1993 ABS vs blue spot evaluation

[Pat Conlon]

Paul Lawson and I made a run to Forth Worth, Texas to pick up a '93 ABS model that was for sale. We did a quick turnaround, due to a storm front moving into the reigon (sorry David). We left Palm Desert last Friday at 3 pm traveled 1,300 miles arrived at Forth Worth 1pm on Saturday, picked up the bike, got on the road at 3pm and returned to the desert 3pm on Sunday....hauled ass getting there, drove 65mph with the trailer coming back...anyhoo..

I now have evaluated a '93 FJ1200 ABS brake system vs the R-1 blue spots that I have on my '92 (w/Spiegler lines, FZ-1 14mm m/c and EBC HH pads)
The ABS bike had good pads but oem rubber lines and was, from what I could tell, operating normally. Regardless, I bled the ABS with fresh DOT 4.

I noticed right away the ABS system has a soft mushy feel at the lever and when activated, intercedes too early. Well short of lock up threshold.
Question:  What's with the rear brake pedal? When the front abs is activated the rear brake pedal drops...WTF? Don't they want you to use both front and back brakes together?

There is no comparison between the systems,. *On a dry road* I can stop consistently faster, in a shorter distance with the R-1 brakes with much, much better feel at the lever. On a wet road who knows?

Now I know, first hand...no 2nd hand guessing.  Conclusion: The ABS is coming off the '93.   Any one need any ABS parts? Ron?

[ZOA NOM]

Ditched mine for precisely the same reasons. Don't look back.

[Capn Ron]

There is no comparison between the systems,. *On a dry road* I can stop consistently faster, in a shorter distance with the R-1 brakes with much, much better feel at the lever. On a wet road who knows?

Now I know, first hand...no 2nd hand guessing.  Conclusion: The ABS is coming off the '93.   Any one need any ABS parts? Ron?

Yeah, that lever feel is a lot different than a good non-ABS setup and it's nice you came to your own first-hand conclusion!  I don't really *need* ABS parts, so if you can sell them somewhere, you should.  If you're going to chuck them in the bin...I'd happily put them in my "spares" pile in case of future failures!   

[MOTOMYSZOR]

I will join the club tomorrow

That I collected today:
-pair 2012 FZ8 gold dot callipers
-braided brake lines.

[FJmonkey]

I will join the club tomorrow

That I collected today:
-pair 2012 FZ8 gold dot callipers
-braided brake lines.

Looks like you found Gold...

[Steve_in_Florida]

You will love the difference the dots and lines make. Not to mention the mirrors, too.

Steve

[Capn Ron]

Not to mention the mirrors, too.

Steve

But you *just* mentioned them!   

Yeah, hard to quantify the "best" mod I've done to the '92, but CBR mirrors are hands-down a HUGE improvement in safety!   

[Pat Conlon]

Yes they are indeed!  ...and the difference in the optics between the aftermarket and the true oem Honda mirrors is night and day.

The only thing I can figure out about the Yamaha FJ oem mirrors is that folks must be smaller in the JDM.

[Steve_in_Florida]

One of my many projects is to transition from my daily rider ABS `92 to a Non-ABS `92 I picked up last year. Right now, it's a rolling chassis, but a couple of weekends should remedy that.

I thought about making the blue dot upgrade to the ABS bike, but after reading an EXPERT opinion, I'll just switch to the other frame.

It's all about weight savings and performance, right?

Steve

[Pat Conlon]

Steve, please don't construe my opinion as EXPERT.  I just (now) know what I know.

I am not an expert.

[Steve_in_Florida]

Steve, please don't construe my opinion as EXPERT.  I just (now) know what I know.

I am not an expert.

Pat, you're so humble!

Honestly, I've never been that impressed with the ABS brakes. The acquisition of the `90 with blue dots earlier this year confirmed it, and your unbiased evaluation was the tipping point in my decision.

Back in Germany in the `90's, the "typical" upgrade to the ABS bikes (I'd heard) was REMOVAL of the ABS pump and associated hoses/relays/wiring/etc. All in the name of weight savings and conventional brakes.

Anyway...   

Steve

[Pat Conlon]

Steve, here is an interesting read:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fj1200%2093.htm