any opinions V7 III ABS brakes?

[lucydad]

All,

So, I am getting down to the final decision, should I pull the trigger on a 2017 V7 III Special in blue? One of my key reasons to upgrade from my 2012 V7R is having ABS brakes. The question from the experienced, are the Brembo ABS brakes "good"? Any comments? Anyone actually use them in an emergency situation?

My 2015 Triumph STRX Triple has magnificent brakes, and yes I have used the ABS. Hence a desire for a small block Guzzi with modern brakes. On top, the new V7 III engine really impressed me on a test ride.

Any comments are very appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[GTM®]

I'm uber-critical on ABS brakes, and in fact I literally hate them on *most* all bikes. I have to say, the V7 II + ABS system is remarkably good (and I don't say that lightly) since you can't easily disable them. The TCS on the other hand is abysmal... tenfold once you mod the bike at all.
Don't think you'll have any regrets going from a '12 to a '17.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Todd's response does not surprise me in the least as it it without a doubt, the single most consistent comment about ABS brakes you hear from the EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL ROAD RACERS who object strenuously about anything that removes their complete control over the motorcycle. Their distaste is justified as they are "the 1% exceptions" and have the skill set to usually outperform the ABS and TSC systems.

However, for the rest of the riding world, no single invention in the history of motorcycling has reduced the number of collisions and deaths from motorcycling as ABS brakes have. The purpose of ABS is not actually about braking per se at all, but rather that the system permits the ordinary rider the ability to maintain directional control of the motorcycle during panic braking or loss of normal traction, by keeping the rotating wheel, rotating, while applying braking forces to slow the motorcycle down.

Traction Stability Control evolved from the opposite idea of ABS, specifically how to maintain normal wheel movement and control when power driven thrust forces exceed the traction of the tire to the riding surface.

For 99% of the riders out there, you cannot outperform these safety systems, and they have tremendous value. Personally, I love them!

 

[lucydad]

Thanks for two very useful comments! Houston traffic, like most big cities-- features some conditions where abrupt, surprise, emergency braking is needed. And, we often have wet or otherwise slick streets. What I have experienced most are cars and bicycles blowing through red lights and stop signs. Left turners are always there too. This causes the emergency response.

On my Triumph: no big issues other than a sore crotch and frustration. On my 2012 V7R: sometimes skids, out of control, pray and hope not to dump the bike or get hit by a car, or hit a bicycle. And, I am pretty good at brake modulation and using both F and R brakes effectively, and tires are in excellent shape, same with brake pads and fluid.

Glad to hear the Guzzi ABS is up to snuff. That helps my decision process! Cheers and ride safe!

 

[mechanicsavant]

ABS has been a life saver for me on two occasions,first on a winding two lane in the rain a deer leapt out of the ditch on the right over the guard rail & landed about 5-10 yards in front of me I was doing the speed limit , about 40mph. Deers feet went right out from under it on wet pavement. I barely got Oh out of my mouth and was hard on the brakes . Never got the second word out as I tagged the deer in the hind quarter. It cart wheeled off to the left & w/abs chattering away I shuddered to an upright stop!
Second time a pick up truck coming in the other direction either broke a spring hit a large frost heave or both & lost a bunch of its load of fire wood & tailgate! I managed to dodge some of it braked way harder than I thought possible,tailgate knocked my rear wheel about a foot to the side ,managed to stay upright and avoid the rest of it . Thought I broke my foot on a piece of wood ,just a bad bruise & 2lost toe nails!

 

[Kev M]

MS, when I read anything in the internet I tend to start from a position of cynicism.

But damn if after reading that I'm not left with any doubt that ABS helped if those descriptions were even remotely accurate.

 

[mechanicsavant]

Deer strike . wet road ,heavily crowned ,w/o abs I don't think I would have stayed up right after punching Bambi & sending it spinning off to the left . I didn't include in the original post ,for brevity reasons ,but a pickup truck coming in the other direction saw the incident, did a U turn & caught up to me as I pulled over right after the incident and he came up to me as I was trying to push down the seat dimple (where my sphincter puckered ) as my life went into slow motion. He was shaking my hand saying he had been driving freight for 25 Yrs ,over 4million mi. & never saw a bike hit a beer & not go down!
Second event ,one moment everything's great next nano second my world consists of fire wood & a bloody tailgate! There have been other instances in over 300k mi.those are the 2that really stand out . if been attacked by a swimming pool ,really! On the big road a pre-cast pool ( not a hot tubby) became detached from its hauler took out the escort vehicle &sent a cement shower my way. I always give big trucks plenty of space. Having worked on them and wittnesed the missing parts they return with . Hey didn't you notice when the fuel tank fell off ? Oh I thought it went dry & switched to the other tank! Mud flaps,brake cans, shock absorbers,spare tires . all disposable items! Its a jungle out there,sometimes a combat zone I'll take any edge I can get & abs is one of them . And if you're going down the road & you see a kids head stick out the side window to a minivan take evasive action ,odds are good he's going to eject a happy meal . Always ATGAT mechanicsavant
Sorry about the typos its late here & I shake a bit

 

[GTM®]

Todd's response does not surprise me in the least...

Heh, yes, well, my comment on them is for what I have found that they *don't* do as opposed to what they do. I have had horrific experiences (even on my Stelvio ABS) on loose surfaces like continuous gravel or dirt, meaning most of them have proven worthless. On paved roads, they are decent and worthwhile for the vast majority. My comment for the record again, the V7 II+ ABS system is quite good, even on dirt and gravel.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Sorry Todd! I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, I only meant to say that PROFESSIONAL EXPERT riders can usually outperform the ABS TCS systems. Us mortal, no so much. Nothing more.

 

[lucydad]

Most of my emergency braking is on dry roads although the occasional gravel spray, torrential Gulf Coast pop up rainstorm, or diesel fuel leak happens. Then there are the fresh tar snakes and deer and piles of leaves. Thanks for comments, sharing your experience means a lot to me.

 

[mechanicsavant]

Nope! Abs don't work well on gravel ! If actually had it lead to an increase of speed on a gravel steeply inclined path ,couldn't call it a road .@ that point the engine is your best brake . Methinks its best suited to paved situations

 

[socalrob]

Nope! Abs don't work well on gravel ! If actually had it lead to an increase of speed on a gravel steeply inclined path ,couldn't call it a road .@ that point the engine is your best brake . Methinks its best suited to paved situations

I have a KTM 690. I can shut off the rear ABS off-road. That works very well. I can shut off front and rear, but normally will just shut off rear. Locking your front wheel is exciting both on and off road.

 

[sib]

Just pull the ABS/TC fuse. That'll inactivate all electronic braking interventions.

 

[Dale Baker]

The Bosch ABS unit on my Norge works. Period. All future motorcycles I buy will hopefully have ABS.

 

[Dale Baker]

All,

So, I am getting down to the final decision, should I pull the trigger on a 2017 V7 III Special in blue? One of my key reasons to upgrade from my 2012 V7R is having ABS brakes. The question from the experienced, are the Brembo ABS brakes "good"? Any comments? Anyone actually use them in an emergency situation?

My 2015 Triumph STRX Triple has magnificent brakes, and yes I have used the ABS. Hence a desire for a small block Guzzi with modern brakes. On top, the new V7 III engine really impressed me on a test ride.

Any comments are very appreciated! Thanks in advance!

The new V7 III in blue has to be one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made.

 

[mechanicsavant]

Aren't the blue ones the fastest too?

 

[lucydad]

And apparently hard to find...