Anybody tried to disable Unified Brakes and ABS?

[robson]

hi,
just asking because these are the only things which put me off from buying this great bike.
Probably I will still buy Super Tenere soon for long distance touring but still I'd like to have option to
disable these enforced upon rider "features".

 

[DamMechanic]

There are a few that have installed a toggle switch to turn off the ABS by just adding it inline with the pump fuse.

The linked brakes are almost undetectable even off-road.

 

[~TABASCO~]

You could plumb new lines in and have it just a standard braking system like a motocross bike if you want....

 

[OldRider]

You could plumb new lines in and have it just a standard braking system like a motocross bike if you want....

I've done this to a few BMW's that had the servo brakes and it works great. Two brakes hoses and that's it.

 

[Sierra1]

I'm guessing you are wanting to do this for dirt riding? Because I can't think of any reason to disable ABS on the street. And, as long as you apply the rear brake first, they are not linked. ABS has saved MY bacon numerous times. To me, ABS is that insurance policy for when s**t happens without warning and all you have time to do is "stomp & squeeze".

 

[Butterthebean]

tapping the rear brake before applying the front disables the linked brakes. easy enough.

 

[WJBertrand]

I think if you disable the ABS the linked brakes are disabled as well.

 

[Berg_Donk]

I think if you disable the ABS the linked brakes are disabled as well.

Correct.

I much prefer normal brakes. Trying to second think the computer is too much for me. Brakes are much more reliable and predictable once off the seal with the ABS and linking off.

 

[robson]

I heard about the fuse option but also heard this disables speedo as well which is not so good.

As for the abs, currently riding xt660z tenere no ABS, no linked brakes, no TC and no problems
Once I got small accident in my car just because of abs kicked in on tarmac with some dirt on it.

 

[Dogdaze]

I heard about the fuse option but also heard this disables speedo as well which is not so good.

As for the abs, currently riding xt660z tenere no ABS, no linked brakes, no TC and no problems
Once I got small accident in my car just because of abs kicked in on tarmac with some dirt on it.

Just need clarity for use, is it for off roading? If it's for the street, I would leave well alone, how many riders have gone down at round-abouts after some clown in a HGV over-filled his diesel? I personally would not buy a bike today if it did not have ABS.
Out of curiosity, did you disable your car's ABS after the RTI?

 

[robson]

Just need clarity for use, is it for off roading? If it's for the street, I would leave well alone, how many riders have gone down at round-abouts after some clown in a HGV over-filled his diesel? I personally would not buy a bike today if it did not have ABS.
Out of curiosity, did you disable your car's ABS after the RTI?

yes, it is for off-road riding. On street, touring bike I agree I would not buy one with no abs as well, especially because I ride 2up quite often.
I don't need though linked brakes regardless of off-road or street riding. .

Regarding roundabouts etc... no abs, or tc will help you on spoiled oil on road - just your skills counts.
I didn't disable abs in my car because I don't use car much anymore.

BTW what's wrong with Japanese makers that they refuse to provide fully switchable abs on their bikes? honda at least did it for rear brake, but it is still not enough for off-road. KTM, BMW , Triumph can do it so what's the problem?

 

[WJBertrand]

BTW what's wrong with Japanese makers that they refuse to provide fully switchable abs on their bikes? honda at least did it for rear brake, but it is still not enough for off-road. KTM, BMW , Triumph can do it so what's the problem?

I suspect it's a culture thing and fear of any repercussions / loss of face in the event someone turned it off and then had a crash. In the west we'd just say "well it's your own fault, you turned off the safety measures" in Japan it might go more like "you should not have provided a means to disable a safety measure if someone could have an accident doing so".

Having traveled to Japan many times on business, they definitely have a different way of thinking about things compared to the west.

 

[robson]

I see there is a ABS switchable kit already for this bike, which is super easy to install and doesn't mess the speedo.
I need to get this.

 

[Cycledude]

For my own use I have no desire to disable the ABS or linked brakes.
But wanting that stuff disabled seems to be a very common thing.
A friend has a KTM that is built with a ABS disable feature, but he never fully reads the instructions about anything, so one day three of us were out riding and he was leading, all of a sudden I see smoke coming from his tires, he skidded for close to 100 feet then the bike went down on left side throwing him off, we park our bikes and run over to help and he is swearing saying his ABS didn’t work, well turned out the only reason it didn’t work was because he had turned it off.

 

[robson]

obviously you never ride off-road if you don't get the need of switching it off, that's fine.
Regarding your friend, one should never rely on any electronics on a bike, practice your skills constantly.
What if you rent one day a bike without abs?

 

[Sierra1]

I agree that experience increases skill levels; to a certain extent. Linked brakes are the results of many studies showing inexperienced riders using only one brake, usually the back, and crashing. I do have years of experience, and a decent level of skill, and I do not like linked brakes. That being said, it is rare that I need separate front/back brakes, or even think about them. And ABS?! I can't think of ANY reason, on pavement, that I would want it disabled.

 

[bnschroder]

I installed a switch to disable ABS. It's a simple setup with a relay that interrupts the power at the ABS fuse. You can turn it off on the fly, but if I remember correctly you need to cycle the ignition to get it going again. It doesn't mess with the speedo and I don't even think it messes with the traction control (though some may like that).
Anyway - I have never used it, even in nasty rock fields in Colorado. ABS and hard rear braking has always given me more confidence than locking up the wheels.
I think switchable rear ABS only would be nice, but that can't be done on the Tenere

 

[Tenman]

I put a switch on my ABS after going down some long loose dirt hills. Thats the only thing I ever needed it for.

 

[Sierra1]

I put a switch on my ABS after going down some long loose dirt hills. Thats the only thing I ever needed it for.

Now, THAT makes sense.

 

[robson]

wonder if turning abs off turns linked brakes off as well though...