ABS Question

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mimico_polak

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Hey all, just had a quick question about riding a bike with ABS….this CB500F is my first ABS bike and frankly I’m a little concerned about the ABS system. To me it seems like the ABS kicks in way earlier than it should. Comparing to my 250 (lighter, narrower tires) it seems that the ABS doesn’t even allow for much dive or much braking force before it kicks in. I can feel it pulsating through the front wheel, not to the point of intrusive, but can definitely feel it pulsating through the system. I mash the brakes, the bike dives a bit, and then the pulsation starts. Not sure how else to describe it in better detail. This is riding on regular road pavement, clean road withno debris on it.

Is this something normal? Does ABS typically kick in early? Any adjustments available? I don’t want to disconnect it and it may all just be normal working characteristics but wanted to get some feedback from some of the people here with ABS.
 
I would say that any time you "mash" the brakes the ABS should start. I never activated it on my CBR250RA but I did once on my CB500X--and at a level of braking I am sure I reached on the 250. So the ABS on the 500 series might kick in earlier. When it did activate on the 500 I felt very stable with no danger of skidding or falling, and was really grateful that I had it (driver turned wrong way, driving at me, in my lane). However, I was annoyed that I had to apply the brakes so hard as the bike was new and the pads were still bedding in.
 
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What you describe sounds normal to me (Triumph Tiger 800xc). I had the opportunity to test my abs (mine can be disabled) during a RTI skills day last year. I would say ABS makes the bike much more stable and easier to control under heavy braking. Some purists will cringe when I say, you don't have to think about it - but that leaves you much better focused to think about where you need to be going to be safe (you're under heavy braking for a reason, right?) Just remember that once you feel the pulsing of the abs pull as hard as you can from that point on - feathering the abs system dramatically increases stopping distance. When it's engaged, make it sure it's fully engaged!
 
I also have a cb500x, and i tested them a few hundred kms in. I actually had to do 2-3 pulls because i didnt realize at first how hard i had to press the brake before it actually engaged. I don't have any way to compare it...but it felt pretty stable.
 
Bike has about 5k on it so don't think it's the new brakes that would cause anything like it. Might be normal as you say but just worried me as I don't 'feel' I'm getting full braking power from it. Could just be a sensation. Bike feels very stable under heavy braking and definitely dives less than the 250, but that had diff tire, suspension, weight, etc.
 
How hard are mashing that front brake. If the ABS is kicking in you are hitting that brake pretty hard and fast to be causing the front wheel to lock up and activate the ABS. Never mash just progressively apply the front brake.
 
as soon as the wheel speed sensors detect any difference between the front and rear wheels it will kick in.
I have a friend who makes the exact same complaint and description as you, though on an SV650SA.
 
I don't believe suspension dive is something your bike measures or takes into consideration when ABS is modulating the brakes. Not all ABS is equal, and it can be a lot more conservative on some bikes than others. Pretty much the only thing you can control/check is that the condition and pressure of the front and back tires are the same
 
taximan62 said:
How hard are mashing that front brake. If the ABS is kicking in you are hitting that brake pretty hard and fast to be causing the front wheel to lock up and activate the ABS. Never mash just progressively apply the front brake.
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It might be locking up the rear as the brakes are linked. I find it pretty hard to believe that they're locking up the front under the described conditions
 
Agree with above. I have a CB1100 with the same c-abs and you have to grab a ton of front brake to actually make the system engage. If you say you're mashing the brakes, I'm guessing you're locking the back brake (as mentioned above). The system will flash codes through the ABS light if something is wrong with the sensors or servos etc..., so barring that there isn't much to check.
 
Have a 2014 500 as well first abs bike and it requires a lot to activate it. I did this thru a controlled environment at an advanced riding course. The only time it felt like it kicked in is when we had to suddendly brake through a pile of sand in the parking lot. My previous bikes were 675 and a 250 with no abs so I have nothing to compare it to.
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