locking the front - on purpose

dcstrom

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Something Checkswrecks said here prompted me to note something that I've learned in my 89,000 miles on the Super Tenere

"Brake bleeding - need to flush the ABS pump "
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=10670.msg179448#msg179448

Many of you are probably like me, having come from many years of riding non-abs bikes, where the last thing you want to do is lock the front wheel. When I first got on the S10, I rode for a long time like it was "bad form" to get the front wheel to the point of lockup, thereby having the ABS cut in. There was also the thing about trusting the ABS to work all the time, every time.

The last crash I had on the road before leaving the States was winter 2006, when a woman did a crash stop at an orange light, when I was expecting her to go through. I was on the 1000 V-Strom, temps were in the 30's so tires were nice and hard. I locked the front and was on my arse immediately, but must have performed some magical body-english to manage to get the bike and myself to avoid hitting the back of her car.


On this trip so far I've had 3 similar instances (that I can remember) - you know, you're in traffic, the car ahead or a car a few cars ahead stops suddenly, just as you've glanced at a pretty girl (for example - not that I would do that) on the side of the road. You look back, traffic is stopped and you're still going 30mph. Arrrrgh....

This is what I've learned... On the Super Tenere, you can just clamp on the anchors (I think it is still better to ease the brakes on and load the suspenion, but there may not be time for that). ABS will activate as expected, but you still might not stop in time. Here is the part you can't do on a non-abs bike. On the S10 you can STEER while full on the brakes. So, you're braking as hard as possible, at the same time moving to a safe space on one side of the car or another.

Bottom line, don't be afraid to let the ABS work, and use it to your advantage.
 

tomatocity

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I had a similar Super Tenere ABS experience shortly after purchasing my 2012. "note: coming from a 2005 KLR685 and 2006 DL1000 background"

A car pulled out of a shopping center and drove through three lanes to a left hand turn lane... well I was in the middle lane. I knew I was going to hit the car so I gripped the front brake lever as hard as I could... surprisingly I stopped (no skidding) in half the distance ??? I was pissed but I was not in an accident. Since then I have had total confidence in the braking of the Super Tenere.

note to self: service the Super Tenere brakes (52,200 miles)
 

Koinz

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My R1200 CLC had servo assisted linked abs brakes. That thing stopped on a dime, but slow speed handling suffered because of that. Brakes were too sensitive if you used the front brakes. The linked brakes were always on front to back and back to front, but was proportioned appropriately when you hit the rear brake.

On several occasions you had to be aware that someone can't stop as fast as you can. Had some near misses with Harley riders riding behind me.

On the tenere, I've locked up the front on a paved road with some gravel on it and the ABS brought me to a nice straight stop.
I wouldn't buy another bike without ABS despite what some riders think about advanced technology on motorcycles.
YMMV.
 

Tippo

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I have not put the ABS on my Tenere to use (as far as I know) but the ABS in my Audi S6 has saved me many time on winter ice and snow. The point is (as DC mentioned) you can apply the brakes and keep steering. Ducati, BMW, KTM and the new Yamaha R1 feature an IMU (internal measurement unit or electronic gyroscope) that measures pitch, roll, and yaw and provides input to the ABS and ECU. I learned decades ago not to use the front brake while turning. Now that is possible with these new bikes. i believe that within a few years most bikes will come with an IMU. The new Ducati Multistrada S touring is very much on my radar. It will replace my Ducati ST4s not the Tenere.

Jeff
 

Expflier

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I can still remember 15 years ago when I bought my first BMW with abs linked brakes. A motto of mine is anyone can make a bike go fast it's knowing how to use brakes is what saves lives. In my opinion ABS is a modern marvel for street riding and no longer a option but necessity. Brakes on the tenere work great heck I don't even use back brake hardly on the street. I have not chirped the front tire at speed like some of my other bikes simply because the tenere is very predictable and controllable under heavy breaking. If you haven't done so next time your on a lonely deserted road grab a handful of front brake you'll be impressed with it
 

racer1735

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One of the hardest habits to 'unlearn' is that you CAN steer while full on the brakes. After decades of 'stop straight', now you have to realize an believe that you can actually steer while on the brakes.
 

JRE

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racer1735 said:
One of the hardest habits to 'unlearn' is that you CAN steer while full on the brakes. After decades of 'stop straight', now you have to realize an believe that you can actually steer while on the brakes.
Agreed. I spent many hours in the past practicing the brake "squeeze" (as opposed to the "grab") and it's ingrained in me but it only takes a split second for my brain to say "hey dummy, ABS!" and grab it good. I've only had to make one emergency stop (debris fell off a truck 2 vehicles ahead of me) and it worked like a champ. It's a actually a bit liberating to not have to worry about the lock up and focus more on picking a safe line of evasion.
 

Dirt_Dad

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dcstrom said:
... you know, you're in traffic, the car ahead or a car a few cars ahead stops suddenly, just as you've glanced at a pretty girl (for example - not that I would do that) on the side of the road. You look back, traffic is stopped and you're still going 30mph. Arrrrgh....
I did exactly that on my V-Strom 1000. Only I stupidly had my feet on the highway pegs at the time. I immediately overcompensated with the front brake. Loud squeal and somehow managed not to end up on the ground. I replay that episode in my mind most every time I'm in congested traffic and start thinking about looking around. Also never had highway pegs on any of my bikes after that.
 
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