Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

ABS allows one to safely stop on a variety of hazardous surfaces. feat would have been rep eated by a no ther member of the press will _ have to go unanswered, as this was th e only non-ABS uni t present at the demonstration. The riders were en couraged to begin using th e rear brake only to get the feel of ABS working, and then to gradually include th e front br ake. The feeling while using the rear brake on ly is not un like that which occurs' when on e locks up the rear brake of any motorcycle. However, the soft suspension a nd shaft drive of the BMW are subject to viol ent forces as the wheel repeatedly stops and goes. Using the front brake's ABS, however, is different. If ABS is used to slo w the mac hine down dramatically from high speeds; there is virtually no sensatio n of ABS working. Bu t as the machine is' slo wed to a stop, a peculiar lurching serisatio n develops as the ABS cycles. It's not going to cause a crash, bu t one does need to become accustomed to it.. . Increasing the number of pulses per second migh t elimina te the lurching, bu t BMW has exp eri mented wi th pulses of up to 15 cycles per secon d, a nd found j hat a maxim um of seven works best. Any more, ' a n d b rakin g di stan ces increase unacceptably. Surprisingly, there is no pulsing sensation delivered bac k to the brake lever or pedal like those that occur . In a car fitted with ABS. In fact, th e ABS brakes feel like any o thers. Sm ooth, sure stops ca n be made on dry pavement without using the ABS at all, wh ich brings ou t another poin t: ABS does not decrease the normal stoppin g distance. An impromptu braking test using runway landi ng lights as distance markers sh owed th at o n clean; dry pavem ent, a skilled r ide r co u ld indeed stop q uic ker without usi ng ABS. _ It 's important to rea lize th at ABS will no t allow o ne to magicall y appl y th e bra kes hard wh ile leaned over; the same laws of physics a pply to ABS machines as non -ABS ones . Ap plying th e brakes whi le leaned over will either cause the machine to stand up stra ight, or to fall over as, the tire's lateral tractio n limit is exceeded. The real benefit of ABS, it would seem , is that a rider can practi ce hi s braking skills up to, and beyond, th e point of ski ddi ng wit hout having to worry about cras hing. This, in itself, makes ABS worthwhile. Add to that th e occassio na l panic stop o n loose or slippery surfaces, and you've go t a safety feature worth investing in. Anti -lock br akes are indeed the wave of th e future, and BMW/FAG 's • ABS is pointing th e way. The best is allwe do. At Bel-Ray were in the business of keeping things going-developing lubricants for the most exacting, critical , demanding requirements imaginable. For over a third of a century we have been solving lubrication problems for industries all over the world. Aerospace, mining, aviation, heavy industry, military, energy and the motorcycle industry all benefit from Bel-Ray's innovative research developments. Our company policy-is "Total Performance;' This means we do not compromise on material or design and that our products are the finest that modern lubrication technology can provide. Quality costs more, but we believe that economy is . found in value, not price. Where quality and performance count, people come to Bel-Ray. You deserve the best and the best is . all we do. Bel-Ray Company, Inc.' P.D. Box 526· Farmingdale, N] 07727 / Nothing stops faster than @@ '[[) [1D~~® Disc Pads EBC 's new GOLD LINE ®Disc pads are guaranteed to outbrake and outlast all other brands. Never before have aftermarket manufacturers set such high performance standards in braking.GOLD lINE ®disc pads are ideal for fast street bikes and are already being used by hundreds of racers. GET FRICTION NOT FICTION. Check our our ratings - the highest in the industry. Hy-Tech Motorcy-cle Components . For info call 818/362-5534 or order through any quality minded dealer.

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