Ducati Monster Forum

Anybody has first hand experience comparing ABS equipped 696 to non-ABS one? How well does ABS work?

Much appreciated  [bow_down].

I've had a 696 sans ABS, and now have an 1100 w/ABS... So I can kinda speak for it.

Differences?  Most of the time you won't be able to tell any difference.  But when the ABS kicks in, you know it.  I had to do a pseudo-emergency stop tonight because of stopped traffic on the other side of a blind corner... the ABS did not kick in and it shouldn't have.  If the ABS system sucked I would expect it to have kicked in for that.  But I've only found the ABS to activate when truly needed and I appreciate that about it.  You also have the option to turn it off if you'd like (for some odd reason) but you'd have to turn it off every time you got on the bike since it resets to the ON state when you cycle the ignition.

If you want to know anything more specifically let me know.

Also, if it's your first bike ever, don't get ABS... one must face the sausage creature in the mouth before you truly know the value of ABS.  Plus it's good to learn proper braking skills before you get some assistance.

"Also, if it's your first bike ever, don't get ABS... one must face the sausage creature in the mouth before you truly know the value of ABS.  Plus it's good to learn proper braking skills before you get some assistance."

true.dat

I don't know about that. Braking without ABS is very different from braking with ABS. In cars, many people who drove cars for years before ABS find themselves modulating brake pressure when they should be just slamming the brake pedal. The same could happen with a motorcycle, in that you modulate/pump the brakes instead of just squeezing with all your might. ABS should allow you to steer while it's working too.

I don't know. Food for thought. If the ABS is good, you need to let it do its thing.

Thanks for sharing the experience.  [clap]

Biggest concern is when something unexpected happens while riding and needs to stop quickly at less than idea road condition ABS might save the day. [beer]

i dont you just ride an ABS bike like a normal bike.

You shouldnt be modulating the brakes anyway. THe only difference is when your without ABS, you need to know when to stop applying brakes. when its too late, its too late. with ABS i thought you can just slam that sucker on and the ABS will find that limit for you...

steering with ABS on a BIKE?  no way. think about it. would you want pulsing brakes going through a corner on the edge of adhesion for your tires?

Well, I've never tried it, and I wouldn't want to try it on my own bike, but in theory, it should work. In reality, in a panic situation, I doubt I'd be doing any steering though. Just filling my diaper while I grab a fist-full of brake.

If you're braking that hard in a corner you've already screwed the pooch.  The ABS is only going to help keep the tire from locking.

true

was illustrating I guess.

BUT trail braking... if you start to slide the tail in, would the ABS kick in or let you slide it through?

I wasn't referring to cornering, but steering to avoid something while hard braking.

ABS just prevents you from locking up the wheel, you're still braking. Turning while braking is a bad plan. Either swerve to avoid something or brake-you can't do both at the same time-it's a recipe for washing out the front.

As far as the two in comparison, if the option was for the bike with ABS, one should absolutely get it.

One should also practice their emergency stops, either way.

V.rossi has built in ABS on his right hand.

This video tests the ABS on the 1100 should be pretty similar. 

Ducati Monster 1100 ABS - brake tested (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6sTbgJgA0E#normal)

Jim :)

Wow, that's really impressive! I could have used the ABS the other day as I drifted my bike sideways to avoid rear-ending a douche bag that slammed on his brakes for no reason. Alas, I didn't get ABS on my 696, but it still brakes well anyway :)

Wow!  Never thought ABS would make that much difference.

I've locked the front a few times causing some pucker moments. I would have loved to have ABS at that time.

I am a firm believer in ABS and if I get one of the newer monsters, it is going to have ABS.

However, there are situations where you would want to intentionally lock your rear tire, like my friend whose ABS equipped off-road bike refused to stop on a gravel down slope  :o

In any case, good info on this thread   [thumbsup]

Please check out the ABS FAQ thread I started over in the Tech section:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0)

I don't do off-roading myself, but all those riders I've seen off-road intentionally lock their rear-brakes for controlled slides and other maneuvers, I would certainly think that if you're going to be off-road on purpose you should NOT be using ABS!

Excellent work!!

Out of curiosity, is it possible to turn the ABS on the monster OFF??  I know some bikes like BMWs have an OFF switch...

Never mind.  Just found the answer on amlethae's FAQ at http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0)