Convert from non ABS to ABS?

[timrk2001]

As we all know, the USA Versys are not equipped with ABS. I wonder if anyone has looked into a conversion , perhaps by getting parts from a European supplier?

[invader]

http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/index.html

[Fastoman]

Originally Posted by invader

http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/index.html

Got it fitted for the front and back and it has saved me on several occasions from lock up.

[goat12]

Originally Posted by invader

http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/index.html

Awesome. I've been looking for something like this since I got my beloved V. So do you have one on the back at the caliper and the one up front on the master cylinder; or does it require 2 up front at the calipers?

edit: I see at the site you have to email them to purchase anyway- Have you guys done any informal side by side testing on your Vs?

[chitown]

I am also curious about this system.

[ScottyNeal]

Fastoman,
Does it stop faster than stock?

[Jehos]

Originally Posted by ScottyNeal

Fastoman,
Does it stop faster than stock?

ABS by definition can't stop faster than stock. Its job is to release the brakes during a skid. You can always stop faster than ABS by max braking without skidding.

[peta8368]

in other words, ABS helps the rider approach maximum braking efficiency/power (whatever the correct term would be). For many riders, it's better than what they can do, especially when panic braking.

So whether it stops better than stock is not a valid question. Whether it stops better than you as a rider... that's YMMV. I know it would certainly stop better than what I can do.
Peter

[Versystole]

Originally Posted by Jehos

ABS by definition can't stop faster than stock. Its job is to release the brakes during a skid. You can always stop faster than ABS by max braking without skidding.

In theory. In practice, on pavement, most riders can stop faster with ABS...

[jmlmjmjm]

Originally Posted by invader

http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/index.html

Careful.....Opinions are all over the place regarding the effectiveness of this product.


Adding air to your brake line will give you a spongy brake lever, yes. ABS capability, ahhhhh-no.

And think about it, if it was this easy wouldn't the manufacturers be doing it already?

[Seeya]

+1

Originally Posted by jmlmjmjm

Careful.....Opinions are all over the place regarding the effectiveness of this product.
Adding air to your brake line will give you a spongy brake lever, yes. ABS capability, ahhhhh-no.
And think about it, if it was this easy wouldn't the manufacturers be doing it already?

Maybe they need to be used with stainless steel brake lines.

[Testcase]

Locked up my V's rear today in a panic stop on the freeway. Everything turned out OK but now this TCB sounds interesting.

[ScottyNeal]

I wish someone would install this and give it a good test. The data from their web site suggested it was more effective at lower speeds (35mph vs 45mph). No data on faster speeds.

[Boricua]

ABS does not make a bike stop faster. Its purpose is to allow th rider to maintain control by not allowing a lockup. An expert rider can stop very fast while maintaining control. However, very few riders if any can beat the speed of the sensors. Most riders will not apply full break because they are afraid of locking up the tires or will release to much of the break after the lockup happens. Both dangeruos situations. Just like cars ABS should be required in all street legal bikes. Volume will push cost down. The only caveat is a turn off bottom for dirt capable bikes. Dealers are the only barrier to introducing more ABS models. They are the ones that tell manufacturers what to bring over to the US. They do not want the extra safety cost so they can add profitable junk fees and accesories.

[jmlmjmjm]

Originally Posted by ScottyNeal

I wish someone would install this and give it a good test. The data from their web site suggested it was more effective at lower speeds (35mph vs 45mph). No data on faster speeds.

Motorcycle Consumer News tested something similar a long time ago....Read a letter to them from 2008 regarding this product:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/letters/200802letters.pdf

[Testcase]

Originally Posted by jmlmjmjm

Motorcycle Consumer News tested something similar a long time ago....Read a letter to them from 2008 regarding this product:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/letters/200802letters.pdf

That letter jives with my gut impression about the product upon reading their site more. You get some 'wiggle room' in the brake with mush. But I dunno if I really want to go about introducing air into it. Even a controlled bubble like that.

[blahwas]

ABS was a big reason I got a new bike. I wish I could upgrade my old Honda NTV with ABS. I would not buy a bike without ABS, and since I've done a day of intensive riding on a Versys 1000, I probably will not buy a bike without traction control.

By the way, ABS will be mandatory for new bikes (>50 cc) in Europe from 2016 on.

tcbbrakesystems smells like snake oil...

[DK35vince]

Originally Posted by Boricua

Just like cars ABS should be required in all street legal bikes.

I don't like ABS on our cars and I shouldn't be forced to pay for it on my bikes if I don't want it.

[Tigerpawed]

Looking at the Kawi Versys official Service Manual, the ABS option adds much complexity, maintenance and troubleshooting to the V. Maybe if the Non-ABS option wasn't documented, the comparison wouldn't be so harsh, but man...if you put all that ABS stuff on there, it gets much more complicated. Maybe it isn't so bad on a machine that's designed only for ABS from the get-go.

[MaverickAus]

I had no choice in Australia all V's have come with ABS since 2010, I for one am happy to have it.