How can you tell if a bike has ABS or not?

[Spookymonster]

I just purchased a 2000 R1100R. The dealer tells me it doesn't have ABS, but there are 2 ABS lights on the dash. Does this mean it has ABS or not? If it does, then I just rooked them for $500 .

[big papa]

Does it have the ABS sensor rings on the front and back wheels?

[Spookymonster]

Not sure, and the bike's still at the dealership 'til Thursday. Do you have a pic of the rings?

Edit:
Out of the three switches on the handlebars, 2 are plug dummies, while the middle button is a 4-way flasher. From what I'm reading, one of these buttons should be to enable/disable ABS, correct? If that's so, then I definitely don't have ABS.

Odd that they wouldn't replace the ABS lights with plug dummies as well, though....

[DJ Downunder]

Mine has those lights but does not have ABS...look at the front wheel and see if there is a ring about 6" in diameter with slots all the way around it.

It's on the left side..if you have it..you may have ABS....you can see it here...just inside the front brake disc.

DJ

[garylspolar]

Edit: deleted, question answered better than I could.

[Spookymonster]

Damn... I've got some pics, but none show the brakes on the left side, only the right side.

Guess I'll have to wait and see on thursday...

[GeoffJ]

Forget looking at the bike. If there's any doubt about ABS, or whether it's working properly, simply accelerate to about 30 mph, slam on the rear brake and see if the wheel locks up.

[philr]

How do you tell if your bike has ABS? Just find a really slippery road and jam on your front brake as hard as you can at 100 mph. If you fall flat on your arse you don't have ABS.

Seriously, it really worries me that there are riders on public roads that have to ask someone else whether or not their bike has ABS (or any other really basic question). Considering the alarming motorcycle accident statistics, I reckon new (and experienced) riders have a duty to themselves and to others to learn as much as they can about bikes, and riding, before they even get a licence. One can afford to be a little isolated from one's car - but bikes require more than a vague knowledge of which is the pointy end.

I also notice that chat sites seem to be the first port of call for many when trying to solve problems. Apart from the risk that we might have a situation of the blind leading the blind (myself included), one really learns much more when one does one's own homework. Having said that, and no doubt offended many, chat sites are still a great way to garner information about one's interests.

[Spookymonster]

Seriously, it really worries me that there are riders on public roads that have to ask someone else whether or not their bike has ABS (or any other really basic question).

Given that 1) the bike has 2 ABS lights on the dash regardless of whether or not ABS is installed and 2) I haven't ridden the bike yet, I think my question was reasonable.

I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at: are you implying that asking a question makes you unfit to ride?

[GeoffJ]

How do you tell if your bike has ABS? Just find a really slippery road and jam on your front brake as hard as you can at 100 mph. If you fall flat on your arse you don't have ABS.

Seriously, it really worries me that there are riders on public roads that have to ask someone else whether or not their bike has ABS (or any other really basic question). Considering the alarming motorcycle accident statistics, I reckon new (and experienced) riders have a duty to themselves and to others to learn as much as they can about bikes, and riding, before they even get a licence. One can afford to be a little isolated from one's car - but bikes require more than a vague knowledge of which is the pointy end.

I also notice that chat sites seem to be the first port of call for many when trying to solve problems. Apart from the risk that we might have a situation of the blind leading the blind (myself included), one really learns much more when one does one's own homework. Having said that, and no doubt offended many, chat sites are still a great way to garner information about one's interests.

Remarkable input!

Not to question your riding skills, Philr, but most here wouldn't use the front brake as you suggest.

[socalrob]

Spookymonster,

No question is too stupid, and if you hang out at this site I would suspect you can gather some good info on the bike, on gear, & on safety training.

I would not get too excited about a rude comment or two, especially if the poster is a n00b to the board who hasn't even bothered to fill out their profile (hint, hint).

Now if DJ, BigPapa & Cyclerob all gang up on ya, you better pay attention!

[Kazushi]

No need for brake jamming, ass falling, wet roads or even wheel exploring, just turn the ignition key on, if you have ABS the ABS lights will start to blink and some relays will start to tick while the ABS is going through it's test mode...

If you get blinking and ticking you have ABS.

Just my two eurocents worth...

[JCsman]

No need for brake jamming, ass falling, wet roads or even wheel exploring, just turn the ignition key on, if you have ABS the ABS lights will start to blink and some relays will start to tick while the ABS is going through it's test mode...

If you get blinking and ticking you have ABS.

Just my two eurocents worth...

So, if there is no blinking or ticking you either have a non-ABS bike, or totally non-functional ABS....

Just pullin' your chain, Kazushi, good input/

[Kazushi]

Either that, or a dead battery :-)

No need for brake jamming, ass falling, wet roads or even wheel exploring, just turn the ignition key on, if you have ABS the ABS lights will start to blink and some relays will start to tick while the ABS is going through it's test mode...

If you get blinking and ticking you have ABS.

Just my two eurocents worth...

So, if there is no blinking or ticking you either have a non-ABS bike, or totally non-functional ABS....

Just pullin' your chain, Kazushi, good input/

[philr]

Hmmm - In reply to various replies about my reply, this raises a number of issues.

For 'socalrob' and 'GeoffJ' who are obviously curious about the worth of this antipodean upstart - I have been riding regularly for 37 years with no on-road offs (but numerous sphincter tighteners). Am a qualified motor engineer - had a workshop for 16 years specialising in German and Italian machinery. Have a Social Science degree which is useful for my involvement in researching and contributing to motorcycle rider safety. None of this necessarily means that I know what I am talking about - but it helps.

My first reply clearly stated that my initial, admittedly smart-arse response, was not a serious suggestion and it is worth noting that no one followed up on the rider knowledge issue. For example, some Australian State governments have a training scheme (ours is called Q-ride) for learner riders that requires participants to learn the basics about bike maintenance and the function of the various components of a bike before they get their licence. I maintain that a person should be required to have a certain level of knowledge about the mechanics of a bike before one is licensed to ride on public roads. Where does one get that knowledge?

I stated that chat sites are useful; but surely no one could possibly suggest that they are a truely authoritative source of information. This has already been demonstrated by the quite reasonable questioning of my own credentials. I believe that chat sites, although helpful and interesting, are a poor first preference for accurate and authoratitive information. That is not to say that such information is not available on chat sites, but how do the uninitiated separate the wheat from the chaff.

[socalrob]

Philr,

My work is done. You filled out your profile.



FYI I was just trying to make Spookymonster feel a bit more welcome. I look at it as he already owns the bike, don't want to discurage him from asking questions.

The whole, "you can't ride if you don't have mechanical knowledge" to me is a bit overblown to me. Its not the 60's/70's anymore when you had a much higher likelyhood of roadside breakdown (and repair). I'm sure in the 1930's you were not considered a real driver if you couldn't fix your car beside the road either. I doubt my 16yo daughter has a clue as to how hydraulic brakes work, but she is pretty capable of stopping a car (Her eyes did glaze over as I explained how a gas engine works).

Kind of like the arguement about kids not learning because they use a scientific calculator instead of a slide rule. Its already getting harder & harder to do your own mechanical service on bikes, just as its gotten that way on cars.

But I do respect your opinion on the matter. And I do agree that riding is pretty serious business that requires some learning.

Anyway, its always good to have an experienced rider posting. Especially one who can work in the word "antipodean" from time to time.

[Spookymonster]

Mystery solved! I picked up the bike last night and, with a fresh battery in it, the ABS lights remained dim. There isn't an ABS switch on the handlebars, nor is there a grooved ABS ring on the front breaks. It would appear that I do not have ABS.

Thanks everyone for your time and effort. See you on the roads!