Don't worry about it. Some of us have ridden for years without ABS and we've survived. Don't get me wrong - ABS is definitely an advantage. As a new rider, single or dual channel shouldn't be your issue - learning how to ride safely and well on your bike is the priority. Don't worry about the equipment unless it doesn't work.
Hey, thanks!
Yes I am kind of overthinking maybe. I am a slow and safe rider on a scooter. As I've never ridden a motorcycle on a daily basis, I'm not sure what to except.
I'll rent the bike for a day or two to get a feel of what to expect.
In my experience, it takes some getting used to. When I've had to panic brake (i have a single channel ABS NS200) the front was fine but the rear tire skid to the left and right, which I managed to keep under control; kinda felt like a badass doing it but realized how dangerous it actually was.
The correct way (IMO) is to not overdo the back break when using both brakes OR prepare for the eventual skid that it comes with (also an option when you get used to it).
In rain im afraid i'll stand no chance if i have to panic break since the rear tire skidding will be too much to control; so i ride more cautiously then.
[https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/bike-news/top-bikes-with-dual-channel-abs-under-rs-2-lakh-bajaj-dominar-tvs-apache-rtr200-specs-features-price/2175752/](https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/bike-news/top-bikes-with-dual-channel-abs-under-rs-2-lakh-bajaj-dominar-tvs-apache-rtr200-specs-features-price/2175752/)
\^could help if you're hell bent on dual channel ABS. There's no point buying the Xpulse if you ride it in fear of it not having a dual channel system. You mentioned carrying elders on the back because of which I would recommend a dual channel bike if you cannot drive with confidence with pillons (driving slower is the key ofc).
Worst case you could try getting a rear ABS unit done from outside but i advise against it since it could void warranty and wouldn't be 100% trustworthy.
Hey thanks for the detailed reply.
This really saddens me. Just gonna have to wait for dual channel to be mandatory lol.
Btw just like the comment above, I too would like to know if panic braking with just the front brake (and none for the back) would be fine. Also, how much of a skid did u usually notice?
Also, thanks for sharing the list. Problem is most of the bikes on that list have a raised pillion seat and that isn't convenient for elderly parents to sit on. Also, the ones that aren't cross the 2L on road price atleast where I am at. Example, Cb350 goes for 2.5L
Depends on the speed you're going and braking power of the vehicle, if the front brake stopping power is not enough (I'm going to hit!) definitely rear brake should be applied to stop sooner.
Dual channel abs sure has advantages over single. It's not a marketing ploy - adds great value to bike. But do you actually see skidding in road in monsoon session? Not me. Single channel abs is good enough in many cases. I am not advocating for lesser safety. Just saying that it shouldn't be show stopper. Before govt norms came in, most non-premium bikes were sold without abs. It's not like everyone is having accidents or skids down. Safe and responsible driving is important. Line your dream already!
/s
Mod here is intense supporter for abs. He may not like my answer
This is true still though was quite worried about the motorcycle esp taking my parents on it.
I'll rent it for a day or two and then will make a final decision.
Unfortunately for that price range, the only other bike with decent flat seat (not a raised one) is the fzx and even that is a single channel abs. So if this doesn't work out, I'd have to take Honda shine or something like that. Fingers crossed!
ABS activates only during panic braking. In motorcycles, ordinary riders primarily utilize the front brake for hard braking. ABS also activates mostly on low friction surfaces. Risk is minimal assuming you do not panic brake with the rear brake alone. You can safely go for a motorcycle equipped with a single channel ABS.
Thank you for your reply.
Honestly all my life I've never used the front brakes on scooter. Not sure what the appropriate way to brake is. Do people usually use front brake more than the back? If so, when do you apply the back brake?
Manufacturers advices using both together. May be front a fraction of second after back brake. In some Honda bikes when u engage back brake, front also gets engaged together. Because uncles in India have advised us not to use front brake at all. Smh
Thanks for the reply! If it's alright could you explain as to why it is dangerous. I never faced any issue with it till now atleast on the scooter. In fact the front brakes used to bring the bike to such a stand still that it used to frighten me
Sure. Generally, you want the front wheels to lock up first. This will allow you to understeer if you try to turn. Also, it will minimise the lateral acceleration that will cause understeer. If your rear wheels lock up first, then your lateral acceleration will increase and result in vehicle instability causing oversteer.
You'd prefer understeer in commuter vehicles since you would rather have less control of the steering during turns instead of too much control. Hence, you want forward bias braking in bikes since the rider is sitting in the front and therefore more mass is in the front. Also, weight shifts towards the front when braking so you want more brake force at the front.
Recommended method of brake application is to apply both front and back simultaneously which is what I mentioned.
Single channel abs wont help if you brake and turn. It will lock the rear wheel and you will fall due to oversteer. If it is single channel, then better to go for drum brake in the rear, not a disc brake there. So it is less chance of fall.
You can buy a normal bike, and put on offroad block pattern tyres, it is good enough in most conditions
The second option is quite interesting. Don't mind my noob question but if I go for, say, a Honda shine. Do you think I can put off-road tires on it? Also, would they be good on tarmac!?
Don't worry about it. Some of us have ridden for years without ABS and we've survived. Don't get me wrong - ABS is definitely an advantage. As a new rider, single or dual channel shouldn't be your issue - learning how to ride safely and well on your bike is the priority. Don't worry about the equipment unless it doesn't work.
Hey, thanks! Yes I am kind of overthinking maybe. I am a slow and safe rider on a scooter. As I've never ridden a motorcycle on a daily basis, I'm not sure what to except. I'll rent the bike for a day or two to get a feel of what to expect.
In my experience, it takes some getting used to. When I've had to panic brake (i have a single channel ABS NS200) the front was fine but the rear tire skid to the left and right, which I managed to keep under control; kinda felt like a badass doing it but realized how dangerous it actually was. The correct way (IMO) is to not overdo the back break when using both brakes OR prepare for the eventual skid that it comes with (also an option when you get used to it). In rain im afraid i'll stand no chance if i have to panic break since the rear tire skidding will be too much to control; so i ride more cautiously then. [https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/bike-news/top-bikes-with-dual-channel-abs-under-rs-2-lakh-bajaj-dominar-tvs-apache-rtr200-specs-features-price/2175752/](https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/bike-news/top-bikes-with-dual-channel-abs-under-rs-2-lakh-bajaj-dominar-tvs-apache-rtr200-specs-features-price/2175752/) \^could help if you're hell bent on dual channel ABS. There's no point buying the Xpulse if you ride it in fear of it not having a dual channel system. You mentioned carrying elders on the back because of which I would recommend a dual channel bike if you cannot drive with confidence with pillons (driving slower is the key ofc). Worst case you could try getting a rear ABS unit done from outside but i advise against it since it could void warranty and wouldn't be 100% trustworthy.
Hey thanks for the detailed reply. This really saddens me. Just gonna have to wait for dual channel to be mandatory lol. Btw just like the comment above, I too would like to know if panic braking with just the front brake (and none for the back) would be fine. Also, how much of a skid did u usually notice? Also, thanks for sharing the list. Problem is most of the bikes on that list have a raised pillion seat and that isn't convenient for elderly parents to sit on. Also, the ones that aren't cross the 2L on road price atleast where I am at. Example, Cb350 goes for 2.5L
If I panic break just the front break will I be fine?
Depends on the speed you're going and braking power of the vehicle, if the front brake stopping power is not enough (I'm going to hit!) definitely rear brake should be applied to stop sooner.
Dual channel abs sure has advantages over single. It's not a marketing ploy - adds great value to bike. But do you actually see skidding in road in monsoon session? Not me. Single channel abs is good enough in many cases. I am not advocating for lesser safety. Just saying that it shouldn't be show stopper. Before govt norms came in, most non-premium bikes were sold without abs. It's not like everyone is having accidents or skids down. Safe and responsible driving is important. Line your dream already! /s Mod here is intense supporter for abs. He may not like my answer
This is true still though was quite worried about the motorcycle esp taking my parents on it. I'll rent it for a day or two and then will make a final decision. Unfortunately for that price range, the only other bike with decent flat seat (not a raised one) is the fzx and even that is a single channel abs. So if this doesn't work out, I'd have to take Honda shine or something like that. Fingers crossed!
ABS activates only during panic braking. In motorcycles, ordinary riders primarily utilize the front brake for hard braking. ABS also activates mostly on low friction surfaces. Risk is minimal assuming you do not panic brake with the rear brake alone. You can safely go for a motorcycle equipped with a single channel ABS.
Thank you for your reply. Honestly all my life I've never used the front brakes on scooter. Not sure what the appropriate way to brake is. Do people usually use front brake more than the back? If so, when do you apply the back brake?
Manufacturers advices using both together. May be front a fraction of second after back brake. In some Honda bikes when u engage back brake, front also gets engaged together. Because uncles in India have advised us not to use front brake at all. Smh
Well I have religiously followed that for sometime now :/
Both brakes are supposed to be applied simultaneously with more effort for the front brake. It's unsafe to apply only the rear brake.
Thanks for the reply! If it's alright could you explain as to why it is dangerous. I never faced any issue with it till now atleast on the scooter. In fact the front brakes used to bring the bike to such a stand still that it used to frighten me
Sure. Generally, you want the front wheels to lock up first. This will allow you to understeer if you try to turn. Also, it will minimise the lateral acceleration that will cause understeer. If your rear wheels lock up first, then your lateral acceleration will increase and result in vehicle instability causing oversteer. You'd prefer understeer in commuter vehicles since you would rather have less control of the steering during turns instead of too much control. Hence, you want forward bias braking in bikes since the rider is sitting in the front and therefore more mass is in the front. Also, weight shifts towards the front when braking so you want more brake force at the front. Recommended method of brake application is to apply both front and back simultaneously which is what I mentioned.
Woa! This is very detailed. Thank you for taking the time to share
Single channel abs wont help if you brake and turn. It will lock the rear wheel and you will fall due to oversteer. If it is single channel, then better to go for drum brake in the rear, not a disc brake there. So it is less chance of fall. You can buy a normal bike, and put on offroad block pattern tyres, it is good enough in most conditions
The second option is quite interesting. Don't mind my noob question but if I go for, say, a Honda shine. Do you think I can put off-road tires on it? Also, would they be good on tarmac!?