ABS saved my @ss today... I think

So, not the smartest thing I've done. It was sunny, clear, but unfortunately 30 deg. I was chomping at the bit to get a ride in, finally. I rode to Seattle to get the new up-map only to find out it was already uploaded, but they didn't document it. What normally would have ticked me off was no problem, a ride is a ride at this point with only 130 mi on the odo in 6 weeks. The main roads were dry.

So, I'm on my way home and getting on the Mercer St ramp to I-5. I don't know how many of you know Seattle roads, but they love funnels up here. 3 lanes into 2, 2 lanes into 1, etc... This is 2 lanes into 1 right before a blind 90 deg corner to the freeway. I'm in the left hand lane, clearly next in the single-file line and this tool in a white and primer civic comes up on the right to pass going about 60. Just around the corner... a line of brake lights. Talk about sphincter tone! My only move is left on the wet, gravel strewn shoulder as far as I can along a cement wall. I could hear cars behind me locking them up. ....! The bike fish tails a little and the brake lever flutters like I've never felt before, but she stays steady and upright. I have no idea whether the abs light on the dash lit up, but I can only assume that's what happened. If I was on my 10 year old R1 I think there would have been a different ending. In retrospect, I should've stayed home given the weather conditions, but its nice to know that I don't have to pay for a dumb decision with serious injury or my life.

Nice save!....not sure why you think the weather had any impact on the situation. these bikes have great stick in the wet. Loose gravel is loose wet or dry. Best to roll through that stuff without brakes if possible, and then only rears if needed. A heavy grab of front will dump you easy under those conditions.

Nice to hear you kept it upright and got home safely. Bad weather/roads....whatever it doesn't matter. Nice to know the ABS worked.
I know what you mean about the funnels in Seattle area. Every time I am in the area there is an accident at one of them when I am coming from or going to SeaTac.

Happy to hear a fellow rider kept safe!! At my dealer today, and the sales guy and a few friends are busting on my stubborn choice that my next bike HAS to have ABS. They were saying that " you've survived all these years without ABS, why do you need it now?".. I think the above example maintains my decision.....

Thanks for posting!

RSR racer said:

Nice save!....not sure why you think the weather had any impact on the situation. these bikes have great stick in the wet. Loose gravel is loose wet or dry. Best to roll through that stuff without brakes if possible, and then only rears if needed. A heavy grab of front will dump you easy under those conditions.

Click to expand...

Thanks, it was an eye opener. The only reason I mentioned the weather is that it was 30 degr. Patches of ice in the shade. I knew it wasn't the best choice to go ride, but couldn't help myself. I here you about rolling through it, but there was just no where to go. Either the back of a civic or into a cement divider. I hardly ever use the rear brake, but used both here out of reaction.

Glad to hear you came away unscathed man.

1199 dreamer said:

Happy to hear a fellow rider kept safe!! At my dealer today, and the sales guy and a few friends are busting on my stubborn choice that my next bike HAS to have ABS. They were saying that " you've survived all these years without ABS, why do you need it now?".. I think the above example maintains my decision.....

Thanks for posting!

Click to expand...

Last year I did a riding course here in OZ with an instructor with 20+ years riding experience, a couple of scars on his face and a limping walk.

He was riding a CBR 600 with ABS and he said he deems it a MUST on all bikes, because first it saves your life and second it makes you faster!

Very smart badass Australian...loved him!

Yup that was your ABS working!

ALL motorcycles MUST be equipped with ABS!

B, I am glad that this is a success story not a crash one. I have crashed in 30 degree weather in '01, now i am a puss.

eek, I'm quite familiar with that trainwreck of an onramp. Glad she kept you upright!

Wow! Glad it ended up well with a thread to tell the tale of ABS! Reading it made my butt flinch as well... Glad I have the ABS myself. I haven't been so brave to venture out in the cold...

Great save man. Glad to hear that. 1000 bucks more on a 20k+ bike is well worth it. Better to be safe then sorry. Kind of of like dropping all this cash on a bike and getting 100 helmet. Abs for the save every time. Glad u made it with no scratches.

mark419ny said:

Great save man. Glad to hear that. 1000 bucks more on a 20k+ bike is well worth it. Better to be safe then sorry. Kind of of like dropping all this cash on a bike and getting 100 helmet. Abs for the save every time. Glad u made it with no scratches.

Click to expand...

Yes, my thoughts exactly... Thanks

I am glad to hear you come out of this with only an experience and nothing more. I believe the ABS saved me as well when a car decided to turn left right in front of me and I was going about 55. It was a pucker factor and I locked them up. Without ABS I don't know that I would have had that much control.

Thank God you had ABS.

It saved my @ss at least once and maybe twice. First time I came up on a unfamiliar left turn lane going across traffic when I misjudged the length of the dedicated turn lane. I had to really get on the brakes coming to the end of the turn lane before it dumped me into oncoming traffic. It was night, I was on an unfamiliar fast road and just misjudged the distance.

Second time was in medium traffic onr interstate when all of a sudden everyone decided to abrubtly stop. I had to get on both brakes (front & back) and felt a lot of pulsing. I was behind a large suv so couldn't really see around them to anticipate the sudden slowdown.
I am a huge believer in ABS now. Call me out on what I did wrong leading up to needing it, but in an imperfect world we won't always be ready for somebody elses f#ckup or our own.

This bike is so fast and so smooth that at times you don't realize how much speed you're carrying into an adverse circumstance.... good to have that ABS to possibly help.