I now appreciate the anti-lock brakes on the Cali14

[jbhotchkiss]

Hey all,

Out for a leisurely ride yesterday on the Cali14 on one of my favorite no-traffic, twisty roads outside of town.  Perfect weather, really enjoying the ride (in the zone?) and a fuel oil truck that looks stopped with his left turn signal on initiates his turn as I approach - I hit the brakes (front AND rear) pretty hard, expecting lock-up, but instead just slowed very quickly with no lock-up and only a hint of anti-lock shudder.
Similar situation on my Centauro a few years ago resulted in a low side and five broken ribs.
Lastly, want to emphasize that I should have more alert - being comfortable on a favorite low-traffic road does not diminish the need for vigilance.

[jbhotchkiss]

BE  CAREFUL OUT THERE - ALWAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lucydad]

JB,

ABS is superb and a big safety plus.  Glad you are ok.  I had an analog ABS experience on my Triumph 675 a few weeks back.  ABS prevented a likely skid while in emergency stop due to a guy blowing a red light.  2012 V7R does not have ABS:  its only real flaw in my opinion, and a reason that eventually I will buy an updated Guzzi.  I am waiting to see what is to revealed next.

thanks!

[jbhotchkiss]

Like your signature - Mom used to say ""he's not stupid, just a little slow..."

[rodekyll]

ABS is wonderful, but it's not new.  My 2ls Ambassador do that.  (rim shot sound effect)

Seriously though -- anything that helps you avoid having "A bad day" as my dirt track-racing roommate called it -- is a good thing.

[sib]

We'll eventually hear from (name withheld) about how real riders don't need no stinkin' ABS and that having ABS will diminish your riding skills.  Selling my '13 V7 and getting a '16 V7II with ABS was the best decision I've made in a long time.  My riding skills have actually improved, and I certainly enjoy riding more now, because there's one less thing I have to worry about.

[MGPilot]

Glad it was there when you could use it. Made a big difference in your day....and probably the coming weeks as well.

It's one of those things that it's easy to forget about....to consider whether you really need it or not....but then there are those moments.....

In the Oct. Road & Track, p. 30, Peter Egan writes about buying an older Miata from a friend whose new girlfriend won't ride in a car that doesn't have a passenger-side airbag.  Egan writes, "When Barb [his wife] and I were dating in college, I courted her in a Triumph TR3 that had military-surplus lap belts bolted to a lacy sheet of rust we called "the floor." My idea of safety was to use big washers on the seatbelt anchors. Women were made of sterner stuff in those days. At least those who survived were."

Got a good laugh. I distinctly remember using slightly larger washers on some seriously minimalist seat belts in an old MG, thinking that I was a lot more safety-conscious than some of my peers.

Yep. ABS is just fine with me.

[zedXmick]

Yeah...ABS  is great!