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[T-Hawk]

While I've searched here and others, I'm wondering if anyone has experienced a partial ABS Failure, without getting an ABS Fault light to indicate I have a problem.

The brake switch recall was performed back when it came out, and the system performed flawlessly right up until a couple of weeks ago.

The rear brake still engages ABS under extreme braking, even on dry surface... engages normally under less than ideal surface (wet).  The front brake however, feels like any other braking system without ABS. 

As I apply the brakes fairly equal for normal stopping... guessing about 70% front to 30% rear, I was surprised when the rear ABS engaged on a slightly wet surface (more dry than wet), but without any feedback from the front (as it didn't engage ABS).

Maybe the rear is more sensitive?  Maybe the conditions didn't require ABS at all?

Because the front didn't engage, I made the decision to perform what could have been a very detrimental exercise...  while traveling at around 25-30mph, straight and level, on a wet surface... I made an attempt to get the front ABS to engage.  All the bike did was come to a nice controlled, very heavy stop without the application of the rear brake.  The front end compressed as usual, but under the same surface conditions in the past, the ABS would have engaged with the feedback in the lever and the stopping of the bike was less dramatic.

Thinking I was going too slow for the ABS to engage... I ran up to 45mph and tried again.  Still, no ABS... and I had to put my years in the saddle to work to prevent lockup.  The bike still stopped well, and the lever felt as normal as ever.  Smooth even pressure, with normal pressure feedback... but no ABS or ABS feedback.

Remember, all this without an ABS Fault Light.

Now, I may be getting ready to answer my own question... but, would removing the calipers and cleaning the pistons behind the pads possibly return things to normal?

After every service, the bike has always performed normally... this is the 3rd set of brake pads front/rear, and I trust my mechanic with my life, but could it be that I just got into some dusty/dirty environmental conditions that are causing the pistons to hang up?  I would think I would be getting a little sponge in the lever if that were the case, but I'm at a loss since I'm not getting any codes or trouble lights.

Thanks in advance,
Ted

[GregKhougaz]

Ted,  From your description, it seems the ABS worked flawlessly.  Obviously, under hard braking, the front tire has more traction than the rear.  Thus, it may be difficult to activate the front ABS in the conditions you describe. Did the front tire skid? If so, then you might have an issue. 

Just my $. 02. 

[ultrafxr]

Ted,  From your description, it seems the ABS worked flawlessly.  Obviously, under hard braking, the front tire has more traction than the rear.  Thus, it may be difficult to activate the front ABS in the conditions you describe. Did the front tire skid? If so, then you might have an issue. 

Just my $. 02. 

But if the ABS did engage shouldn't he have felt some pulsation in the brake lever?   

[GregKhougaz]

But if the ABS did engage shouldn't he have felt some pulsation in the brake lever?   

Yes.  It can engage in the rear without engaging the front.  We don't know that it should have engaged.   If it might be an issue, it may be best to have this checked out at the dealer or with a qualified mechanic. There is no sense in testing on wet surfaces and risking a bad result.

[T-Hawk]

Having the rear engage on it's own without the front is nothing new to me... sometimes my foot got a little heavy, but usually due to some distracted cage driver encroaching in my lane.

The front abs used to have very positive feedback in the lever and even sometimes enough to transfer through to the bars.  Very distinctive feeling.  Wish I didn't have to know this... but even though Alaska has one, if not the highest, Motorcycle per Capita, people still don't seem to know we're out on the roads and Emergency Decel/Stops are quite frequent.  For me, at least once a month it seems.

It may be that the front abs is functioning as designed, but I'm not getting the feedback as I used to.  Or, because I've ridden without abs for so long, I can still feel the 'near' lockup point that would otherwise engage the abs.

Either way, I'm guessing if the system isn't giving me a faulty indicator, and I'm still in total control of my stopping power...  I'll still have my mechanic look into it when he's setting me up for next season.  Don't have too many days left for riding, and the road conditions do not warrant any additional testing.

Thanks for the input... but if there's more, or similar issues out there, please keep it coming.