Anyone been saved by lean sensitive ABS?

[Esceptico]

I thing I do wonder about is whether it would be worth switching to a bike with lean sensitive ABS (or just ABS!) I’ve never had to rely on ABS but it is probably one of those things that you only need it when you really need it.

Anyone on here been in that situation?

[Birky_41]

Nope not leaning as in roundabout lean. I've had mine punch on a few times when slightly over. It just feels like normal abs but less intrusive and gets harder as it goes upright if that makes sense?

Never been unfortunate to need it lent over though

[Jazoli]

No not yet but I'm of the old school of get all my braking done before tipping in, current bike has it and I bought it because of it, from what I've seen in vids it's a fantastic system but I've never knowingly triggered it.

[Andybow]

I used it “I think” a couple of weeks ago when going up onto Dartmoor, left hand bend, two deer jumped out in front of me, brakes slammed on mid corner lent over, it was wet and cold and the bike just stopped with no fuss, my sphincter was slower at reacting!

[Esceptico]

Andybow said:

I used it “I think” a couple of weeks ago when going up onto Dartmoor, left hand bend, two deer jumped out in front of me, brakes slammed on mid corner lent over, it was wet and cold and the bike just stopped with no fuss, my sphincter was slower at reacting!

This sort of story makes me think perhaps I should change. I mean I always wear protective gear even though I haven’t crashed on the road in a long time.

[squirdan]

useful thread thanks. I'm about to swap my Thruxton R for a Scrambler and the XE model has the leaning ABS

[airsafari87]

I seem to recall seeing a video KTM released for one of their Duke models demonstrating the lean sensitive ABS?

The amount of brake that could be grabbed while leant over on wet roads iirc? Without going down was very impressive.

[snagzie]

Got my 2017 Vstrom this weekend, and I've learned that it has this feature (bosch system).

Never had it before so maybe I'll be saved in the future by it!

[bogie]

Nope......never thought about it

are you just looking for a reason just justify a new bike perhaps ?

[Jazoli]

Esceptico said:

This sort of story makes me think perhaps I should change. I mean I always wear protective gear even though I haven’t crashed on the road in a long time.

I think its one of them aids where you never need it until you really need it, then you are very thankful that you have it, It doesn't change my riding style knowing that I have it but it gives me confidence that if I ever do need to grab the lever mid corner I've a chance of staying on and making the corner or avoiding the obstruction.

[evilzed]

I've got two bikes one has standard ABS (FZ1) and it has kicked in on the odd occasion mainly on the back wheel and TBH when it has I've been glad but on my other bike I've rarely had any issues other than locking up the rear maybe very briefly and getting it under control. IMO it's definitely worth having as few of those videos you see on youtube show the ABS really help riders swerve out of situations where though couldn't have had they locked their brakes.

Traction control would be nice to have as a next step up but instead I went for the cheaper airbag vest option

[Jazoli]

evilzed said:

I've got two bikes one has standard ABS (FZ1) and it has kicked in on the odd occasion mainly on the back wheel and TBH when it has I've been glad but on my other bike I've rarely had any issues other than locking up the rear maybe very briefly and getting it under control. IMO it's definitely worth having as few of those videos you see on youtube show the ABS really help riders swerve out of situations where though couldn't have had they locked their brakes.

Traction control would be nice to have as a next step up but instead I went for the cheaper airbag vest option

ABS and lean sensitive cornering ABS are different, on an ABS equipped bike (like your FZ1) the bike will slow down if you grab a handful of front brake but it will stand the bike up and make you run wide, on a C-ABS bike the bike will just slow whilst maintaining your line and it won't lock the wheel or stand the bike up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHRWg91hv-M watch from 2 mins in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCMwn4D0HJ4 and from 2.35

Edited by Jazoli on Monday 17th February 11:57

[evilzed]

That's why I said it has standard ABS and even the standard type has been good on the occasion so I imagine the lean style is even more valuable.

[Wildfire]

Not had the leaning ABS kick in, but had a few moments when I was glad I had ABS on the old 821. I commuted 10k on it in around a year, all round and in some pretty bad weather, most of it was idiots pulling out without looking or random lane changes in central London. Was very glad of it.

Only managed 300 miles on the new bike and hopefully will never have to test it out.

[black-k1]

I understand the “man maths” that leads to the justification of a new bike but I think solely on cornering ABS is probably a step too far. I’m not aware of having used the ABS (cornering or not) on my current bike but have used old fashioned non-cornering ABS on previous bikes. ABS is something that you don’t need until you need it (if you know what I mean), and are then are immensely grateful it’s there. That said, while I’ve needed, and used, normal ABS, I’ve never had a situation where I think cornering ABS (over normal ABS) would have made things safer.

[DJP]

I've only ever triggered normal ABS on purpose to check it still works.

And I can't see cornering ABS being much use since after 30 years of not having it I'm conditioned to never brake in corners.

[Esceptico]

bogie said:

Nope......never thought about it

are you just looking for a reason just justify a new bike perhaps ?

I rarely need a reason for a new addition!

[podman]

I never felt the need for any type of ABS but last year in France, a car swapped lanes at the last second into my chosen toll booth and I had to hit the anchors harder than I wished , it was peeing down with rain and the booth floor was covered in oil spots/soiled areas , the ABS triggered and I managed to keep the bike upright and not hit the car, replayed the incident many times in my mind and im sure that day, on that occasion, it probably kept me avoiding a spill..

I think that's the bonus to any form of ABS, when the unexpected happens, it can really help.

[BobSaunders]

Lean sensitive ABS would have greatly helped in the past when my inexperience has shined through. If anything i would rather have it than not. I hope it becomes standard, but i appreciate it will drive the cost of bikes up.

[MrGman]

DJP said:

I've only ever triggered normal ABS on purpose to check it still works.

And I can't see cornering ABS being much use since after 30 years of not having it I'm conditioned to never brake in corners.

I’m sorry but I don’t understand this mentality.

What about that situation which you’ve not been in yet luckily, cornering and a deer or something jumps out in front of you? Would you still not be fussed if your bike had cornering and or not?

Edited by MrGman on Tuesday 18th February 09:26