swingarm.  Went to put a new sprocket (up a tooth) on my new to me 13 and the one chain adjuster was seized.  Seems they put some holes in the swingarm which allow lots of dirt and water to get in there then they used too long of a bolt so it goes past the threads and when you extend the bolt you draw all that crap in there.  I am now waiting for a used swing arm to arrive as it was cheaper than taking it to a machine shop to have it drilled out and retapped.

One of the great joys of multi bike ownership I see a real cross section of biking society ABS going belly up is just the norm particularly as bikes get older and the procedure is always the same they rip it out.

As for ABS I absolutely love it in a car!! Radio on,talking to the passenger,texting on my phone thinking about what I'm having for my tea tonight 'Oh F*** the traffic has stopped that's not how I ride a bike even though at times it borders on the lunatic,I won't even have GPS on a bike it's too distracting but hey each to his/her own.

[benebob]

Jeez Benebob, you do seem to get em. Dont think the brakes are linked on the 800's by the way, not sure any Triumphs are come to that.

I wasn't thinking they were from my limited use of it thus far but haven't really laid into 'em enough to tell.  It does brake a whole lot better than the 955i did though.  :) 

[benebob]

One of the great joys of multi bike ownership I see a real cross section of biking society ABS going belly up is just the norm particularly as bikes get older and the procedure is always the same they rip it out.

As for ABS I absolutely love it in a car!! Radio on,talking to the passenger,texting on my phone thinking about what I'm having for my tea tonight 'Oh F*** the traffic has stopped that's not how I ride a bike even though at times it borders on the lunatic,I won't even have GPS on a bike it's too distracting but hey each to his/her own.

I liken it to those that aren't on top of their maint. game or aren't "mechanical" enough to deal with the complexities.  Not much different then a US v-8 mechanic getting fed up trying to take care of a Ferarri engine and deciding it is a better idea to put a small block chevy in its place.  Sure, ABS isn't perfect and ups the maint. a bit but fuel injection is a tough thing to work on compared to carbs for the average person.  LOL

I do agree that a gps can be distracting but if you know how to use it and have it set up before getting on the bike it can be better than a lost biker trying to slow down, etc. to read street signs. 

[Chris Canning]

I use a GPS to earn a living and your take on using one is some distance from mine.

Re maintenance on ABS I'm intrigued never found my two need any more or any less than bikes without, its replacing the parts that cease to function that's the problem long after the warranty has run out.

[benebob]

I guess then Chris, you should just walk barefoot as I wouldn't want your shoes to wear out.     LOL  Any mechanical product will fail eventually and of course with the pathetic warranty Triumph puts on their bikes I should hope that they don't have to do a darn thing in that year.  I can put on lifetime pads as well and never have to do a darn thing with 'em again but that doesn't mean it is gonna help me stop when I need 'em.  I guess you're not the guy I should call for help fixing my wife's new Jaguar XF that doesn't even have a feaking drain plug.  Then again, maybe it makes sense to just trade it back in before the oil change comes due.  I think it is like another 2 years based on mileage.  :)

[London_Phil]

Its an interesting one, and highlights that were all different, I spose..
I totally get that its not for everyone, but for me, I think I would like to have it.
I also agree with the idea that most modern vehicles are bcoming harder for home mechanics to fully sevice and maintain.
I would hope the general reliability of any vehicle will be improved by regular maintence.
I won't hesitate to buy a FI engined bike now, even though carbs are "easier to" work on.
I remenber a similar argument when they started putting Electronic ignition on Harleys, my 79 FLH was the first of the breed.
As was said at the time, either type of system can fail, but in all likelyhood its going to be the mechanical one thats most likely to  put you at the side of the road more often.
Think what I saying is progress something something     ....
Ive just run my steamer in the garage after 4 days since the last time I ran it to temp, and the carbs have managed to gum up already. I can't go on like this, and I cant afford a new garage...

Regards

Phil

[Chris Canning]

My Tiger/1100s/XT660 are all but antique,the XR and 1100s you can self maintain with a bag over your head but if you bought an 1100s with ABS there's a good chance that you have already taken it off like so many have because the cost of keeping it running V the value of the bike just don't add up.

The Tiger assuming you can get your head around Tune ECU is strait forward,now my K is a law unto itself and one of the many contrasts is watching guys in the US(because of distance from franchised dealers)trying to self maintain one and digging a mighty big hole for themselves compared to most Brits who run them no matter how old through the BM dealer system and the threads about extended warranties which here in the UK is a good one runs into hundreds I could be here all night talking about such,Tim bailed out of such and bought his Tiger.

And last but not least my XR,this is a Triumph forum so I talk little about it but from the way it works and performs even you guys with the Explorer would have your socks blown off if you rode one I expected a bike another couple wrungs up the ladder I got a bike that delivered 10 it has the HP of my K and steers like me XT660 all with Fly by wire the down side not only it comes with ABS but all the software for traction control so god knows what the the long term holds but fixing it in my garage at home may prove interesting in years to come because my days of part chopping bikes every 2 years are long gone.

What the last two allow me to do is ride at a pace so the software is wiping my arse for me it masks the reality and it becomes a crutch to lean on that turns into a dependency,I have exactly the same with cars,we have an all singing all dancing GTD golf that allows me to get away with murder compared to our two other older cars we have but one of these days the whole thing is going to let go at heaven knows what speed its boarding on drug dependency and I'm certainly never going to try and justify it.

[Sin_Tiger]

There really isn't anymore mechanical maintenance required with the systems fitted to the 800's. Really if you're not changing the brake fluid at least every 2 years, that includes non ABS and cars, you're just putting putting trouble in the bank for later. The only additional mechanical component is the pressure pump, keep the fluid good and it's not likely to give anymore trouble than any other component.

[benebob]

There really isn't anymore mechanical maintenance required with the systems fitted to the 800's. Really if you're not changing the brake fluid at least every 2 years, that includes non ABS and cars, you're just putting putting trouble in the bank for later. The only additional mechanical component is the pressure pump, keep the fluid good and it's not likely to give anymore trouble than any other component.

True, beyond keeping the electrical connectors clean, the sensors clean etc but so many people neglect to do that.  I see the greater advantage of having it then not at this point in my life.  There was a time I was perfectly happy riding my death trap 60s and early 70s Hondas with cable driven drums.  Those I never had an issue with like I did with those pesky calipers on the later bikes either but of course I could also stop faster with more control by doing my best Fred Flintstone.  All this talk is making me mad though as my bike sits waiting for Fed Ex to find my swingarm so I can put it all back together. :)  Have a great weekend guys.  Off to the mountain for some turns on my boards. 

[Chris Canning]

There really isn't anymore mechanical maintenance required with the systems fitted to the 800's. Really if you're not changing the brake fluid at least every 2 years, that includes non ABS and cars, you're just putting putting trouble in the bank for later. The only additional mechanical component is the pressure pump, keep the fluid good and it's not likely to give anymore trouble than any other component.

Can't fault the logic the reality is a tad different ABS units are notorious for going belly up after riding over pot holes on a bike.