New Laws, the bonneville and ABS braking system

Samuel F · Aug 27, 2015

Good morning.

I have a straight out of the box, text book rookie. Finishing my licence these days and aiming for a Bonnie in the weeks to come. Beware internet, I did not come here to be judged on anything! ( I know you internet, you old judgemental of everything )

I am just coming here to ask a simple question.
Can a Bonnie, not originally fit with abs, can be fitted with it ABS.
I'm not talking about costs, time to do it, just, is this possible like changing a part.

I see the news laws are going for compulsory ABS (on new bikes I guess), and I was wondering if it is something that can be added after purchase.

Thank you all !

roadtrip · Aug 27, 2015

anything could be done, but I think it would be very difficult on the present Bonneville. The law will not be retrospective so you'll be OK on your non ABS bike, that is unless you really want ABS for your personal safety, in which case I'd recommend you look at a bike that comes with ABS.

Samuel F · Aug 27, 2015

Thank you for you response.
(Once again, as a newbie, indicating I might be wrong)I believe that ABS would be more critical to more... sportive bikers.
I choose the bonneville for many reasons. But dashing through the roads and streets is not one of them. I just want to roam quietly the roads of scotland, UK and France. Easy Rider and road trips in mind.

The other thing, being nowhere close to a working knowledge of bike mechanics, how and actually make repairs by myself, I will probably be keen on learning and I guess the less electronic in my bike the better. Again, I could be wrong.

Thanks for you info and answer @roadtrip

thebiglad · Aug 27, 2015

Samuel F said: ↑

Good morning.

I have a straight out of the box, text book rookie. Finishing my licence these days and aiming for a Bonnie in the weeks to come. Beware internet, I did not come here to be judged on anything! ( I know you internet, you old judgemental of everything )

I am just coming here to ask a simple question.
Can a Bonnie, not originally fit with abs, can be fitted with it ABS.
I'm not talking about costs, time to do it, just, is this possible like changing a part.

I see the news laws are going for compulsory ABS (on new bikes I guess), and I was wondering if it is something that can be added after purchase.

Thank you all !
Click to expand...

The short answer is no. The Bonny was never designed to have the hardware or electronics associated with bike ABS systems.

Samuel F · Aug 27, 2015

Thank you for your reply. That's pretty much what I expected. I wonder how the new laws will affect the design...

Frugaltail · Aug 27, 2015

To be utterly honest having bikes with and without abs currently without. I would say that abs becomes most useful in rain and or poor weather.... Locking up a front in dry warmish conditions is very difficult and very unlikely, tyre technology (even with a Bonnie) give massive amounts of grip under hard breaking so unless your an all year rider I'd dare to say that you won't much need or benefit from having ABS...

Just my thoughts as I'm sure others will differ. But the last 5 or 6 years of owning bikes with abs it's never activated in good conditions.

Samuel F · Aug 27, 2015

Thank you very much for your comment @Frugaltail it is very much appreciated. If anyone want to add this conversation his personnal recomendation for replacement tyres they have found very grippy ( i live in scotland ) that would be very much appreciated.

crispey · Aug 27, 2015

might be worth looking through the tyre threads, Im sure someone asked the same question earlier in the year

Samuel F · Aug 27, 2015

Will do, thank you @crispey

Frugaltail · Aug 28, 2015

Samuel F said: ↑

Will do, thank you @crispey
Click to expand...

I've had no issue with the metzlers good grip and breaking performance, wear life is ok, very very good for its cost.

I hear Road riders are better as they stop white lining issues. ( that hasn't bothered me yet)