ABS as an aftermarket add on?

Submitted by ev1ru2 on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 14:42
in

I am interested in getting 250 cruiser as it'll be my first bike and I'm wondering if after market ABS is possible for motorcycles?

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ABS

Matt's picture
Submitted by Matt on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 18:27.

ABS is usually a very integrated thing. It requires sensors, actuators, and a control computer... I have never heard of an aftermarket ABS system for either bike or car.

On a 250 cruiser, I wouldn't worry about need ABS.
If you take the MSF course they teach you how to threshold brake. If you plan to use the bike every day, rain or shine, then ABS has merrits (though how much merrit on a 250 is up for debate). If you only ride in good weather, or on roads an hour after the rain starts (to wash away the layer of oil on the rod surface) you should never be in a position where ABS would even be an issue. If you ride in the rain a lot, then you need to give yourself more time to stop...

I guess I'm saying, take the money you would have spent improving your bike, and use it to improve the most important part of the bike (you). Then ride carefully (lots of braking distance) in situations where you are afraid your wheels might lock.

just my opinion

---
"The two seconds between 'Oh S**!' and the crash isn't a lot of practice time."

ABS

Submitted by ev1ru2 on Wed, 04/09/2008 - 07:50.

Thanks for the insights. I do plan on being an everyday rider and I'm not worried about giving myself enough stopping distance, I'm worried about drivers jumping into my stopping distance as they try to cut through traffic. I currently drive on Hwys 217 and 26 in Oregon to get to work and near collisions with screeching tires, blaring horns and rude gestures are an almost daily sight and it's due to drivers in a hurry.

I did see aftermarket ABS being added to a car in one of the Discovery Channel's hot-rod shows, which is why I asked about it for bikes.

Cars and bikes = not the

Kickprivate's picture
Submitted by Kickprivate on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 20:12.

Cars and bikes = not the same thing.

As mentioned, very integrated. Would even venture to say, model specific. But I know very little about ABS.

~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick

~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick

ABS

Submitted by wishpool on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 21:59.

If you're dead set on ABS there are a couple beginner friendly bikes out there on the market with it as an option. Very few though. (Suzuki SV560 or BMW G 650 Xcountry) They're bigger displacement and more expensive. Perhaps more than most sane people would ever want to spend on their 1st bike. Depending on what your speed is on the highways you travel you may want something slightly bigger than a 250 cruiser anyhow. Just a thought.