ABS on a GSXR Rear Wheel?

[David Allaband]

Hello all. Yes, I'm still in the middle of the GSXR rear wheel swap. Today's problem, the ABS system. I have to remove the ABS sensor for the rear wheel when I swap over to the GSXR wheel. What will this do to my breaks? Has anyone done the GSXR rear wheel swap on an ABS bike?

Yes, yes, yes, I understand that I should switch out the front wheel and eliminate the ABS but that's obviously not happening today so it's a moot point. If I had the money and parts it would already be done.

I'm thinking maybe the ABS will work on front but ignore the back wheel? Or the ABS will always think the back wheel needs attention? Or will the whole system just shut off? I think the ABS system compares the speed of the two wheels so the system will think there is always a problem and be constantly activated?

[aviationfred]

David,

I have seen on here where members have de-activated the ABS system all together. I searched the 'Files' section and could not find anything on what the procedure is. Maybe someone will see this that has done the mod will give you some direction.

Fred

[jscgdunn]

ABSectomey: Simply remove all the parts and tape up the terminals.  Run the brake lines as normal.

[RichBaker]

With the front not working, the ABS comp will think there is a problem, and it will be correct.... Delete ALL the ABS hardware, or go back to stock wheels.

[Bminder]

Not to hijack this thread (not too badly at least), so is the ABS system worth keeping on a stock bike? Does it help or hinder?
The other day the streets were wet and I got on the rear brake hard to see what it did, and the ABS kicked on, so mine seems to be working.

[David Allaband]

I'm wondering the same thing Bminder. From what I can tell riders are still unconvinced by ABS. From scientific research I seem to see that ABS is better for wet/loose terrain but worse for corners and evasive steering. As for our FJs I think the consensus is something like, it's an early system that is now very old and normal brakes are better.

But I think this is all something like a Ford VS Chevy argument.

I wish there were more people on this list with ABS experience, it's hard to get an informed or solid answer on anything ABS. Not to say I'm not grateful for the advice given! All voices are welcome! Thanks!

[ribbert]

I'm wondering the same thing Bminder. From what I can tell riders are still unconvinced by ABS. From scientific research I seem to see that ABS is better for wet/loose terrain but worse for corners and evasive steering. As for our FJs I think the consensus is something like, it's an early system that is now very old and normal brakes are better.

But I think this is all something like a Ford VS Chevy argument.

I wish there were more people on this list with ABS experience, it's hard to get an informed or solid answer on anything ABS. Not to say I'm not grateful for the advice given! All voices are welcome! Thanks!

Yes, there appears to be universal agreement the FJ ABS is better disconnected.

Modern ABS however is brilliant. I regularly ride a bike with it and while never having had occasion to use it in anger, I do play with it sometimes because I just can't believe how good it is.
Having to overcome a 40+ year fear of front wheel lock ups, it took me 4 goes before I could bring myself to just grab the lever hard at 160k's in the wet. The grip from the modern front tyre was also unbelievable, It was not a long way off dry road braking.

The most efficient braking is actually just short of the ABS kicking in but not by much. It also enables you to find that point without risking a lock up and practice it, handy when getting back on one without it. In an all out emergency it lets you just grab a handful and still stop way shorter that you would without it.

There are still a few macho dinosaurs out there that will tell you they can out ride it, tell you horror stories (rarely first hand) about the brakes releasing when the back wheel hits a bump or lifts (this only happens with linked brakes) and that not having it has saved their life.

I spoke to an experienced rider who proudly told me he had it disconnected on his last few bikes and this had saved him from serious accidents 3 times. His rationale for this was it enabled him to lock the back wheel and drop the bike thereby stopping short of the whatever he was about to hit. Everybody, except him obviously, knows the fastest way to stop a bike is on it's wheels with brakes. I did not pursue the conversation.

Under controlled conditions and a perfect surface a non equipped bike ridden by someone who knows exactly their max braking point, the stopping distance will be about the same. The chances of an emergency stop under these conditions is about nil.

Imagine a scenario where you are barrelling down the open road at speed and an emergency unfolds right in front of you. You grab the brakes (ABS) full on, the road is dry bitumen, a split second later you hit water running across the cambered road, then a patch of diesel, then course aggregate (marbles) fallen from a truck, then the oil spill, then the backfilled trench, then a pine cone, then gravel on the verge as you steer off the edge of the road, then mud, then wet grass, then you stop, in the shortest possible distance - upright, still with lever pulled in hard, and you hadn't seen any of the hazards because it was night time! That's ABS.

ABS equipped bikes in any numbers are relatively recent and statistics on them just surfacing. Insurance and govt accident research data now being published suggests that ABS equipped bikes are nearly 40% less represented in certain types of accidents, presumably ones where bikes run into things under brakes.
The same sources also suggest that 80% of accidents where bikes run into things could have stopped short of impact if they had used the maximum braking their bike was capable of. I absolutely believe that.

Forget the naysayers telling you it is the work of the Devil and 'real men' don't need it. These are the same guys that told you full face helmets will snap your head off, single front discs pull under brakes and microwave ovens will fry your nuts.

Forget scientific research in this case, ABS, in the real world, will save your arse every time.

ABS is the only thing a modern bike has over the FJ that I wish I had.

I didn't think there were two schools of thought on this anymore, I thought we have moved beyond that.

Noel