Let's hope this is the start of something good

[DefyInertia]

I would agree that the rear brake is least useful when trying to slow down in a straight line; however, there are lots of other things that happen on the street/track/parking lot that make it very useful.

[Parabellum]

I do use it in my driveway...to hold the bike still while I use my right hand to operate my garage door opener.

I'm sure that if I lived in a hilly area, I would use it more often for similar circumstances.

I am not saying that my way is the right way, just that it works for me. I do better if I can devote my focus to the front brake only, than if I have to split my concentration between the two. I have tested myself for stopping distances and I am consistently shorter (better) with the front brake alone.

But that is just me, if the rear brake works for you guys, by all means use it!

[FazerRider]

dont our right hand and right foot already have antilock capabilities? just dont jam on your brakes.

[rennsport]

Originally Posted by SovietRobot

I would love ABS on the rear brake, mine seems that if you don't give it enough pressure it doesn't work and if you give it just a little too much it locks up.

The front however, i'd like a little more control over and you really don't get that with ABS.

ABS on bikes can be different though. In a car the front tires actually lock up for a split second and then the abs pump modulated them(similar to "pumping" the brakes on a car without abs), but if you lock up the front wheel on a bike even for a split second it can be disasterous.

Supposedly honda will have ABS standard on all road bikes by 2010/2011

Having had bikes with ABS, I would have to disagree. I purposely "exercised" the ABS system on both of those bikes and never lost the front end.


AS for the study, it is flawed.

As for why companies do not offer ABS more, look at past sales of bikes with ABS. The original FJ had ABS as an option, not many were sold. When the majority of bike riders do not wear helmets or other protective safety gear, do you really think they would spend the extra money on ABS, for a bike that is basically a toy?

[DefyInertia]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

I do better if I can devote my focus to the front brake only, than if I have to split my concentration between the two. I have tested myself for stopping distances and I am consistently shorter (better) with the front brake alone.

But that is just me, if the rear brake works for you guys, by all means use it!

I basically only use the front as well...but I know that I'm missing out on some of the benefits of having the rear and hope to work on that over time.

All I'm saying is that you should at some point consider learning how to use the rear in your quest to become a great rider. And no, I'm not talking about panic braking or even braking for T1.

Originally Posted by Parabellum

In my humble opinion what seperates a good rider from a great rider is learning.

To me, a good rider gets to a comfortable level of skill and pretty much stops actively learning. Of course we may learn something new with each ride, but in reality, learning is an ACTIVE process that requires a lot of hard work.

A great rider will never stop learning, never stop doing everything he/she can to become better. I think that for most great riders, that eventually takes them to either become a track day junkie or a racer (which is the real test of sport riding...not only competing against yourself, but also against others in the same quest for the perfect lap).

So I guess the short answer is that its really about always making progress....great riders never stop, but good riders get to a point and are happy not to move any farther.

And there is nothing wrong with just being a good rider....its not like everyone wants to learn how to shave that next second off their best lap time.

We are all in this for different things, but personally, I strive to become a great rider.

[midnightrider10]

call me old fashioned but I'm fine w/o abs. It's what I've grown up with and a little tire lockup is no biggy

[rennsport]

Originally Posted by midnightrider10

call me old fashioned but I'm fine w/o abs. It's what I've grown up with and a little tire lockup is no biggy

+1

I have had ABS equipped bikes before, but not now. I do not miss it.


Let me ask all those that are for ABS, why you are not riding a VFR or a V-strom? They have ABS...

[shaunomercy]

Originally Posted by markgm

I heard this on NPR this morning. I'm still waiting for it to be available on the FZ6.

Abs is available on the uk Fazers

Id be happy if it was standard fitment. Our roads seem to really suffer with patches of diesel and loose stone chippings. I think they need to address the crap standard headlights on bikes as well.

[regder]

I would like to try a bike with abs to see how intrusive it is before passing judgement, overall I'm fine without it, that's without trying it though

as for rear brake use, don't track riders use the rear brake to get rear tire sliding a bit to sharpen their corner? I remember watching a video (maybe linked from here?) where Rossi was showing some of his track techniques, one of which is getting the rear tire to slide sideways for a really sharp corner without locking it up.

[rg-one]

Originally Posted by rennsport

+1

I have had ABS equipped bikes before, but not now. I do not miss it.


Let me ask all those that are for ABS, why you are not riding a VFR or a V-strom? They have ABS...

My guess is that if ABS were offered on more models of bikes, more people would opt for it. ABS is not offered on all that many bikes, and people are likely not going to choose the bike they ride solely on if it has ABS option or not.

Honda is offering it as an option on most of their bikes next year, including the CBR1000 and CBR600. i suspect it will eventually catch on and people will come to expect it.

I think it could come in handy in a wet pavement, quick stop situation. Commuters will probably be the first to benefit. To the guy who said "don't jam on your brakes" - you must not ride on the street? In the presence of cars and animals and everything else that can cause you to HAVE to stop immediately? Or do you just do barrel right into it without even trying to stop...

Anyway, I think all the same debate occurred when ABS was new on cars. "Why would i trust this machine to do better than me".. Well, anyone who regularly drives on snow and ice loves ABS. Maybe the first iterations of it weren't all that great, but it sure works damn well now. It has saved my ass coming down hill on a completely glare ice hill with an intersection at the bottom many many times in the past...

just my 2 cents i guess

[CrazyBiker]

As for me ABS is must for both wheels. The way I use both brakes is apply the front continuously while keep pumping the rear. This gives me the most effective braking performance.

[rennsport]

Originally Posted by rg-one

My guess is that if ABS were offered on more models of bikes, more people would opt for it. ABS is not offered on all that many bikes, and people are likely not going to choose the bike they ride solely on if it has ABS option or not.

If they force it on them, but if given the option, I bet most people would spend the $500-700 on something else. I can just see some cruiser buyer scoffing at paying extra for ABS...

Remember, most people do not ride when it rains or is over 80 or under 70 degrees...

[Parabellum]

Defy: You make some great points there...it is another tool and I hope to learn how to use it well on the track.

[rev-fz6]

Originally Posted by rg-one

Well, anyone who regularly drives on snow and ice loves ABS.

I am Canadian and grew up in the snow-belt, I do not like ABS. Most of my friends also prefer not to have ABS. Please refrain from using works like 'anyone'

[Parabellum]

I drove for the last 10 years on roads full of black ice for 3-4 months of the year, every year, and never once wished I had ABS.

Now I have it and I LOVE IT, but its not a panacea....driving skill is still paramount.