ANDYVH
New member
There have been numerous articles on the effectiveness of ABS systems on cycles, to help the rider maintain control when braking in a straight line. But, I have never seen an article or video, relative to the limited capabilities of ABS on a cycle when the bike is leaned into a turn, or when swerving. But, many videos of ABS stops of cars also show the car being "steered" around an obstacle as part of the capabilites of the system. When a bike is leaned into a turn, lots of traction is being used. Current ABS systems only function once a wheel is braked, and that braked wheel must already be slightly past the traction thresehold (about 10% to 20). Most all of us know that combination is NOT good when leaned into a turn. Yet I bet many riders assume the ABS on their cycle will cover their butt if they loose control in a turn while braking, just like with the ABS in their car.
A huge influence on the misperception of ABS is in the name itself "Antilock Braking System". Everyone assumes it is a braking system, or a braking assist system, which it is NOT. Had it been called a "Stability Assist System" from day one with no reference to braking, then perhaps over time the car drivers and bike riders would not first think of ABS as a braking system.
"Stability", whether applied to the dynamics of a car or motorcyle, in essence means the operator is able to maintain control over the vehicle. But especially on a motorcycle, stability also means the bike must first remain upright, or at least in a manner enough for the rider to maintain control. For example: a rider power sliding through a turn, the bike can be leaned over a LOT, and countersteered a LOT, but yet the bike is stable because the rider has control. So the FIRST and PRIMARY function of ABS on cycles is to maintain stability/control, and in so doing the current ABS systems only fulfill this directive when the bike is stopped in a straight line and nearly always fully perpendicular to the road surface.
When we consider traction control systems for high performance riding, its been proven on race tracks that for a bike to really be fast through the turns the rider must be able to spin/slide the rear tire, sometimes with the rear of the bike stepping out. Traction Control, as a stability control, actually limits the rider's ability, if indeed the rider is skilled enough to power slide on dry pavement through turns.
So back to ABS, it is ONLY a stability assist system. In that context, riders really should not expect the ABS system to overcome their mistakes and inabilities relative to maintaining control while leaned into a turn and applying brakes. Because it all comes down to the traction limits. If the rider exceeds the traction limits while leaned/turning, the ABS system very likely cannot always assist the rider to maintain or regain control. Remember, for ABS to even engage, the rider first has to be on the brakes, and the tire has to slightly exceed the traction thresehold,. That combination is not a function of "stable" riding for most of us.
A huge influence on the misperception of ABS is in the name itself "Antilock Braking System". Everyone assumes it is a braking system, or a braking assist system, which it is NOT. Had it been called a "Stability Assist System" from day one with no reference to braking, then perhaps over time the car drivers and bike riders would not first think of ABS as a braking system.
"Stability", whether applied to the dynamics of a car or motorcyle, in essence means the operator is able to maintain control over the vehicle. But especially on a motorcycle, stability also means the bike must first remain upright, or at least in a manner enough for the rider to maintain control. For example: a rider power sliding through a turn, the bike can be leaned over a LOT, and countersteered a LOT, but yet the bike is stable because the rider has control. So the FIRST and PRIMARY function of ABS on cycles is to maintain stability/control, and in so doing the current ABS systems only fulfill this directive when the bike is stopped in a straight line and nearly always fully perpendicular to the road surface.
When we consider traction control systems for high performance riding, its been proven on race tracks that for a bike to really be fast through the turns the rider must be able to spin/slide the rear tire, sometimes with the rear of the bike stepping out. Traction Control, as a stability control, actually limits the rider's ability, if indeed the rider is skilled enough to power slide on dry pavement through turns.
So back to ABS, it is ONLY a stability assist system. In that context, riders really should not expect the ABS system to overcome their mistakes and inabilities relative to maintaining control while leaned into a turn and applying brakes. Because it all comes down to the traction limits. If the rider exceeds the traction limits while leaned/turning, the ABS system very likely cannot always assist the rider to maintain or regain control. Remember, for ABS to even engage, the rider first has to be on the brakes, and the tire has to slightly exceed the traction thresehold,. That combination is not a function of "stable" riding for most of us.