[Onyx]

Ran across a video by the motorVlogger "Riding with Tom"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lgLU9istq4


Tom is about to do a review on the KTM Duke 390 vs the Yamaha R125

His friend riding the R125 while Tom rides the Duke 390

26 secs into the video and his friend lays down the R125...

at 2:20 he starts to discuss what happened... His friend smashed on the front brakes, locked it up and laid it down...

at 3:20 is where the real discussion takes place... The Duke 390 features ABS but its the only bike Tom's friend has ever ridden. so when he smashed on the Brembo breaks while on the R125 he locked it up... Tom wont speculate out of respect but we can...

ABS can be great in an emergency, especially on wet roads or in a straight line dead stop...its proven, its a fact,

but in my opinion, tom's friend never learned proper braking technique because he was too dependent on the electronics...

I would like you seasoned riders to weight in on the following...

Does having an ABS system or a slipper clutch on a "beginners bike" rob the rider of developing core techniques such as breaking and shifting?

 

[jayrex]

I believe for the ABS situation it can give the rider false confidence. Sort of like 4x4 on a car. The rider needs to understand what the purpose of the technology is, and what its limitations are.

 

[slolane]

Having ridden on the street for 25 years now and having dozens of all types of bikes my personal opinion is I prefer all of the modern safety features of ABS, traction control, etc. when available but these may still not save you from yourself. For all new riders I recommend good gear and at least one rider safety class to learn the basics in a controlled environment from professional instructors, not some friend who has been riding and now trying to teach someone else their opinion, maybe missing critical things that should be corrected and also maybe teaching them bad habits.

 

[Freak]

I have only been riding for a year so i like getting some help from the bike.

Here in Europe we get ABS, but not the slipperclutch.

In an emergency with the ABS you just slam the brakes, that's the right move. Without ABS you need to bring the bike to a stop yourself. That's 2 different ways to break and you need to know in your mind (when the s** hits the fan) which to use now. Too weak on a breaks with ABS might make you hit something.

 

[barett]

Even so, its my understaning that you'll never be able to fully exploit ABS unless you can do it well without ABS...

Ive always figured that skill + electronics is far superior to skill=electronics

 

[Aufitt]

I have only been riding for a year so i like getting some help from the bike.

Here in Europe we get ABS, but not the slipperclutch.

In an emergency with the ABS you just slam the brakes, that's the right move. Without ABS you need to bring the bike to a stop yourself. That's 2 different ways to break and you need to know in your mind (when the s** hits the fan) which to use now. Too weak on a breaks with ABS might make you hit something.

*OP your question has just been answered even if nobody else replied.


This post is exactly why ABS should never be sold to learners, or fitted to learner bikes, or worse still, be used as a marketing tool to delude the inexperienced who need to gain skills and progress.


ABS on bikes is a concession to mediocrity under misguided claims of safety when the lowest common denominator are riding outside their abilities.


Get some training, learn to hover the rear wheel if you must,
but don't ever think you can treat ABS equipped bikes any differently than non ABS, Motorcycles will kill you without developing basic skills.


When I read that no ABS is a 'deal breaker' for a new rider, the psychological damage is already done, and those riders should consider any other mode of transport than a motorcycle IF they are not prepared to learn to 'Brush and Bury.








.

 

[alexstahp]

In the UK if you start riding from the age of 16/17 you are limited to a 125cc and pretty much none of them have abs as stock (it's soon becoming a requirement though) and having learned on a yzf r125 (which i still ride) with no abs i personally think people everywhere should learn without abs as it won't baby you and you'll pick up proper breaking technique.

 

[FireFighterGuy]

I believe for the ABS situation it can give the rider false confidence. Sort of like 4x4 on a car. The rider needs to understand what the purpose of the technology is, and what its limitations are.

All big brand bikes are going ABS, its a proven fact it helps to save lives. Why ride without it if you had the choice. Core skills comes down to common sense, theres no possible core skills that will allow you to do an emergency breaking in a rain storm and still protect you from wiping out the moment you touch that lever.

ABS on motorcycles only works if the computer senses an aggravated amount of pressure on the lever. It will not activate under normal braking level movements.

Some companies like Ducati and KTM allow the user to disengage the safety systems so riders can hone there so called "core skills" at low speeds in parking lots.

All new riders should acquire "riding" skills, understanding the lines, entry speed, exit speed, traffic, a whirl wind of crap that can kill you. Let the ABS handle the breaking for now. Once the newbie has built confidence, then allow them if they want to that is, play with a non-abs mode on a bike. (do at your own risk)

When was the last time you bought a brand new car or a used car for that matter and it did not have ABS built into it? Likely never.

I've scraped up far too many non-breathing people off the highways after a motorcycle crash, all had no ABS on their bikes or rather whats left of them.

Old school riders need to get current with the times. Educate, encourage and put the proper tools in new riders hands that will save them from broken bones or worse death.

Sincerely;

Mr. Fire Fighter