Maybe faster the BMW had better acceleration?
I don't want to go to far here because you give a LOT of good help to a lot of folks. Just pointing out that I have yet to see a proper comparison that would prove that ABS bike takes longer to stop than a non-ABS.
Lew,
Both bikes were doing a leveled off 40mph and initiated braking at the same spot, so acceleration was not a factor.
It's not that ABS takes longer to stop, it's that it takes longer to stop WHEN DEPLOYED. The whole purpose of the demonstration was to show that under ideal conditions, using proper braking technique a non ABS bike can stop quicker than an ABS bike WITH ABS DEPLOYED. This is probably a half-ass explanation, but when ABS is deployed the computer does a fast regulation of braking and rolling, thus the pulsating feel. The rolling actually increases stopping distance because it's rolling. A good progressive application of front and rear brake with no let up, i.e. pulsating, will stop shorter because the bike is not beling released and allowed to roll. This was to ingrained in us to show the importance of regular practice in braking. Now, under ideal conditions, if the ABS equipped bike does NOT deploy the ABS, and the rider uses good threshold combination braking, than the stops should be the same.
ABS is great for less than ideal conditions, but if a rider is ALWAYS deploying the ABS, even under ideal conditions, he is NOT probably using the brakes properly. This is why practice is important. The proper technique is to bring the bike right up to the point, or threshold of ABS deploying as that provides the most efficient stopping. As soon as ABS kicks in, the bike will continue to roll, albeit under a computer regulated application. Once again this is under IDEAL conditions. As soon as you add sand, pebbles, undulated surfaces, grass clippings, leaves, water, than ABS wins every time.
ABS is not a panacea. It is not a substitute for good braking techniques and practice. I think quite the reverse. It is MORE reason to practice.
Mark