Hi, A question for all those with an ABS blade, how do you use your brakes when in an emergency ? I know the obvious answer is to slam them on, but do you lituralary slam them on and trust in the abs or do you apply them with caution yet firmly ? How many of you have had to slam them on and what exactly did you do? Apologies for being so vague, but I really would like to hear what others are doing with an abs blade under an emergency situation. I'm sure you've guessed from all my questions that I'm not putting all my trust in the brakes and potentially not getting the best out of the abs system Appreciate all your replies
It's hard to get out of the habit of progressive braking, and nor should you in everyday riding. However the ABS is faultless in a full anchor on stop. Best bet is to try it out on a quite road with nowt behind you, it was one of the first things I did as I wanted to know what it felt like and, more importantly what the performance was like. In an emergency you can forget the back brake, just nail the front and keep it there. In wet or greasy conditions it'll Piss all over a non-ABS bike, in fact on the very limit of available stopping distance a non-ABS bike will be on the floor on have hit the obstacle whilst you have pulled up with inches to spare!
Brake normally! you have to forget you got ABS and berake as you would normally do. Youve got the skills, just use them. Then if your not as skillfull as you think youve got ABS to give you a hand.
You need to get in the habit of ALWAYS releasing the brake level COMPLETELY every few seconds... It makes filtering a lot harder IMO, because you can't confidently touch the brakes, release a bit and hold if they're needed again. You have to touch, release, touch, release... Even so I've had a few moments when pulling up and the brakes collapse. Luckily I"ve been all but stopped with nothing in front. It's a completely different set of reflexes you need to develop though (Not sure I'd by another ABS, but I know that in the wet in an emergency, IF I haven't been holding the lever, they'll do better than I could. Probably). H
I maybe tempting fate here, but since Dobles re bled my brakes properly ie the 4 hr job involving the full system inc system behind the exhaust headers. I have never had the brakes 'collapse', they used to do it frequently but haevnt done for approx 2000 miles now! I do hope im not tempting fate as my new(isn) brakes are brilliant!
I think what you just mentioned is what im also finding, at speeds say below 40mph and I have to slam the brakes for an emergency, the bike/brakes seem to let go slightly/not fully slow down. its strange because at higher speeds hard braking seems to be great. I was wondering if its me or the bike, but I think I need to do what sinewave mentioned and really get to grips of how ABS works with a full pull on the leaver. Could it be that im unconsciously not pulling all the way in fear of locking up the front, possibly.
I was contemplating doing that, not a cheap option but I may go for it after reading your post, thanks
Honda recommend that it should be done every 2 years anyway, mines in for its first brake fluid change on Tuesday.. So fingers crossed.
make sure they do the whole system not just the reservoir. ie the modulator unit behind the headers, most will leave it as its a pig to get too and out of sight out of mind!
Thanks mate, will do. They're a decent bunch at my local dealer, and for 5 hours labour I should expect they're doing the job lot. However I'll mention it to them beforehand just to let them know I'm aware of what's necessary.
ive figured out what im experiencing. When braking hard whilst cruising at a constant speed, it behaves as it should, performs great. But when I give it some gas and then let off and at the same time pull on the brakes, I get the sensation its not stopping as quick as it was in the first situation. As if its not letting me apply all the brakes. I know this because during a full brake after steady speed, I can hear the wheels/brakes jitter and I can feel a lot of force on my arms. Where as when i pull on the brakes after letting off the gas quick, I don't get anywhere near as much force on my arms. has anyone else experienced this, is this how CABS is meant to perform, maybe something to do with tilt angle from gas on to brake on ?
Funny you mention this, just got some new tyres and scrubbed them in. When really putting on the anchors you can actually feel the ABS kick in and braking actually reducing! Anyone with an ABS give this a try, go around 50-60 and pick a point on the road to stop for ( a clear road obviously!) slam on the anchors to force the ABS to kick in. What are your results? More than once I've over shot where my experience tells me I should have made it easily. TBH I dont ride like this and like to modulate the brakes manually, but shouldn't the ABS give you min braking distances even if you are ham fisted?
I hope all you guys have checked whats on the problems thread i started. http://1000rr.co.uk/general-1000rr-discussion/10058-9.htm Any further input there is much appreciated. Cheers Pete
