ABS Test? Is it really working?

twobmws2003 · 03-06-2004, 05:09 AM

Hi Gents,

I have a question? How can I tell if my ABS is really working? Let me explain what I mean.

When I ride my GS as I feel the front wheel hop (it doesnt really hop but as it comes up and looses some of its traction) over small bumps or cross over wet manhole covers I feel the ABS kick in. I don't feel this on the R1100S. The front wheel of the S does not behave the same way under braking, it seems more planted. I also don't want to hit the front brake so hard that I feel the ABS kick in. I mean what if it is not working I don't want to hit the ground to find out.

On ocasion I do hit the rear brake and do feel the ABS kick in on both bikes. I feel I can handle a rear wheel slide out so I have no problem "testing" ABS on rear wheel.

So is there a way to tell if front wheel ABS is working on the S without trying to lock up the front wheel?

Thanks.

PS ABS warning lights are not on except for the normal blinking at startup.

davidb2 · 03-06-2004, 07:35 AM

Find a steep dirt road (like my driveway) go about 10mph and grab the front brake.

markjenn · 03-06-2004, 07:59 AM

The ABS on my 99 is pretty "clunky" and it readily apparant when it is working.

I think if you go to a vacant parking lot you should be able to test it AND practice your threshold braking technique with a fair degree of safety.

Find a flat braking area without obstacles. Accelerate to about 15-20 mph and establish a steady speed prior to braking. Don't grab the brakes, but instead squeeze the front brake lever progressively harder. Use the front alone so that the rear ABS isn't confusing things. DON"T LOOK DOWN AT THE WHEEL - keep your eyes straight ahead and on the horizon. Brake progressively harder on each pass until you detect the ABS working (it will make a clunk noise) or the front tire beginning to skid.

If the area is flat, the bike is going in a straight line, and you keep your eyes up, the risk should be minimal. And you need to know what the bike feels like when you're braking hard like this - it could save your life.

- Mark

twobmws2003 · 03-06-2004, 01:45 PM

Thanks guys, I will try it. This means that if I don't see any warning lights blinking while I am riding I should assume ABS is working properly?

Robert.

markjenn · 03-06-2004, 02:41 PM

My understanding is that the system is working if you drive away and the lights extinguish. I wouldn't take this to be the absolute last word though - verifying the ABS works only seems prudent.

- Mark

bikerfish1100 · 03-06-2004, 05:36 PM

markj has it right in terms of style of braking practice. successive passes, each one stronger than the last, head & eyes up the whole way. you MUST practice your maximum braking technique if you ever expect to be able to utilize the brakes on your bike to save your a$$ in times of need.

brad black · 03-07-2004, 01:57 AM

easiest way to test abs is in the wet. just grab a handful of front. if you fall off, not working. if you don't, working.

easy.

generally, the abs point at speed of the front brakes is so high that you need to just about be falling over the front braking before it happens.

or, find a piece of road with ripples and brake hard over that. generally the abs will kick in and the brakes will just release - scary when you need to stop.

i've had crappy tyres 'abs' on 1100r on normal tar too - michelin 90x, that sort of thing.

just test the rear over some dirt at low speed. if it's working, so is the front. really, i have to push myself to not release the lever beofre the abs kicks in if i'm testing the brakes. you can feel it and let go when the wheel locks before the abs does.

it's when you're not thinking about it that it saves your arse.

twobmws2003 · 03-07-2004, 05:54 AM

This morning I rode to Central Park to be a pace vehicle for a bicycle race and I passed a stretch of road which was wet and had ripples. I was only using the front brake at the time and I felt the ABS kick in. The bike got that weird sled feeling for a second you feel like you are on a sled with no control whatsoever. But in reality because your wheel is not locking up you are actually in more control. Weird no, how ones senses can be so easily fooled.

Thanks for your help guys.

markjenn · 03-07-2004, 09:25 AM

Some riders complain bitterly about this "freewheeling" behaviour in sport riding - they'll be threshold braking before a corner, encounter a few ripples in the pavement, and have the ABS system, with its long cycle times, freewheeling them into the corner.

I've never had a major issue with it, but I'm a believer that brakes are the "accident lever" in motorcycling, so I make a huge point to avoid using them - if I have to use heavy braking to keep the pace, then I let the braver guys go ahead.

- Mark