Viability Of ABS For Bikes: What Is It And How Does It Work

Brakes are one of the most crucial safety components of a motorcycle. Every motorcycle rider will know how important they are to slow down and stop in case of an emergency to prevent mishaps. But if you have to break immediately to avoid a crash, your bike can lose balance and cause you to fall.

ABS for bikes is an anti-skidding system which prevents your bike from skidding away due to inertia when you break too hard. The ABS or antilock braking system was specifically designed for two-wheelers but is now used across automotive industries. Thus, it becomes crucial for every rider to know about ABS and how it works. Keep reading this blog to learn more about ABS in bikes.

A] What Is ABS In Bikes?

ABS (antilock braking system) is a safety feature in most two-wheeled vehicles which prevents the wheels from locking. When you compare the braking system of a car to the braking system of a motorcycle, the difference becomes glaring. Unlike applying brakes in a car, when you apply brakes to a bike, it can become unstable and there is nothing other than your bike riding gears to protect you.

The ABS senses when brakes are applied and the current speed. This helps it prevent wheel locking at a higher speed and maintain stability. This helps to ensure the safety of the rider as well as others on the road.

B] History Of ABS In Motorcycle

Before the bike ABS system was even introduced, the concept of Slip Prevention Regulator was used for railways since 1908. The first ABS brakes for bikes were first introduced in 1988 when BMW launched its K100 model with electronic-hydraulic ABS.

This trend took on when Honda launched its ST1100 Pan European in 1992. Then the same was followed by Harley-Davidson and Suzuki in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Since 2008, ABS brake in bikes has been a standard for all Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles.

C] Components of ABS

• ABS Speed Sensor: The Speed sensor is used to determine the acceleration and deceleration of the wheel when you apply brake. The sensor consists of a magnet and a ring, which creates an electric signal. The signal is used to determine the speed of individual wheels. The sensor is a key component in controlling drifting.
• Valves: Valves are used for controlling the pressure on the brakes. Without the ABS, if you clutch the brakes harder than necessary, the wheels will stop moving immediately and hurl you forward. Valves avoid this by limiting the pressure. The valve has three positions open, block, and release. The valves usually stay open and go into a block position when they need to block extra pressure. After it releases the pressure, it goes back to the open position.
• Pump: After the valves release the pressure on the brake, the pump is used to refill the pressure. The pump puts the right amount of pressure in order to avoid sliding. The pump’s status to refill is managed by the controller.
• Brake Fluid: The brake fluid is a crucial part of the hydraulic brake system. It enables the braking mechanism by applying pressure on the hydraulic system. It usually has a very high boiling point as the system creates a lot of heat and also keeps the material free of corrosion.
• Controller: One can argue that the controller is the most crucial part of the ABS mechanism. The controller receives information about the individual wheels from the sensors and sends the signal to the valves. It regulates the brake force via the valves and refills them by sending signals to the pump.

D] How ABS Works In Bike?

The brakes, sensors, and ECU (electronic control unit) kit are usually placed on the rear wheel. The use of ABS in bikes reduces the sliding of the motorcycle and easier to handle during stopping. The ABS achieves this by preventing the wheels from locking up.

When the rider applies more pressure on the brake than required, the bike can start to skid on the road which can cause serious injuries. If the rider applies less force while braking, it can lead to poor braking and collisions.

ABS works to prevent skidding as well as poor braking by maintaining the brake force and keeping the rider safe. Too much skidding can lead to smoothening of tyres over time and you may need to change tyres more frequently. It is crucial to understand when to change bike tyres to maintain safety while riding.

Without the ABS the brake force would be directly applied to the caliber and disc which can increase the friction between the road and the wheels. With ABS technology in bikes, the force first has to go through the ECU and Hydraulic valve which regulates the pressure. In many cases, ABS not only prevent skidding and wheel locking but also reduces the braking distance.

The ECU monitors the rotational speed of the wheels and prevents them from becoming 0 (stopping) at high speeds. The valves and pumps work in unison with the controller to maintain the brake force at a standard unit.

E] Advantages Of ABS Braking System In Bike

1. Stop Distance

Under many observations, it was noted that bikes with ABS allowed riders to react quicker than normal, reducing stopping distance. This is crucial for avoiding collisions during emergency situations. Bikes without ABS stop after 30 meters from where the brakes were applied, while bikes with ABS stop only after 3 meters. Having high-quality brake pads like Vesrah Ceramic Brake Pads for Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 or Crank1 Ceramic Brake Pads for RE Himalayan can further help with stopping distance. 

2. Control On Bike

ABS allows the biker to have more control of their bike in case of emergencies. They can handle the bike without much problem, unlike bikes without ABS which keeps sliding. In rainy or snowy weather this can lead to serious injuries.

3. No Stoppie

Stoppie is a motorcycle trick in which the back wheel is lifted up by applying brakes at a high speed. This is best if left to professionals. But one thing is for sure, an unplanned stoppie is scary even for seasoned professionals as it can tip you and your bike over. In ABS fitted bikes, the pressure is measured and limited so there is no possibility of a stoppie.

4. Less Wear And Tear

ABS puts even pressure on the brakes. Meanwhile in bikes without ABS, the rider has to manually control the pressure on the brakes, leading to uneven pressure. This can lead to heightened wear and tear on the discs.

F] Myths Surrounding Motorcycle ABS

• ABS reduces stopping power: ABS does not reduce the stopping power, quite on the contrary, it makes stopping more efficient. Many experiments have shown that ABS even reduces the stopping distance.
• ABS is only viable in rain/snow: ABS offers excellent traction for motorcycle wheels on any road conditions, including wet, dry and uneven terrain. It maintains the rider’s safety no matter the weather or road conditions.
• ABS is only for beginners: Riders who are still learning the curve benefit the most from ABS. However, it is also true that even professional riders prefer to use bikes with ABS for their increased safety.

Conclusion

ABS is a very crucial safety component in a bike. Knowing about the equipment can only make your rider safer and more comfortable. ABS has been shown to help riders stop quicker and at a shorter distance without compromising on bike control. While it is not mandatory for every bike, it is considered safer to have it if you can.

If you further wish to improve your safety while riding, you should remember to maintain your bike in top condition and have the best quality helmet and riding gear. Find bike parts and riding gear from the best brands in India at Bikester Global Shop. Visit today!