ABS off switch

[cbrunsw]

I found a Euro site for S10 accessories including an ABS off switch for those interested.
http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-1200-Z/ABS-off-switch-XT-1200-Z.html

 

[colorider]

I found a Euro site for S10 accessories including an ABS off switch for those interested.
http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-1200-Z/ABS-off-switch-XT-1200-Z.html

Still a lot of debate as to if the switch is even needed due to the excellent setup Yamaha has developed for the ABS on the SuperT.

BTW, welcome to the Forum!!!! What do you ride now and do you have a SuperT on order?

 

[Firefight911]

Centerstand + 2nd gear + 30 seconds = ABS disabled

 

[fredz43]

Also for those that think they really need it, $5 toggle switch, $2 inline fuse holder and two connectors and a little bit of wire and you are set. Less than $10 and not much work.

I am betting that I won't need it, even at that price.

 

[cbrunsw]

I've got a Super'T on order and currently ride a WR250R. Big upsize for me but about time!

 

[rem]

I'm thinking I won't need the switch on/off capability. Unless you're gonna be riding goat trails, likely not a concern. Up here, there is a nice combination of pavement, semi-well maintained gravel roads, and stretches of construction.

However, based on some of the videos I've seen, this bike is capable of some serious stuff. The rider needs to have the skills. I don't, but then I'm not going there. I think it will be a perfect fit for my purposes. R

 

[colorider]

I'm thinking I won't need the switch on/off capability. Unless you're gonna be riding goat trails, likely not a concern. Up here, there is a nice combination of pavement, semi-well maintained gravel roads, and stretches of construction.

However, based on some of the videos I've seen, this bike is capable of some serious stuff. The rider needs to have the skills. I don't, but then I'm not going there. I think it will be a perfect fit for my purposes. R

I'm with you Rem. This bike's capabilities far exceeds my riding skills!!!!

 

[Buckeye56]

For me it is kind of hard to take a side. I have doone some off road on pure dirt bikes that did not have ABS or TCS and did not manage to kill my self! ;-) That said, I can imagine that to have these electronic safety nets on larger bikes like the S10 may not be a such a bad idea either. I do not plan on riding advanced level trails as I do not have the skills to do that even on pure off road bikes. But even on lesser gravel/graded dirt roads having some form of electronic CYA doesn't seem like a such bad thing. Getting pile drived by a 575 LB bike isn't my idea of a good time!

 

[GrahamD]

Welcome along..cbrunsw.

I think with this bike, you will not be wanting to do serious stuff too often, unless you are a 200kg weight lifter, then it might be perfect.
When you need to do serious stuff, it takes thirty seconds to dis-able ABS.

The ABS system on the S10 moves the goal posts, and less people will find it a problem and in less situations.

Remember this is a traveling bike, not an off road bike. It has to be reasonably capable over multiple surfaces - goat tracks to freeways.

It will handle gnarly stuff well for its size, but if you find that you are in that position a lot with the ABS and bike struggling a lot, I would be looking at a smaller more nimble bike with even more off road bias. Maybe smaller or maybe one of those ones that need a ladder attached to get on the things.

Cheers
Graham

 

[2XADV]

Welcome.
Totally agree with Graham. The S10 does so much so well that I think the ABS will do better than what I am capable of without ABS (on any trail I am brave enough to tackle). Don't add a switch but understand how to disable it with the center stand if you find you can do better than the Yamaha ABS can do.

 

[rem]

I've seen videos of skilled and proficient riders taking this bike where I would have trouble with a wheelbarrow. If I were of that caliber, I'd definitely be interested in an on/off switch for the ABS. But for me, it's a no brainer. It's a poor rider who blames his bike. Anytime I lay this boy over, it will likely be my fault for going where I shouldn't have, given my capabilities. Been there, done that. I still have the scar to prove it. RR

 

[switchback]

No ABS switch for me. Didn't hear Jimmy Lewis complain about it.

 

[Chadx]

I've got a Super'T on order and currently ride a WR250R.

Ditto on having a WRR and an ST on order. They'll make good bookends. I've always tried to keep a few bikes in the garage that have a wide enough spread of capabilities that there isn't too much overlap. The WRR is so good, I had to go biiiig to do that in this case. The middleweight dual sports were too close.

I'll be riding the ST on some tough trails. No single track, but we have plenty of mountain trails with loose steeps. Besides my usual riding buddies, I ride with a riders of a large variety of skill levels. I'll be using the ST on trails to slow down my pace and challenge me at that slower pace. That will eliminate the rubber band riding (ride ahead, wait, ride ahead, wait) pace when out with riders that like, or are more comfortable at, a slower pace.

I'll be putting on knobbies after I break it in and will be testing the ABS to it's limits. I'll be proving to myself if it is more controllable and easier to handle with the ABS on or off (testing it by doing the 2nd gear disable trick). Then I'll know whats right for me. If I do wire up an ABS disable switch, I will do it so there is a bright LED staring me in face while it's disabled. That way I won't forget it after the decent is complete. I'm fairly sure I won't need it or do it, but will not know until I do the back-to-back descents with ABS on and off.

 

[switchback]

Wish the WRR was available when I got my DR. After that bike I will never own another carb again.

 

[Yahmy]

In my experience of the past 5000km and having spent close to 50% on dirt roads and even bad muddy lanes after thunderstorms, I never switched off the ABS and I do use the brakes often, especially the front brake. Simply because I never felt it to be intrusive or dangerous to have it on. The TCS was highly appreciated a number of times. My S10 would probably be badly scratched and dented by now if I did not have the ABS or TCS on. OK, I am not a competition enduro jumper/wheelie/power slider type of rider. The fact that ABS and TCS is always on have helped me out on a number of occasions and as a Dirt Road Tourer, I will always keep it on. On very loose gravel/stone sections I even switch to the touring mode and it prevents me from spinning the bike out underneath me. I dont want to make a 360 doughnut on the gravel road, when instead I merely intended to pull away after having had a nice scenic stop somewhere next to the road. Well it is exactely how my friend got himself into a trouble spot on his F800GS some time ago.

I guess it is all about one's riding style and I often admire those guys who seem to get the impossible out of a bike and with such ease too.

 

[rem]

A most objective, thorough and helpful evaluation. Thanks for that. R

 

[gmsnowball]

Ditto on having a WRR and an ST on order. They'll make good bookends. I've always tried to keep a few bikes in the garage that have a wide enough spread of capabilities that there isn't too much overlap. The WRR is so good, I had to go biiiig to do that in this case. The middleweight dual sports were too close.

I'll be riding the ST on some tough trails. No single track, but we have plenty of mountain trails with loose steeps. Besides my usual riding buddies, I ride with a riders of a large variety of skill levels. I'll be using the ST on trails to slow down my pace and challenge me at that slower pace. That will eliminate the rubber band riding (ride ahead, wait, ride ahead, wait) pace when out with riders that like, or are more comfortable at, a slower pace.

I'll be putting on knobbies after I break it in and will be testing the ABS to it's limits. I'll be proving to myself if it is more controllable and easier to handle with the ABS on or off (testing it by doing the 2nd gear disable trick). Then I'll know whats right for me. If I do wire up an ABS disable switch, I will do it so there is a bright LED staring me in face while it's disabled. That way I won't forget it after the decent is complete. I'm fairly sure I won't need it or do it, but will not know until I do the back-to-back descents with ABS on and off.

Wouldn't it be nice to ride the S 10 in the Montana 1000 and West Fest this year? I had hoped to have my S 10 in time but now it looks like I will be riding the Wee Strom.

 

[Chadx]

Wouldn't it be nice to ride the S 10 in the Montana 1000 and West Fest this year? I had hoped to have my S 10 in time but now it looks like I will be riding the Wee Strom.

I thought about that when I first ordered, but realized even then that the bike wouldn't arrive in time to both break it in and become adept at harder offroad riding before those rallys. It would be fun, but I'll honestly enjoy the MT1000 much more on the WRR since I plan on rrding the harder alternate sections we've plotted and maybe even a few other sections we didn't want to send the masses. And plan on riding them fast and furious so I can be at camp in plenty of time to setup, help others get settled in and setup, and get to know a bunch of advrider inmates rather than straggle in late and barely have enough time to setup my own tent and get to sleep.

 

[lbever]

For those that are interested in a switch to turn off your ABS. I found the same handlebar mounted switch that is mentioned at the top of this thread from www.SCASSracing.com. I spoke with Steve at SICASS and he assigned a new part number of 12-0201. Price: $17.95. It is the same switch as the KTM map switch 26-029 except it will have bullet style connectors instead of the KTM connectors. The new number is not on the website so you will have to call to order. 248-625-2876
Here is a the link to the KTM switch: http://sicassracing.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35_39&products_id=177

 

[BaldEagle]

For me it is kind of hard to take a side. I have doone some off road on pure dirt bikes that did not have ABS or TCS and did not manage to kill my self! ;-) That said, I can imagine that to have these electronic safety nets on larger bikes like the S10 may not be a such a bad idea either. I do not plan on riding advanced level trails as I do not have the skills to do that even on pure off road bikes. But even on lesser gravel/graded dirt roads having some form of electronic CYA doesn't seem like a such bad thing. Getting pile drived by a 575 LB bike isn't my idea of a good time!

I think it is mostly an issue on steeper downhills on soft or loose surfaces where you would possibly want to lock the rear wheel as your only option to control your speed. The ABS would prevent the rear wheel from locking and you would keep gaining momentum and picking up speed as you continue downhill. However on loose gravel and sand you definitely don't want to lock up the front wheel or you will go down hard instantly....something I learned the hard way. My ideal offroad set-up would be to disable ABS on the rear and keep it on the front.