QuestionI'm getting ready to buy a Suzuki Burgaman 650. I'm a 47 220 lb male, beginner to average rider. Should I get one with ABS?
AnswerSorry for taking longer than normal to answer your question, it got lost in the filter.
ABS stands for anti-lock braking system. They work by having a device on the wheel rim and a sensor that detects when the wheel has locked up. The device then momentarily releases the brakes and instantly reapplies them, allowing the wheels to rotate again. This stops any skid from developing and allows you to continue to have control over the steering.
They normally only work in instances of very firm braking on slippery surfaces and when travelling in excess of 40 mph. They are not foolproof; if the device on the wheel rim is dirty, the sensor may not pick up the signal. I have had one fail on me on a BMW850RT.
There is no substitute for learning the sensation of losing traction through riding a small bike off road in a reasonably environment. If you are familiar with the sensation of losing and regaining traction, you will be less likely to panic and over-react when it happens on the road.
Don't confuse ABS with linked-braked systems that apply both brakes to varying degrees, even when you only apply one or other. Personally, I prefer to decide the combination myself.
Braking should normally be done 75% front and 25% rear, with the rear applied momentarily after the front. This is because braking causes downward forces on the front wheel, therefore that is where maximum traction is achieved. In the wet, this is moderated to 50%/50%.
The best answer is to improve your riding technique through better observation and anticipation so that heavy braking is rarely required. You see things developing in advance and alter your position and speed to cope. There are FREE PowerPoints to download in my website on how to do this.
So, given all this, you decide if the extra money you would be spending on ABS is worth it to you.
Regards
Alec
www.alecgore.com
