MCN Roadtest: Technical Analysis of Honda CBR1000RR ABS system

[bluerider125]

If you're up for a wild and life threatening ride, consider purchasing this motorcycle. If you are a current owner and are experiencing issues with your C-ABS equipped CBR1000RR, PLEASE MESSAGE ME. For more info, search "ABS FAILURE!!!?" on the 1000RRdotNET forums.

[bluerider125]

If you're up for a wild and life threatening ride, consider purchasing this motorcycle. If you are a current owner and are experiencing issues with your C-ABS equipped CBR1000RR, PLEASE MESSAGE ME. For more info, search "ABS FAILURE!!!?" on the 1000RRdotNET forums.

[brocktodd]

I have a 2009 w/ABS and it's amazing.

[bhch79]

I have a simple question. Please answer it only when you know the answer correctly.

This may affect my decision to go for a ABS Cbr bike. The question is when I press the front or rear brake lever on an ABS version do I feel the same feedback from the tyre of a non-ABS bike before the point I lock any of the tire up?

In other words, can I assume there is no difference in feeling when I brake on a ABS or a non-ABS byke till the point any of the tire is locked up? Thanks in advance.

[brocktodd]

@bhch79 not exactly the same feeling. if you're used to braking until you feel the tires beginning to lose grip, you won't get that same feeling. However, you can consistently brake harder without risk of losing traction and going down. Very impressive. Find one and test ride it, you'll probably stay with it.

[bhch79]

@brocktodd So basically you are saying that there is no feedback in the brake lever even before a tire locks

up in an ABS bike. Is that correct?

I do get a feedback feeling in a non-ABS bike, though, which increases with braking force. It's actually the resistance (the REACTION to the braking ACTION) from the brakes.

[brocktodd]

@bhch79 Lever feedback is normal. You just can't lock it up. The linked braking affects overall feel more than the ABS; that's not a "braking feeling" more of a attitude. The front doesn't seem to dive as hard since you're also getting some rear brake to counter balance. You should test ride one, the ABS feel is not like the previous generation ABS. 

[bhch79]

@brocktodd Thanks for the explanations!

[chevydragboy]

whats abs???

[aaronc608]

good video!

[SoCaL323aReA]

wow ppl really dnt like they idea of help from a computer to save ur life...is that arrogant or what?? i dunno i just find it funny when the seasoned veteran whos been ridin bikes since 10yrs old end up lookin like my grilled cheese sandwhich w/ bologna...whats the excuse then..uhhhh im better than ABS sike aahahahahaha thats my favorite part

[valakin]

I believe it to be a pretty nice system. However, with any system, when it stops working, it can be twice as dangerous as if it was never there.

[LifeEssenz]

thats why there is an special lamp in your cockpit, thats start blinking, when something is wrong with the abs.

The breaks than works normally, but without the help of the computer.

but, you should repair that. ^^

[brocktodd]

@valakin Actually, not true. Failure mode is to default back to a standar linked mode with a warning light telling you that ABS is out.

I have a 2009 w/ABS.

[brocktodd]

@valakin

Actually, not true. Failure mode is to default back to a standar linked mode with a warning light telling you that ABS is out.

I have a 2009 w/ABS.

[prorobo]

Excellent explanation and video in general! Thank you!

[gaursaheb]

bike is looking very sexy.

[maurovolk1]

does someone know how fast can this bike go?

[valleyfever]

what I've read, 186 mph

[yotozme]

Most people bragg that they have gotten the speedometer pin over 190, Ive tested this bike on a track in germany and it did 183 on full throttle power. 183 is the fastest this bike is good for.

[kniefi]

you CAN actually turn it off with a simple trick, just loosen 3screws that hold the little ABS sensor rings on the frontwheel and rearwheel and take it off, voilà thee you go with the conventional brakes, if you wanna go for a track day and think you can brake better or feel more comfortable with only 1 brake braking when pulling the front lever...

[gangstakurt]

I think the solution to all of these driver aids is to have a on/off switch, that way people who dont like them can turn them off and people like me who buy the bikes 15 years later don't have to try and source expensive parts to get complicated components working again.

[HuffPCair]

Dude that is why they offer one with and one without. For the people that want it and for the people that dont. Plus for the people that dont they get to save a few bucks instead of wasting that money on something you are not wanting on the bike. It is smart in my opinion

[euheide]

Oh, and the track asphalt has so much grip, it will wear a tyre in less than a day, so any talent you think you have braking on a track, it's worthless in the street.

[euheide]

On the track you settle in for the turn, and have lots of time to adjust the braking, that's where the ABS is not needed. But, if you get it wrong you have the gravel and protections instead of rails, and most importantly, no oncoming cars trucks. You just have to tell the difference between the two and understand why this system is needed for the street.

[euheide]

Although they resemble track bikes, all 1000 bikes were made for street use. And anyone who thinks he can brake better than this system in an emergency or surprise braking on the street or wet, is dead wrong (maybe literally). It's great to enjoy the raw power of these beasts but one of their greatest flaws has just been addressed here. They now use 100 percent use of their tremendous braking power in any occasion. But any rider who buys the bike for track use only still has the standard model.

[euheide]

I have the 2008 model and I wish I could install this system on my bike. Fuck pure skill, I also ride on track ocasionally, but mostly on the street. I want to be able to brake the most I can when I'm riding in the wet for example..., or when a jackass suddenly cuts in front of me. Talent doesn't have a place in situations like that. It's a split second you have to slam on the brake and that's it... Thanks Honda and congratulations for the courage to implement this system on a superbike!

[joonsuk88]

timHYPERLITE: "avridge" LoL

[inagod]

abs is the shit,don't leave home without it,it works far better then our little brains.

[tefatheman]

fuck that

[JSSV]

Fuck you, not that

[timHYPERLITE]

finally a device to stop people riding like twats IE no more endos.

next job for honda is active throtle control and say goodbye to wheelies and burnouts.

whatever the avridge rossi-wannabe says(im better than a computer at braking )IT WILL SAVE LIVES

[Jasamizsrbije2]

Fuck yeah. We ride it we control it. Not a fucken computer.

[JSSV]

Well you can enjoy crashing in to the side of a car thats just pulled out infront of you whilst your doing 70mph and I'll miss the car but get a severe shock thanks to the ABS system. Ohh and by the way, It's "Fucking" not, "fucken"

[GerwinChita]

What the story fails to explain, is how it detects a locking wheel. In a car this is relatively easy, because usually, one wheels will lock first, and this will be detected as locking because one wheel is slower than the other 3. But with 2 wheels, this is not so easy. How do they do that?

[aluisious]

Among other things, I believe it looks for abnormal wheel acceleration. If your wheel is accelerating at a different rate than the engine there's something not right going on.

[euheide]

The system detects the difference between the speed of the bike and the rotation of the wheels I think, and always keeps it proportional. This proportion keeps the wheels from locking (this would happen if the wheels would try to go too slow for the speed of the bike (it's all calculations). This system that acts before the wheels lock already existed more than a year ago in some BMW bikes although they also have stability control. Search in webbikeworld website a BMW stability-control article

[stevenv1992]

The danger is, it may give some riders a false sense of security. ie they can ride carelessly and the electronics will save them!

[69dundee]

It acts just the same as a normal Blade, so you can still fall off. This system is just going to save you in an emergency if a car pulls out on you, or similar...

[Reverendwyotech]

FUCKING! RUBISH! I don't like the idea of electronics between me and the machine! Riding a motorcycle for myself is about feel. A direct conection of my inputs straight through machine to the ground! I'll let the tingle in the back of my neck be the judge of too much. Playing nintendo wii is fun, It is however no replacement for the real thing.

[69dundee]

You still get the same feel as the standard Blade, it's no different. The electronics only kick in the moment it all starts to go wrong, at the very last moment.

[aluisious]

...then don't buy it.

[postie2003]

I couldn't agree more. Not only that, but I wonder how such sophisticated electronics will cope with five years of rain, temperature extremes, vibration, road salt and all the other things that bike electrics get subjected to.

[gdritchie]

its a Honda it will be fine in 10 years never mind about 5

[confusedsay]

Reeves, I think you should test the system. Bring it to me, and I'll test it, how are we going to know it works?

[mongoose301]

every time you brake on track i'd say that was classed as an emergency stop? surely this system would give almost no feedback in a racing situation then??

[EmoWizard]

what if a car pulls out infront of u and the pump fails your fucked o.O

[pseudogeek]

if any type of brake system fails your pretty much fucked...and i would much rather be slamming on an ABS braking system than flipping over the handlebars with normal brakes

[EmoWizard]

good point

[gengiz]

totally agree if it decides to shit itself your truly screwd and knowing that every time you go out for a ride would be very freaky,but ive never heard of abs on a car failing totally so who knows

[69dundee]

If the ABS system fails, the brakes go back to working like a conventional system, with a direct link from lever to caliper. So no worries there.

[guzz46]

one of the best things about riding a sportsbike is the direct connection between the rider and the bike, no electronics getting in between, if i make a mistake and crash then its my mistake, if i pull off something spectacular its all me, in my opinion a sportsbike should have no aids - leave it all for the rider, same goes for motogp

[Specs24SG]

this has to be one of the best youtube comments i have read

[koimaster]

@guzz46 dont be an idiot. People use sports bikes off the track as well. Even the most experienced riders can lock up their front wheel in an emergency. It's hardly the riders fault if someone pulls out in front of them forcing them to grab the brakes to avoid a head on collision. Seen it happen to riders. Don't be ignorant.

[guzz46]

@koimaster I'm not being an idiot, i want to ride the bike by myself, not have some device make a decision on how much pressure gets applied when i pull the brake lever, i have been riding bikes on the road for about 15 years and have never locked the front in an emergency stop, and i'm not some kind of special rider either, motorcycles are dangerous, i don't want manufacturers to start taking away elements of control from the rider, or what will be next? retractable training wheels?

[koimaster]

@guzz46 you fail to understand ABS. It will NOT affect or 'make any decision' about how much pressure gets applied to the brakes. It only kicks in when the front wheel locks up - hence when you need it. You may be able to do an emergency stop without locking the front wheel - most people can. But i hope you never have to do an emergency stop when the road conditions are not in your favour, ie a bit of gravel/oil, as i guarentee your front wheel will lock up without ABS.

[guzz46]

@koimaster No i understand how ABS works, if you listened to the video you would of heard that a CPU on the bike will tell the front brake pump how much force to give the front calipers, so it's making a decision for you, and if you watch the Honda Fireblade ABS v non-ABS video you will see that the front wheel doesn't have to lock for this to work, and i have done an emergency stop in the wet, its still the same principle of feel through the handle bars as to how much grip your front tire has.

[michaelthepsycho]

@guzz46 Typical macho bullshit. Get with the times... Bikes are still lightyears behind cars. People said the same thing about traction control and stability control. You simply cannot and will not brake better than a computer.

[guzz46]

@michaelthepsycho It has nothing to do with being macho, its all about the enjoyment of riding bikes (just you and the bike with no electronic help) i have never driven a go kart and wished that it had traction control, ABS and stability control, i don't even care if ABS will help me save a few meters, i want to do it by myself.

And bikes aren't behind cars at all, they are completely different, i would never wish motorcycles to become like cars, what would be next retractable training wheels?

[69dundee]

It's not quite the same as the old Honda system, like on VFRs and Blackbirds etc, which is quite crude and mechanically operated. This is 'brake-by-wire' and the braking is electronically controlled. It only cuts in during an emergency, distributing the braking force between front and rear brakes, so the bike feels 'normal' until then. That's the clever thing about it. You don't know it's there until you need it, so it doesn't spoil the ride.

[patrickroks]

exactly dundee thats why britishrider is the NOOB because he doesn't even listen to what michael neeves is saying about the abs system. the bike feels and rides NORMAL and im gonna test ride it for sure. but im not buying it just bought a gsxr 600 a few months ago. and i love it.

[confusedsay]

so there is NO front end dive, when you just apply the rear brake? Thanks for the info.

[69dundee]

When you apply the rear brake only, the 'brake-by-wire' system will start working. If it senses the rear wheel is going to lock it activates the front brake as well. So, stamp on the rear brake pedal, the front brakes go on as well, and the front forks dive. This system is only operated in an emergency, the rest of the time, the brakes work just like normal ones, so you still have feel and control.

[confusedsay]

Thanks, for taking the time to explain it better for me. I'm going to have to test ride an ABS bike and try hard braking and see how it feels. I have a 94 Ducati 900ES, so I'm used to hard rear braking to get around some corners on the street and off-road.

[NightRid3rs77]

ABS = Awesome system

[BritishRider]

ABS = System for n00bs that can't ride.

[NightRid3rs77]

ABS has saved allot of life´s

[aaronc608]

@NightRid3rs77 certainly enough to make me buy it!