Rain and ABS

Okay my new toy arrived this afternoon 2017 CB-F with ABS and I spent 20 minutes admiring it outside while getting soaked to the skin. Didn't take it out as weather became monsoon like and I've decided to become more of a fair weather rider. The rain got me thinking, although I've not ridden a bike for a while (I clocked over 150 000 miles when I was younger on various bikes from 50cc to 750cc) all of my old bikes didn't have ABS, Should I be more aware on a bike with ABS or is it as passive as it is on cars. Also does it affect trail braking which I'm keen to try once a bit more used to it. I'm aware how ABS works as my cars have it, but I don't ever notice it unless emergency braking.

I've a cbr650r with ABS. I can trigger the rear ABS no problem and theres a fair bit of feedback. The front takes a bit of effort but I found that is not as violent as in a car, you can barely feel it, a slight rumble in the handle bars is what you can feel. I assume it's made that way so it does not affect your control in an emergency situation? You would really have to grab a fist full of brake to engage it I dont think it's something you will be setting off by accident while cruising. It takes effort!

Wont affect normal trailbraking which is supposed to be smooth and progressive.

Thanks, that gives me a bit more confidence

It works exactly as your car, if you don’t trigger it, you’d never know it was there.

Been out now and as said could trigger the rear easily, not brave enough on the front yet

Young Mark said:

not brave enough on the front yet

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I wouldn’t, no reason to try, that operation isn’t as easy to do and you can still go down. If you get into a situation where it activates, you’ll know; I’ve had ABS on a couple bikes since 2016 and triggered it 1 time stopping on a sandy patch in the road on the Sprint. Wasn’t a big deal, and without ABS I would have been fine but once I felt it I knew.

As far as your trail braking question earlier, it will not affect trail braking, at least not if you’re doing it correctly.

miweber929 said:

I wouldn’t, no reason to try, that operation isn’t as easy to do and you can still go down. If you get into a situation where it activates, you’ll know; I’ve had ABS on a couple bikes since 2016 and triggered it 1 time stopping on a sandy patch in the road on the Sprint. Wasn’t a big deal, and without ABS I would have been fine but once I felt it I knew.

As far as your trail braking question earlier, it will not affect trail braking, at least not if you’re doing it correctly.

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thanks I’ll treat the front with the respect it deserves

That's a good way to stay on a motorcycle.

J

I did a training course in on my cb650r in the pouring rain recently. Lots of emergency stops, braking in corners and the like. The ABS is very unobtrusive in the front and will only trigger when you really need it. The rear is a bit choppy and can cause the bike to fishtail a bit, but then again so will locking up the rear.
It can get slightly more violent if you're really pushing it, I did a very hard panic-type stop that caused the front wheel to deflect sideways and gave me a good wobble towards the end of the braking. It's not a hyper-sophisticated cornering ABS like you get on fancier bikes, but it works well and won't bother you in any way.

irsidewinder said:

I did a training course in on my cb650r in the pouring rain recently. Lots of emergency stops, braking in corners and the like. The ABS is very unobtrusive in the front and will only trigger when you really need it. The rear is a bit choppy and can cause the bike to fishtail a bit, but then again so will locking up the rear.
It can get slightly more violent if you're really pushing it, I did a very hard panic-type stop that caused the front wheel to deflect sideways and gave me a good wobble towards the end of the braking. It's not a hyper-sophisticated cornering ABS like you get on fancier bikes, but it works well and won't bother you in any way.

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Thanks great information, I'm still getting used to the bike and as you say the ABS isn't hyper-sophisticated but works. I'll think I'll just get on riding and quit worrying about it.