Abs

[nathanmargolis]

Have you ever ridden a bike with ABS?

Since having ABS, would never consider owning a bike without ABS.

I do know that serious sport bike riders do not like it when they are running hard and guess that is reason for on/off switch on some models (doesn't R1200S or the S1000RR have the ability for on/off).

But for most people, ABS is terrific. I know it has saved me at least once because off scrubbing off lots of speed before running off the road on Three Sisters in Kerrville, Texas.

The only negative is the required bleeding of brakes on a regular basis and it is a real PITA to do yourself and expensive to take in (about $250-$300).

Nathan

[sgoodwin]

You must of been asleep during these.....and no abs sucks donkey dick!


ABSectomy!

I thought my bike had ABS!!?!?! sorry long rant

[wswartzwel]

Back when all motorcycles had kick starters, you had to be a man to ride them... They were considered dangerous, and the mainstream public stayed away. Now the Government is mandating safety features so anybody can ride one... Just wait another decade.

[Thks4AllTheFsh]

I have mixed feelings about ABS, but I'm guessing Bill is right and this is the way that all of the major manufacturers will have to go in the future. I have an R1100s with ABS and just yesterday I experienced the highs and lows of it without straying from tarmac. I had it engage for the first time in a long time when I overshot a turn-off. It helped me make the turn, however I was never in any real danger because I had plenty of road to abort if I needed to. Later on I hit a gravel patch on a decent road and had it engage and almost went off the road. Either way, it is a mixed bag. Also, bleeding is a nightmare. Not impossible, but a pain.

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Back when all motorcycles had kick starters, you had to be a man to ride them... They were considered dangerous, and the mainstream public stayed away. Now the Government is mandating safety features so anybody can ride one... Just wait another decade.

They are dangerous!
I have scars all over my leg from my '83 Honda xl600r That thing was evil...

[sgoodwin]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

They are dangerous!
I have scars all over my leg from my '83 Honda xl600r That thing was evil...

Learning curve.

[Noblehops]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

They are dangerous!
I have scars all over my leg from my '83 Honda xl600r That thing was evil...

You just gave me a shiver. Had the skin peeled up on my shin like a potato peel trying to start one of those evil beasts with sneakers on when it kicked back and the kickstart lever came out from under my foot. I learned to NEVER kickstart one of those bikes without full motocross boots on.

N.

[wswartzwel]

Just have to know the technique. this guy does it in flip flops.

How To Kick Start A Honda XL500R Or XR500 Motorcycle - YouTube

[Noblehops]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Just have to know the technique. this guy does it in flip flops.

How To Kick Start A Honda XL500R Or XR500 Motorcycle - YouTube

Where the HELL was that guy 20 years ago when I had my XR600R. Wow.

N.

[sgoodwin]

He probably owned old brit bikes, use the same technique except they didn't have a compression release. Let a friend ride an old Matchless, he got to the end of the street & let it die, should of shown him how to start it but it was too much fun watching him try.

[bradzdotcom]

that's just mean, mr. goodwin.

i remember testing a Lito mx bike, big honking 550+ single i think it was, which didn't even come with a kick starter.
it was bump start right from the beginning, designed that way since inception.

ps: that video of the guy, despite what he says, it's the tame XL engine, not the XR motor he's claiming.
however, it is quite refreshing to see that someone actually did RTFM.

[Bob Hancock]

Positioning the thing at TDC is the key. I had 2 x XLCH's, 2 x Norton 750's, a BSA 650 and Triumph 750. I learned on a Puch 200 I think it was. Easy and good training.The hardest to start was the Norton P-11A. I think phase of the moon and coriolis had something to do with successfully starting it....not sure. But just leg action wouldn't do it or the XLCH's....had to choreograph a hop-kick to bring body weight into it and get that thing to turn over. Never tried flip flops.....what a dumb idea that is.

[ckcarr]

It was 30 years ago. A YouTube video won't help now...
Mine was a 600, 10x worse than a puny 500. I had a 500 also, and actually also a 350 now that I think about it...

[Noblehops]

It was a pain in the balls, especially if you had just yarded on it, drug it out of the ravine you ended up in, and it was flooded. I eventually got good at it, but not with such a specific technique.

N.

[Guest24]

Those who prefer a motorcycle without ABS are probably in a very small minority at this point in time. Trying to resell a bike in the future that doesn't have it could put you at a disadvantage. Just sayin'

[LeftCoast Peter]

ya, used to be a six pack. now kinda fluffy.

[bikerfish1100]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Now the Government is mandating safety features so anybody can ride one... Just wait another decade.

i teach "them" to ride. and i will assure you, regardless of what the gummint tries to do... some people are barely skilled enough to be passengers. ummint laws will neer beat lwas of physics, lemme tell ya.

worst kick start bike i ever had the displeasure to attempt starting was a BSA Victor 441. Even with a compression release, the thing was nearly impossible to get going. Probably the fault of Joe Lucas.

[Corky]

I have an xr650r, and have told a few of my push button (KTM) buddies they could have the bike if they could start it. I still own it. But I also own a push button starter too. I gave in. ABS doesn't bother me on my Multistrada but I can turn it off at will. What does bugg me on my 2004 R1100s with abs are those servo assisted brakes. THEY SUCK!

[sgoodwin]

You haven't gone far enough back yet, my friends old K model Harley made starting any brit bike seem easy. They had a nasty habit of kicking back when they back fired. If it didn't throw you over the bars it would break your ankle, which it did to my friend so badly he can't kick start anything to this day and it didn't have abs either to save him or add resale value.

[bikerfish1100]

Originally Posted by sgoodwin

....and it didn't have abs either to save him or add resale value.

true dat. of course, they had the predecessor to ABS, which was ASB: Anti-Stop Brakes. did not add much to the resale value however, as it was pretty much standard on all makes and models of that era.