Why ABS on Motorcycles?

I once querried one popular moto-magazine's editor about why his 60-to-zero braking tests are always done on completely perfect, dry pavement. Why doesn't his magazine include real-world braking tests including on dry pavement, wet pavement, gravel roads, and paved roads with sand or gravel on them. The response I received was that it would be too dangerous for the magazine's riders to stop in those conditions on bikes without ABS brakes, so they don't do it. Well, that's the point isn't it? So why don't they tell their readers that those bikes might be too dangerous for them too?

NHTSA's National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety includes reference to the positive effects of ABS brakes. The California Highway Patrol, and many other police agencies have switched to ABS equipped police motorcycles out of concern for officer safety.

Click here to read a PDF file from BMW Motorrad USA titled, Why is ABS important for Police Motors?

Here is a somewhat dated Real-World Comparison of ABS Systems from the Internet BMW Riders.

And here's a real-world example from the September 2006 issue of “American Motorcyclist” —

I was out for a morning ride on U.S. Route S9A, a four-lane highway near my home in Sedona, Arizona. I was traveling about 70 mph when an SUV, going about 80, passed me and moved back into the right lane in front of me.

About 100 yards before we reached a left-merging intersection, a station wagon entered the highway, traveling at about 20 mph. The wagon accelerated and began to move into the right lane in front of the SUV.

I moved to the left lane, but the driver of the SUV did not take any action to avoid the slower car. At the last minute, the driver swerved, but still struck the slower- moving vehicle.

The SUV flipped upside-down, spewing pieces of itself every­where, while I ducked to avoid them.

I was on my 2005 Yamaha FJR1300, equipped with anti-lock brakes. To avoid crashing into the inverted, sliding SUV, I applied full braking and came to a stop as it slid to a halt on the right shoulder.

After I stopped, I ran back to the overturned SUV, pulled the door open, and, responding to the driver's request, helped get her out of the vehicle. Her right hand had been severed, and she was bleeding badly. Thanks to my first-aid training, I was able to help stop the bleeding and help others find the hand to save it for the EMTs.

I'm thankful my bike's anti-lock brakes kept me stable, straight and under control. I was able to come to a full panic stop in seconds. On another bike, I might not have been so lucky.

William Steiniger Sedona, AZ

I can hear you saying, “Oh yeah, he's a BMW nut so all he is doing is pushing BMWs because only they have ABS brakes.”

Yes, I am a BMW enthusiast. And, yes, BMW was first to bring ABS brakes to the market and today offers the widest range of motorcycles equipped with ABS. But today Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati all offer riders ABS-equipped motorcycles. Here are some models of motorcycles available today with ABS brakes—either standard or as an option:

    Yamaha FJR1300 (no longer produced: FJ 1200A, GTS 1000)
    Honda Gold Wing GL1800, ST1300 ABS, Silver Wing 600 and 400 (scooters)
    Ducati ST4 ABS
    BMW K1200LT, K1200S, K1200RS, K1200GT (and numerous others no longer in production)
    BMW R1200RT, R1200GS, R1150RT, R1150RT-P, R1150RS, R1150R, R1100S, R1150GS, R1200C, R1200CL
    BMW F650 (various)

For 2007, three manufacturers have introduced new ABS models. Moto Guzzi offer the 1200cc Norge with ABS standard. ABS is optional on the 2007 Kawasaki Concours 14 and the Triumph Sprint ST.

In July 2004, Harley-Davidson announced, “ABS is designed to give motor patrol officers maximal braking effect without wheel lock-up in all-weather emergency situations, especially on slick roads. [Therefore] ABS will be offered on the FLHTPI Electra Glide and FLHPI Road King police models, and on the California FLHPEI Escort model. ... Harley-Davidson does not plan to offer ABS on other motorcycle models available to the general public.” One might ask, logically, “Why not?” ” Harley claims, with respect to ABS, that “Innovation is always a top priority when designing ... motorcycles.” Presumably “innovation” refers to adoping ABS on a limited range of motorcycles some 15 years after other manufacturers offered it widely. It was announced in June 2005, “Harley-Davidson has recalled certain 2005 FLHPEI, FLHPI, and FLHTPI police and escort motorcycles because the anti-lock brake system (ABS) lines may have been reversed during installation procedures. 1552 units are affected.”

There is really no excuse for a rider who is buying an expensive new road motorcycle today to buy one that does not have ABS. It is now available on sport, sport-touring, cruiser-style, and touring motorcycles from four manufacturers, and even on dual-purpose bikes. If fact, in my opinion, such a rider—if he or she does not choose ABS—is making a big mistake. It is one that could leave that rider unnecessarily in the hospital or worse.