ABS on the track?

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Jello

Jello

Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Messages
353
Location
New York, NY
I'm sure I'll sound like a Luddite saying this - but do you guys actually leverage the ABS on your bike when on the track? Years ago, to put ABS on anything other than a Gold Wing would be sacrilege, and now it is commonplace across all models and styles. I can certainly appreciate the benefits of ABS on the street where things like "predicable", "consistent" and "reference points" don't exactly apply (e.g. a Minivan barrels out of a hidden driveway during a rainstorm), but what about on the track?

I've never tried racing with a bike fitted with ABS and I'm curious how it plays out... is the modulation soft enough to not be a distraction? Or does it not even kick in despite hard/deep braking? Do most "race" settings (as opposed to "road" or "wet) dial back the sensitivity of the ABS trigger? Finesse on the brake lever still a skill, or is it all about just grabbing a fist full of brake and not worrying about (aside from an upset suspension)?

What's the deal?
 
I've only had it on for one track day and I always keep it front only. I will race the bike some next year and plan to keep it on just like it is now. ABS is really well done. It appears to modulate extremely fast and hasn't screwed with me yet. To be fair I wasn't deep and hard on the brakes during that day.

If I have to drag around that extra 5 lbs I'm gonna use it. :)
 
Been racing the whole year this 2013 at our Phil. Ducati Cup Races with ABS activated on the front only...
Trailbraking etc...not a problem with ABS....I just put traction control on least intrusive setting for track use...Electronic age has arrived! Glad it did though...saved me from highsiding twice!
 
mig1199 said:
Been racing the whole year this 2013 at our Phil. Ducati Cup Races with ABS activated on the front only...
Trailbraking etc...not a problem with ABS....I just put traction control on least intrusive setting for track use...Electronic age has arrived! Glad it did though...saved me from highsiding twice!
Click to expand...

I agree . Raced a National series with front ABS activated was able to go deep into corners trail braking never a issue the brakes are phenomenal .
Still interested to hear from George .
 
Did you have ABS regulation during turn 1 ??

I race with ABS in level 1 - only active a very few times during the year - guess I'm not that hard on the brakes into the corners
 
I use it but have it set to front only. Never had a problem with it during trail braking or hard braking. I still carry the rear wheel just off the ground from time to time.
 
Yesterday at the track coming down the front straight under hard braking I did not notice the ABS at all. Its on the RACE setting on 1, Front ABS only.

I was braking hard enough to where the rear was lifting slightly causing the rear end to wobble just a bit.
 
My ABS setting is OFF now. Why? Well, when I was on the track and making my way through traffic - another rider decided to throw his hand up and slow down while lining up with the inside curbing (where I was passing him) - I had the ABS active front only - I squeezed the lever and it pulsed hard and wouldn't allow my bike to slow. It released the caliper too abruptly when I was on the threshold of locking up. Not a good feeling. At least with ABS off, I am aware of the limits of braking and can control the modulation myself of the lever.

Over the winter time I intend on removing the complete ABS system and all of its components.
 
George Villar said:
My ABS setting is OFF now. Why? Well, when I was on the track and making my way through traffic - another rider decided to throw his hand up and slow down while lining up with the inside curbing (where I was passing him) - I had the ABS active front only - I squeezed the lever and it pulsed hard and wouldn't allow my bike to slow. It released the caliper too abruptly when I was on the threshold of locking up. Not a good feeling. At least with ABS off, I am aware of the limits of braking and can control the modulation myself of the lever.

Over the winter time I intend on removing the complete ABS system and all of its components.
Click to expand...

Never felt anything like that .
 
Thanks!

George Villar said:
My ABS setting is OFF now. Why? Well, when I was on the track and making my way through traffic - another rider decided to throw his hand up and slow down while lining up with the inside curbing (where I was passing him) - I had the ABS active front only - I squeezed the lever and it pulsed hard and wouldn't allow my bike to slow. It released the caliper too abruptly when I was on the threshold of locking up. Not a good feeling. At least with ABS off, I am aware of the limits of braking and can control the modulation myself of the lever.

Over the winter time I intend on removing the complete ABS system and all of its components.
Click to expand...
This scenario is EXACTLY my fear, but I find it interesting that you are the outlier.

Thanks to all for the response, it's been insightful.
 

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