Author Linked ABS Saved My Bacon! (Read 5040 times)

Oransay · **on:** Sep 15, 2017, 01.38 pm

Good day I hope this wee inquiry finds all keeping well.

Unfortunate I had a very sweet elderly lady try to kill me last Friday, she made the dreaded left had turn in front of me. I was only doing 35/40 mph but she whipped across me quickly, I always ride covering the brake and clutch, it's how I was taught 40 years ago.

In any event, I managed to almost come to a complete stop, that ABS linked system saved me, there was a wee bit of gravel in the intersection which added to the equation I'm sure. Both wheels were chattering, skidding, screeching and hopping, the bike started slipping left and miraculously stayed upright until my front tire just barely clipped her rear bumper (not sure on that, no marks but felt it) the bike suddenly slammed right threw me off and fell on its right side.

Questions:
1: Damage is minimal, broken turn signal, scratches and gouges down the right side and the rear brake peddle seems loose. I rode it home some 200 miles no apparent issues. Anybody out there with crash bars on their bike that have experienced an accident? Did the bars measurably prevent damage? I've looked at the R&G bars they just don't seem to provided that much protection for $520 and added weight.

2. I had almost stopped! How could I have a mini high side? Keep running it over and over in my head and can't figure it out. I just wasn't going that fast when I went down.

3. I wear the best gear I can afford, landed on my right side and only slid a foot or two but, I have a bruise on my left arm, a sore left hip and most perplexing of all a sore spot on the left side of my head with no obvious damage to my carbon fiber helmet! What's up with that!

I will say this, had I been riding a bike with conventional brakes there is no way in hell I could have scrubbed that much speed off, I would have T-boned that sweet ladies SUV for sure and for certain. I've been down a few times in 40 years of riding so this isn't my first rodeo.

Thank you Triumph for making one hell of a solid, safe motorcycle!

I appreciate everybody's time.

Cheers

Nick

ZShyster · **Reply #1 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 02.32 pm

Nick,

Thank God you are OK.

I too am a big believer in brake technology, thanks to the smart guys/girls that invent such things.

I was a little perplexed to see you are from the USA but discussed the "wee bit of gravel" which sounds more like one of our British friends than one of us Yanks.

Again, happy to hear you are OK.

ZShyster

atrophy · **Reply #2 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 05.07 pm

Glad you are OK!
I am a believer in ABS as well. It has saved me I'm sure.

A friend just bought a new (leftover) 2016 Goldwing. It is the base model and I was surprised to learn it does not have ABS. Shame on Honda.

karl · **Reply #3 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 05.39 pm

Too many people believe that they can outbrake an ABS bike.

dehaile · **Reply #4 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 05.47 pm

Did the lady stop? What did she say?

GaryWWhite · **Reply #5 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 07.11 pm

What is wrong with these people in cages? I am apprehensive as can be when I approach any intersection as you were. It is great to hear how well your ABS worked especially with some gravel thrown into the mix.

I wanted to comment that ABS has been around since the early 60's. My Dad was an AirForce pilot and flew C-124's. They were a heavy transport aircraft and my Dad commented that they had ABS braking for wet and slick runways. He told me he laughed when they started making them for cars beginning the 80's I believe because the military had them so long before that.

Thought this might be interesting.

I am so glad that you came out of this in one piece.

Best Regards,
Gary

Michel1960 · **Reply #6 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 07.56 pm

ABS saved my ass a couple of times, once on my ST1300 and once on the Trophy . On the ST , I thought for sure I was going to T-Bone that truck cutting me off but to my surprise I did release the brakes after a couple of seconds when I realised that I slowed down so quickly, much faster than anytime before .

Oransay · **Reply #7 on:** Sep 15, 2017, 08.09 pm

Originally Posted by ZShyster

Nick,

Thank God you are OK.

I too am a big believer in brake technology, thanks to the smart guys/girls that invent such things.

I was a little perplexed to see you are from the USA but discussed the "wee bit of gravel" which sounds more like one of our British friends than one of us Yanks.

Again, happy to hear you are OK.

ZShyster

ZShyster I lived in Europe for many years, several tours of duty in Scotland, married a Scot and my children were born there. My Morag reminds me daily that in Scotland no good deed goes unpunished! 😄