R12S ABS put to use!

jonyo · 09-10-2007, 11:50 AM

Having never had ABS on a bike I was indifferent that it came on my 12s when I purchased it over a year ago, as the weight penalty was minimal. Returning
home from a day's ride yesterday I finally had to put it to use. The offender
was a Ford F350 quad cab running wide into my lane on the exit of a decreasing radius turn forcing me well past the turn in point thus leaving no road left to turn in on. While the abs modulated in the shoulder gravel I had resigned myself to fact that the bike was going over the cliff as I started to step off the side. Miraculously the bike came to a stop upright just as the front wheel started over the edge. No question it saved the bike. Kudos BMW.

Rimmy · 09-10-2007, 12:22 PM

wow. glad you are ok... and the bike

my ABS has saved my ass a few times out here in this crazy ass traffic.

but I DO want to share something here.

recently a friend of mine told me that any bike can endo. now of course they can, but BMW's so boastful about the ABS system I said that its not possible on my S. he called me out.

so, having SO much faith in the system (and I really did/do) I decided to prove it by showing him they can't endo.

SQUIDLY ALERT: be warned, because I felt so strongly it couldn't be done, I wasn't wearing all of my gear.

This was near Highway 9 here in Los Altos hills (prior to my bodywork changes). I had done one where the ass end was almost 2 feet in the air but no one caught it on film.

why show you this? no not to boast. I tell you this because I was SEVERLY let down when it happenned the first time, and it has changed the way I brake on the bike. I don't rely on the ABS to stop safely every time.

I am VERY glad that you are ok and am convinced the ABS systerm definitly contributed to saving your life, but just keep in mind that its no garuntee that you can't do something out of control.

ride safe bro!

English · 09-10-2007, 02:06 PM

You have a lot of weight on the front of the bike there. I tested my ABS downhill. With my R12S, the back wheel just comes off the ground before the ABS kicks in - going downhill. On a level road, I've never had that happen.

Seems the perfect set up to me.

Bob Hancock · 09-10-2007, 03:05 PM

rimmy....I suspect you have the wrong idea of what the ABS does. It keeps the tires from sliding, not the @ss end from coming up. So....assuming good traction, you should be able to do stoppies safely with ABS.
jonyo....glad it made a difference. I've never had to use it...hope I never do, but nice it's there...no?

R111S · R111S's Garage

I gotta say the ABS has been very helpful on a few occasions too...and most times it doesn't intrude. Definately will look for ABS on my next motorcycle.

Skippy · 09-11-2007, 05:13 AM

Why is your ass out of the seat Rimmy? Looks like your realy trying hard to get the rear up and as long as the front wheel isn't blocking you can do an endo/stoppie. When your braking though in panic situations you would probably squeeze so hard(and have your ass on the seat) that you would loose grip very fast and then abs would kick in and everything will be fine,. Next time you should listen to your friend as he seems to know what he's talking about ;-)

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

doing stoppies with abs has always been possible. doing endos...with or without abs...quite a bit more difficult.

stoppies are easiest to do with the clutch pulled in. the technique is: on the gas, then pull in clutch, mash front brake, throw body forward and modulate brake to retain the balance point.

as mentioned above by others, abs was never designed or intended to keep the rear wheel on the ground, especially when you mash the brake at low speed, throw your weight forward and stand on the pegs.

DanGreene · 09-11-2007, 09:36 AM

Once one sees it work in a panic situation, it is hard not to want it. It saved my bacon big time on my old K1100LT when a car pulled right out in front of me. I stopped about 12 inches from the front tire of the car and didn't even leave a skid mark on the pavement. This was from about 45-50 miles an hour. I have only activated a front wheel once and that was on my Ducati ST4s in city stop and go traffic when I wasn't paying attention like I should have been.

Rimmy · 09-11-2007, 09:37 AM

well firstly, as I said above, my butt is out of the saddle because I WAS trying to do one (poorly) to prove my point (which I failed at). and yes I was going down a slight embankment. also, as I mentioned, it wasn't the first one I tried.

he kept saying "do it again!" until he got a picture he was satisfied with.

and yes i'll be the first to admit I had the wrong impression of ABS as well. after that day the research I dug up only stated its designed to prevent low-sides and some high sides by allowing the tire to remain contacted.

stoppies are apparently just an ineviatability to motorcycles.

I will say, I have not tried since that day. its not a hobby I am interested in prsuing at ALL. I don't need a $14K paperweight.

now wheelies? those are becoming interesting. lol

no, i'm no stunter.

hawkeyejohn14 · hawkeyejohn14's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rimmy

wow. glad you are ok... and the bike

my ABS has saved my ass a few times out here in this crazy ass traffic.

but I DO want to share something here.

recently a friend of mine told me that any bike can endo. now of course they can, but BMW's so boastful about the ABS system I said that its not possible on my S. he called me out.

so, having SO much faith in the system (and I really did/do) I decided to prove it by showing him they can't endo.

SQUIDLY ALERT: be warned, because I felt so strongly it couldn't be done, I wasn't wearing all of my gear.

This was near Highway 9 here in Los Altos hills (prior to my bodywork changes). I had done one where the ass end was almost 2 feet in the air but no one caught it on film.

why show you this? no not to boast. I tell you this because I was SEVERLY let down when it happenned the first time, and it has changed the way I brake on the bike. I don't rely on the ABS to stop safely every time.

I am VERY glad that you are ok and am convinced the ABS systerm definitly contributed to saving your life, but just keep in mind that its no garuntee that you can't do something out of control.

ride safe bro!

What year 11S, linked brakes (grab the front get some rear)????

Rimmy · 09-13-2007, 06:32 AM

they're not "linked" as per. they Integrated braking system is a servo controlled system. most linked brakes the calipers share a common hydrolic line. so both petals are activating one another.

BMW's integrated system is only servo controller, the hydrolics are seperate. when you apply front brakes it activates 20% rear braking, when you apply rear it does not transfer to the front.

as I said, I didn't think I could do it. turns out I could.

my bike is an 04 11S BCP /ABS

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

except for some of the really, REALLY big cruisers, i'd venture to say that i could probably endo almost any motorcycle given enough time to annoy it.
not that i'd want to (unless you have a foam pit i can use). i've seen stoppies (little ones) on gold wings, easy ones on that fj1300 thingie, some HD's, but not that road/king/classic/motorhome thing....but never seen one done on a chopper.

that'd be a challenge. stoppies on a chopper.

hey, anybody got one i can borrow for a few weeks? one that...ahem....might repeatedly "tip over" in the garage at night, or get blown over by the wind....often....something like that?