Tested the anti lock brakes on my Harley.

[Faulkner]

Just got home from a three day motorcycle ride with a buddy that I've been riding with for a number of years. Since 2005 just he and I have been taking an annual motorcycle ride, generally to Civil War memorial or battlefield location like Vicksburg, Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Fort Donelson, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, Appomattox Court House, or historic locations like President Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage. We look forward to these each year and getting to spend a few days out on the road. Most all of the riding is on 2-lane and we avoid the interstate like the plague.

This past weekend we decided to ride the northern half of Natchez Trace in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, and then on over to ride up in the Land Between the Lakes up into Kentucky. During this trip I got to try out my anti-lock brakes on my Harley Ultra Classic for the first time. Fortunately, they worked as designed and in retrospect I believe the situation could have been ugly otherwise.

As we were heading south on a 2-lane in Kentucky we rounded a curve and were confronted with a Kentucky sheriff's patrol car heading north running code with lights and siren. I saw and heard him at about the same time and he was in our lane as he was passing a pair of vehicles. There was no shoulder so all I could do was slam on the brakes, my buddy was riding a Goldwing and he did the same as the patrol car cut back into the oncoming lane ahead of the cars and continue on. I was very impressed with the anti-lock brakes and how they helped me keep control of the big 900+ pound motorcycle as I got it to a stop, but I must admit the noise was someone unexpected and caught me a bit off guard and it took be a split second to realize what the noise was.

Obviously, I have no idea what kind of call the officer(s) were going on but I certainly pray he arrived safely.

 

[gman51]

That had to be a scary situation. Glad you and your friend didn't become bug splatter on the patrol car.
The first time I test drove a Chevy S 10 in the rain I thought what was that awful noise when I applied the brakes. It was the ABS making the racket.
Personally I think on several cars I have owned the ABS was set way to heavy. It reminded me of the old drum brake shoe fade. I had the pedal down hard and I was just hoping the dang thing would stop before I smacked the cars in front of me. I had a sigh of relief when they got moving before I got to them. I am not fond of ABS.
I can see on a motorcycle it sure could come in handy to keep especially the front wheel from going out from under the bike. I have had the M/C rear tire lock up on a wet oily road surface that caused some rear fish tailing. Got off the rear brake real quick. ABS might have kept that from happening.
Glad you both were able to keep the rubber on the road.

 

[jimbo728]

Im very glad you and your friend avoided a bad situation. Great reaction by you and the brakes performance saved the day!
Jim

 

[Fishslayer]

Personally I think on several cars I have owned the ABS was set way to heavy. It reminded me of the old drum brake shoe fade. I had the pedal down hard and I was just hoping the dang thing would stop before I smacked the cars in front of me. I had a sigh of relief when they got moving before I got to them. I am not fond of ABS.

Same here. The ABS on my '04 Dakota generates laboratory grade vacuum.

Trying to remember if I ever rode a Harley with ABS. I know the E80s & up could really generate some stopping power and got even better with floating rotors & steel lines. WAY beyond a 3" wide front tire.

 

[chief38]

Faulkner and other Harley riders...... (a slight drift from OP but important enough in my mind to mention here).

As long as we are talking about H-D ABS Brake "testing", Harley had a Recall (#0171 Nov. 2018) and Service Bulletin about changing the fluid on their Bikes not too long ago. Apparently, NOT changing the brake fluid every two years can result in Brake malfunctions.

PS: This is really nothing new and Brake Fluid SHOULD always be changed every few years (on cars and trucks as well)! It's just that many people don't realize this and never remember or bother to do so. It's actually pretty easy!

The ABS system on my FLHTCU Ultra works well and I make it a point to do a low speed test almost every time I ride just so I KNOW everything is perfect. DO NOT NEGLECT CHANGING BRAKE FLUIDS ON ALL YOUR VEHICLES - however cars are a bit more forgiving than Motorcycles due to their 4 wheels and larger fluid capacities. Personally I use Amsoil Brake Fluid which is the highest rated Brake Fluid I could find, but there are also other brands that come close. Just don't neglect a system that most take for granted - especially on a MC - you want them working 100% when they need too!

 

[cndrdk]

Obviously, I have no idea what kind of call the officer(s) were going on but I certainly pray he arrived safely.

That sounds like me after I arrived at a call and discovered that I had left my M58 .41 mag on the back of the toilet at a gas station quite a distance away. It was still there when I got back, whew!

 

[Faulkner]

Faulkner and other Harley riders...... (a slight drift from OP but important enough in my mind to mention here).

As long as we are talking about H-D ABS Brake "testing", Harley had a Recall (#0171 Nov. 2018) and Service Bulletin about changing the fluid on their Bikes not too long ago. Apparently, NOT changing the brake fluid every two years can result in Brake malfunctions.

PS: This is really nothing new and Brake Fluid SHOULD always be changed every few years (on cars and trucks as well)! It's just that many people don't realize this and never remember or bother to do so. It's actually pretty easy!

The ABS system on my FLHTCU Ultra works well and I make it a point to do a low speed test almost every time I ride just so I KNOW everything is perfect. DO NOT NEGLECT CHANGING BRAKE FLUIDS ON ALL YOUR VEHICLES - however cars are a bit more forgiving than Motorcycles due to their 4 wheels and larger fluid capacities. Personally I use Amsoil Brake Fluid which is the highest rated Brake Fluid I could find, but there are also other brands that come close. Just don't neglect a system that most take for granted - especially on a MC - you want them working 100% when they need too!

Interesting tip, thanks. I don't think I've ever changed out the brake fluid on any vehicle I've owned, and I've owned some for a long time.

 

[tomhenry]

Hope you thought to pack some spare shorts.

 

[dmn57]

As a fellow rider I'm happy it worked out for both of you. I cinch up just a bit whenever I read something like this.

 

[WardenRoss]

Been riding since 1970.

I will not own a bike without ABS.

It's true that a competent rider with time and perfect conditions can stop shorter without ABS but each time I've had a near miss and had to stop quickly, there were many variables occurring all at the same time.

Hauling a bike down unexpectedly when you may be tired or distracted or on slippery asphalt takes skill. ABS will save your life.

Glad you arrived safely!

 

[billwill]

Hope you thought to pack some spare shorts.

You beat me to it but I bet you he found a new pair, yes siree bob.

 

[The Big D]

Just one time...so far.

Hope it doesn't happen again but the ABS on my Harley FXLR Low Rider worked fabulously, as expected, when I was forced to make a sudden 'stop' on the 9/11 Ride last August.

Rider in front of me made a sudden left to avoid who knows what and I hit both brakes hard. Nary a wobble from 'Margot' and no harm, no foul.

Suspect it might have been a bit different without ABS.

Be safe.

 

[Big Cholla]

Several years ago I upgraded from a Sportster 1200 to a Road Glide. About the second day of riding the Road Glide an oncoming sedan spun out on a fast city arterial trying to cut a fast turn into a 7-11. I was doing the speed limit of 55 mph and was just about centered on the spinning car. I got on the brakes, the ABS cut in and while I was slowing rapidly I was able to turn just enough to miss the sedan to the direction it was coming from. I missed the end of the sedan by about a foot. I stopped to get the shakes calmed down and thanked my lucky stars that my new Road Glide was equipped with ABS. Now, I won't ride any street bike regularly that is not equipped with ABS. ......

BTW; My daily ride right now is a 2015 Harley Low Rider that I have rebuilt the rear suspension to raise it up for more travel and I made it into a 'mini-touring' bike. You can bet that it is equipped with ABS.

 

[johnbeaver]

Doesn't matter what kind of call you have if you don't get there to help.

 

[Cobroller]

I have been to Pea Ridge twice and found it very interesting. Only found out two years ago that grandpa on mother's side fought there and in other battles. He became a citizen as a result of his service.

Safe travels.