There is a lot of misunderstandings of what ABS is and what it does and more importantly, what it doesn't do. Let us discuss it with a listing of what I think are 3 facts and myths surrounding ABS and why it could save your life someday . ABS is Anti Brake-Locking System As the name implies, it prevents brake locks - the heart-stopping panicking moments of wheel locking up if we apply brake too suddenly. Brakes? Kinda are more important than the engine themselves. This can cause awesome skids which could be attractive if you are a stunt rider and are stunnting. Whereas, if you are trying to stop because you are riding head-on onto oncoming traffic; I have no clue why you would be; but that wouldn't spell good for you, so stopping the biking when you want it to stop is critical for riding. ABS is any system that prevents the wheel lock, by releasing the pressure on the brake disc, if it senses a wheel lock. This is done using motion sensors, which in turn
So last week some friends and myself were discussing an interesting topic: Which is more important for a motorcycle - Engine or Brakes?
And which is the deciding factor when purchasing a motorcycle?.
The discussions started with everyone praising Yamaha’s engine, which is praiseworthy - but it led me to retrospect why engines take up the limelight?
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Most people think that the engine is the most important part of the motorcycle, in fact the word motor itself stands for the engine. This I agree upon, but in a practical scenario- we are not just accelerating forward, but also accelerating backwards aka. braking to avoid being killed.
Going one step further, Brakes actually out perform the engines on most motorcycles! How?
Let us talk numbers to Prove Something:
Motorcycles around 500cc (like Honda CBR650, Yamaha R6, Daytona 675 and lots more)
0-100kmph Usually around 3-5 seconds mark.
100-0kmph braking - 3-5 seconds as well!
Making their acceleration and deceleration rates almost the same which leaves the braking distance almost the same as well!
Motorcycles below 500cc (like Honda CBR250, KTM family, Royal Enfields Classic 350, Mahindra Mojo and more)
Let us take D390 as an example because it is one of the highest power to weight ratio, meaning power efficient engine.
0-100kmph in around 6+ realistic seconds.
100-0kmph in around 4-5 seconds thanks to super sticky Metzeler tyres.
Meaning, the Brake Out Performs Engine (even though it is one of the most power efficient engine)
Now lets not forget that Duke 390 does boast the top of the class engine, and the brakes still out perform the Engine.
As you drop down the ranges to 250cc-500cc engines, the brakes will always outperform the engine considering the above factor. Almost always with a margin of 30-40% higher efficiency..
The number can mean jackshit to you unless you are mathematically inclined, but the fact is that almost always you can stop close to twice as fast as you can practically accelerate.
Now thats something to say!
Imagine what if your brakes are low quality, the brake lines/cables are of poor quality or if the pads are known to wear irregularly (yes some models have that complaint)
That means that the most effective component of the motorcycle is not well designed in your make and model, what does that say about rest of the RnD of the motorcycle - food for thought!
Conclusion..??
Irrespective of all the above, brakes are still very important! And should always be a factor to b e considered while making an Educated and Researched Purchase of a Motorcycle!
And it becomes important to learn how to brake. Especially at different situations and that itself is an art deserving an article of its own (a shameless hook) do subscribe because an article on brake maintenance which everyone misses usually is coming out soon ;) Very Soon!
Jump onto to Facts/Myths about ABS which also have some eye opening videos showing how important brakes are!
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At first i would like to thank you for your articles. They are perfect.
ReplyDeleteNow i have a question, here you say that the 500cc bikes have the following
0-100kmph Usually around 3-5 seconds mark.
100-0kmph braking - 3-5 seconds as well!
the bikes below 500cc
0-100kmph in around 6+ realistic seconds.
100-0kmph in around 4-5 seconds thanks to super sticky Metzeler tyres.
Now if we consider that we need a greater force to stop the bike in the same time for a greater mass, this means that the brakes of a 500cc are much better than the ones of a <500cc. Why is that? I suppose that a Duke 390 should stop in less time than a much heavier bike (less time means also less distance).
I am glad that you like the articles, my friend.
DeleteAnd you are correct. In general terms, the +500cc brakes are better simply because of better engineering components being used in their brake train.
Braking distance will depend on a combination of factors. Braking power, weight, tire-road traction and suspension setup/dive.
Keeping the last two common assuming similar bike setup, it boils down to braking power and weight (inertia)
And even though the weight of the 390 is lesser, I believe that the shorter braking distance of +500cc bikes must attribute to their better braking components.
Thanks for your answer.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea about braking between 500cc and >1000cc bikes? Do the 1000cc still have the same or less time than the 500?
I know the question is general and of course the brand and all other factors will play a role to give an answer, but i'm asking what happens as an average of these two categories, if you have any idea.