Dumping abs

[Huzo]

Can anyone tell me reliably if it's possible to disconnect and remove the abs from my '07 Norge. I've had a couple of instances where I needed to stop in the rain (and could have) but the abs said no and I was forced to use an avoiding tactic. Also I notice that when braking firmly, the rear abs will sometimes begin to activate due to the unloading of the rear wheel and consequent commencement of lock up, I'll accept what comes from having no abs, but am clueless as to the repercussions with regard to what the on board computer will think, and I sure as hell don't want to introduce an unwanted issue into the "brain" of the bike after 100,000 km. Thanks, Huzo.

[pete roper]

I didn't think the 2007 had ABS? If yours does, that's what the button on the LH fairing panel that says 'ABS' does.

Pete

[Zoom Zoom]

Pete, they '07's do in fact have ABS, and the button you describe is there.


John Henry

[Huzo]

Yes thanks Pete for your reply, as you say it will disable the abs, but a yellow flashing light stays on and the abs will re set to "on" when you next start up. I'd love to get the hardware off to lighten and simplify the whole thing a bit more, I still maintain that I could stop the bike in the rain shorter without abs than with, although I'm sure you've done cosmetic repairs on bikes whose owners have thought the same thing, but I'll take my chances if I can. Huzo.

[charlie b]

I am way careful on wet roads out here.  There is not much rain so when there is, all that s*** floats up to the surface and it is slick as ice.  I slipped and fell in a parking lot as I was getting off the bike one day cause of that oily water mix.  And I've had my boots slip on the stuff at intersections.  I only point this out cause the ABS may have been doing you a favor.

I'd love to have ABS on my bike.

[pete roper]

Problem is that even if you do remove all the hardware the ECU will see it's missing and you'll get a service warning on the dash. You might be able to load up a pre-ABS map to avoid the problem but I doubt it as my guess is that the interface between dash and ECU would still create an issue.

Pete

[Huzo]

Ok Pete, given that that's your word on the matter I'll leave well alone. It's way beyond me to cope with electronic issues so best I don't mess around with it, thanks. Huzo.

[atavar]

Isn't there an ABS fuse that can be pulled?

[Huzo]

There probably is, but I was keen to get rid of the hardware more than anything

[Idontwantapickle]

There probably is, but I was keen to get rid of the hardware more than anything

It may not matter to you but if you remove the ABS hardware you will most likely take a hit on resale value. If it can be disabled and left in place that would solve that since it would be easily reversed.
Just a thought.
Hunter

[atavar]

and I suspect the performance impact from removing the hardware will be <0.1%
I do agree with the OP though, I can absolutely stop faster without ABS, maybe not as straight, but faster.

[Idontwantapickle]

and I suspect the performance impact from removing the hardware will be <0.1%
I do agree with the OP though, I can absolutely stop faster without ABS, maybe not as straight, but faster.

Agreed.
On dry pavement a reasonably skilled driver can out stop ABS. Cars with ABS remain steerable (mostly) while stopping hard. Bikes probably not so much.
I have yet to trigger the front ABS on my Norge. I suppose that's a good thing! I have intentionally stopped very hard and still not overcome the tire but I have not tempted that particular fate in the rain.
One thing for sure: if you aren't packing a cool head and probably a lot of dirt bike time, a locked front wheel on the street gets you a mean smack on the ground.
That's not fun.
Be safe! ABS or not.
Hunter

[tazio]

Unplanned, hit the brakes NOW! scenarios.
Give me ABS most every time. (and as mentioned, the issue of resale value)

[Gliderjohn]

Give me ABS. I know that I do not practice enough in all conditions to brake better than the ABS.
GliderJohn

[Ion66]

My question would be..... How old and in what shape are the tires? Having worked in the bike business in years past, I've seen lots of worn tires that people swore were fine, and tires that looked Ok, but were past the date where you'd get good wet weather performance. If the ABS is kicking in, it's generally because it's sensing slip. On my own 08 Breva, I've got original tires, with 2k miles on them. Like new, but I can tell you, while they grip OK in the dry, I'm not testing them out on wet, greasy roads. Some Michelin Pilot Road 4's would likely be my pic when these are worn a bit. My suggestion, unless the rubber is new, is to fit a set of new tires, especially the front, and give the ABS a chance. If it's still kicking in too early, then maybe look at alternatives.

[jacksonracingcomau]

There probably is, but I was keen to get rid of the hardware more than anything

why not try pulling fuse, gaffa tape over warning light, see if it all works without confusing the ECU ?
Then pull the hardware, plumb as normal, lighter, roomier and stopping problem  fixed
I'm with you 100%, like auto g/boxes or auto anything I like to ride, not some boffin with a desk
Had to lock front wheel on gravel many times (walking speed) to stop before time, rear wheel when I feel like it. Never locked wheel in error

[Huzo]

Although some of the opinions are a bit different than mine I can't say anything is wrong with the above points, but I'm not chasing performance or I'd buy a Hyabusa and close that book forever. I just like the thought of not having whatever kilograms of stuff on the bike that I don't want, after all, I wouldn't strap 5 kg of lead to the back seat and carry it around even though the performance difference would be minimal. Pete's point is the one that I needed to hear given that I'm not able to undo any problem that I may create by messing around with the electronics.

[Huzo]

It may not matter to you but if you remove the ABS hardware you will most likely take a hit on resale value. If it can be disabled and left in place that would solve that since it would be easily reversed.
Just a thought.
Hunter

The bike will NEVER be for sale, book value is around AUD $6,000 'cos although well maintained and cosmetically very good, it's done over 100,000

[redrider]

I have managed to survive over 40 years without ABS. Two tip overs in the rain at the stop point and no injuries ('76 and '83). The idiot cagers around me though are another issue. They remain, wet or dry.

I have several hundred students per year and what strikes me is the collective lack of mechanical awareness and aptitude. The phrase "dumb it down" seems appropriate.

As an Instructor, every day is practice.

[Noguzznoglory]

Why not just hardwire what the switch does. I'd conduct a braking test with and without the abs to prove I could outbrake the abs. I'm pretty sure I can beat abs in a car but not so sure I can do it on a bike

[lucydad]

Huzo,

Wish we could transplant your ABS to my V7R.  A key reason I want a new V9:  modern brakes and frequent wet riding in Houston area.

[Arizona Wayne]

I have managed to survive over 40 years without ABS. Two tip overs in the rain at the stop point and no injuries ('76 and '83). The idiot cagers around me though are another issue. They remain, wet or dry.

I have several hundred students per year and what strikes me is the collective lack of mechanical awareness and aptitude. The phrase "dumb it down" seems appropriate.

As an Instructor, every day is practice.

+1     It's been proven time and again ABS causes you to take more feet to stop.  If you know how to ride good you don't need ABS.  If your skills aren't that great, ABS might help you.

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from AZ:  Well the quote box in not working so will do it the old fashioned way.
"+1     It's been proven time and again ABS causes you to take more feet to stop.  If you know how to ride good you don't need ABS.  If your skills aren't that great, ABS might help you."

I will say that in controlled conditions when you are anticipating a quick hard practice stop I may be able to match or do better than the ABS but on the street where it is going to be a surprise panic stop I still seriously doubt that I could or most riders could out stop ABS. Now add poor road conditions and I would argue almost no one could consistently out brake ABS.
GliderJohn

[Arizona Wayne]

Quote from AZ:  Well the quote box in not working so will do it the old fashioned way.
"+1     It's been proven time and again ABS causes you to take more feet to stop.  If you know how to ride good you don't need ABS.  If your skills aren't that great, ABS might help you."

I will say that in controlled conditions when you are anticipating a quick hard practice stop I may be able to match or do better than the ABS but on the street where it is going to be a surprise panic stop I still seriously doubt that I could or most riders could out stop ABS. Now add poor road conditions and I would argue almost no one could consistently out brake ABS.
GliderJohn

Go ahead and doubt, John, then read from a person who has tested both ways and see the results for yourself.

I've had the same thing happen on my `89 Dodge PU with ABS.  I  would outbrake it every time.   Drove me nuts 'till it was disconnected.

[v65tt]

its going to be fairly easy to remove... would suspect a set of new hoses from the master cylinders to the callipers would bypass is and allow removal of the pump etc.  Worse case you may need to juggle master cylinder sizes to get the right brake pressure / feel


more complicated is if its legal to remove and if you could insure it after removing?

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from AZ:
"Go ahead and doubt, John, then read from a person who has tested both ways and see the results for yourself.

I've had the same thing happen on my `89 Dodge PU with ABS.  I  would outbrake it every time.   Drove me nuts 'till it was disconnected."

How does one test this without the testing being done in controlled conditions, not street conditions?
Second, panic braking a four wheels vehicle is a whole lot different and easier than panic braking a bike.
GliderJohn

[rodekyll]

Although some of the opinions are a bit different than mine I can't say anything is wrong with the above points, but I'm not chasing performance or I'd buy a Hyabusa and close that book forever. I just like the thought of not having whatever kilograms of stuff on the bike that I don't want, after all, I wouldn't strap 5 kg of lead to the back seat and carry it around even though the performance difference would be minimal. Pete's point is the one that I needed to hear given that I'm not able to undo any problem that I may create by messing around with the electronics.

How much does the hardware weigh?

Also -- if your vehicle comes with abs and the post-crash investigation shows that you tampered with it, you're screwed.

[sib]

This is a troll thread.  If someone doesn't know enough about his motorcycle to know how to disable the ABS, then he doesn't know enough to discern whether it's stopping the bike faster or slower.  It's his dumb on display.  Please don't feed

[charlie b]

I think he is asking a very appropriate question for someone with a LOT of experience on many different road surfaces.  Ex racers and such.

Me?  I only have a bit over 100k on bikes total and 99.99% of that is in the desert SW so wet braking is a novelty to me.  I KNOW I cannot outbrake an ABS system on a bike.  Maybe, just maybe, if the road is nice and clean and I have some warning about it I could manage a stop faster.  But, add water or oil or sand and I am screwed if there is a panic situation.  And, yes, I do practice hard stops a lot.  I also know that means squat when it comes to a panic stop.

[Huzo]

This is a troll thread.  If someone doesn't know enough about his motorcycle to know how to disable the ABS, then he doesn't know enough to discern whether it's stopping the bike faster or slower.  It's his dumb on display.  Please don't feed

No it's not a troll thread sib, you don't need to get an argument started. I do know how to disable the abs, what I wanted to know, and was answered early in the thread was.... Can the abs be removed without causing a drama with the electronic brain of the bike. I also never raised the topic of whether I could stop it faster or slower, when did I ask about that ? And it wouldn't be my "dumb" on display, it would be my "dumbness". You're the first one to start a slanging match here, so who's the troll ? All I needed was to hear from Pete Roper and as far as I'm concerned it could have finished there. Now Dusty tell me, did I start that one ?