Author Topic: Disengaging ABS for FREE  (Read 6473 times)

Rusty Shovel

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Disengaging ABS for FREE
« on: February 26, 2014, 08:21:48 pm »
I've read that the ABS on the 2014 can be disengaged simply by removing the three fuses associated with the ABS system.  Anyone give this a try yet?  It seems much more reasonable than buying a $120 dongle!
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truck11

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2014, 09:10:21 am »
Not that I want to throw more $$$ at this... but my understanding is that with the dongle, you can disengage just the rear ABS??   Thus leaving the front active.
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Rusty Shovel

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2014, 10:50:52 am »
but my understanding is that with the ****le, you can disengage just the rear ABS??   Thus leaving the front active.

First off, let me laugh with you over this forum's insistence that "don gle" is a word in need of censorship.  Rather than mess with the settings, for now, I'll just put a space in there.

Second, let me show my source:

http://allroadendurotouring.com/allroad-touring-enduros/light-adventure-touring-enduros/ktm-690-enduro-r-adventure-touring-enduro/

Here's the bit that got me thinking:

For now on the KTM 690 Enduro R 2014 has also anti-locking brake system ABS onboard due to the EU -regulations. Basically this kind of adventure touring bike hardly requires any ABS, quite the opposite and the experienced offroad riders do not appreciated it very much. The Bosch 9M ABS can be turned OFF from the instrumentation panel or optionally set into OFFROAD -mode with a plugin don gle. This means that the rear wheel can be fully locked while the front wheel is still under the ABS control which is good for most of us. The ABS is not perfect every single way and one thing that comes along, is the requirement of accuracy. The ABS fails to function properly with unauthorized tyres and rims or when there are repairs made with universal parts. Even low tyre pressure is able to confuse the ABS. When it happens, the ABS unit is automatically disengaged and the brake system itself remains functional. There are 3 fuses taking care of the ABS and I am sure that some of the 690R riders leave the plugs empty.

Not only is it cheaper to remove the fuses than installing a don gel, I think it's better. 

There is one advantage to leaving the front ABS intact, namely, it keeps the rider front getting overzealous with the front brake and sliding out in a corner. 

But I think this is offset by the disadvantage, namely, not being able to lock up the front tire upon losing forward momentum on a hill climb.  If you lock up the rear tire, you'll loop out.  If you can't lock up the front tire, you'll roll backwards out of control.  That would be a nightmare. 

KTM could perfect their ABS system by simply allowing their ABS enabled front brake to lock when rolling rearward, but as of yet their system can't tell the difference between forward and backward lockup.

Incidentally, I decided to test out the ABS on the street during a rainstorm.  I locked up the rear brake while approaching a stoplight.  I didn't like it.  I braked hard, the bike started to slow, but then the ABS kicked in AND THE BRAKES GAVE OUT!  I was no longer slowing!  I had to release the brakes and modulate them to a stop (as I've always done).  I've never had ABS on a bike.  I may pull those fuses and continue without them.
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Endo

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2014, 12:41:36 pm »
Hey so what is the verdict on the ABS for you guys that have it? Does it really suck that bad you feel the need to disengage it? Just curious.  ???

Alabama Adventurer

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2014, 10:21:55 pm »
So far on dry pavement I like it.  I had to do an emergency stop in traffic and it worked well.  More testing soon once it gets warmer!

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2014, 10:10:05 am »
I was riding gravel about 70MPH the other day and popped up over a hill, there were trees on the west side of the road, and there was ice covering the road.  I hit the brakes hard.  I felt the rear modulating a little bit.  The front never did.  I got the bike down to 30 or so before hitting the first section of ice picked a line pulled in the clutch and hoped for the best.  I made it through got to dry ground again hit the brakes hard again.  This time no modulation got down to 15 or so and rode through 50 feet of ice waiting for the bottom to slide out as it was following frozen ruts.  I made it through but it was definitely a butt pucker moment.

As of yet I have no problem with the ABS.  In fact I think keeping the rear from locking in this instance slowed me faster and I didn't have to think about it so that was a plus.  We'll see after some time.  It'll be nice when I can ride to work regularly.  It is currently -10 F yay!

doniton2

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2014, 03:26:31 pm »
OK so I went to my local dealership to pick up some stuff and had to ask the mechanic about this. He was telling me that the ABS shuts off at 7mph or lower. I haven’t tried it yet but have the perfect hill to try this out. I’m going to leave the ABS on and stop to see if it will hold the bike with just the front brake. Has anyone tried that? It won’t be until after Thanksgiving but I’ll let you know what happens.
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2008 Triumph 800xc
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Rusty Shovel

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2014, 03:07:42 pm »
...was telling me that the ABS shuts off at 7mph or lower. I haven’t tried it yet but have the perfect hill to try this out. I’m going to leave the ABS on and stop to see if it will hold the bike with just the front brake. ....I’ll let you know what happens.

Please do, and thanks for the info.
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Rokitt

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2014, 06:11:35 pm »
I would like to disenguage the ABS. If i were to remove the 3 fuses,would i be forced to see a constant ABS warning light ?

Rockitboy

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2014, 11:05:53 am »
I just don't see the problem with the ABS.. If you dont like it turn it off with the switch on the instrument cluster. Problem solved. I like the ABS for rain slick roads or even ice. A full blown panic stop may take longer but its also a lot easier to keep the bike up & in control if the wheels aren't locked up. I have hit both brakes as hard as possible on loose gravel at 60 mph & the bike tracks straight & stops quickly. Try that after you pull your fuses! Remember when your on the front brake really hard the rear tire has virtually no stopping power so why lock it up? When it's time to play turn the ABS off. You don't need ABS offroad, front or rear.
Nut up or shut up!

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2014, 08:21:48 pm »
Rockitboy,

I like it on the street too, and even on moderate dirt.  The problem for me is when you get a very steep down hill (rocky is the worst) and then you kill the engine and have to restart it quickly, you don't have the time to sit there and hold the button in.  I've never crashed because of it, the bike will stop it just takes longer; sometimes longer in a tenacious situations is not a good thing.  I just wait until the trail is clear and then push the button and hold it, but it can be a pain if you go through this a lot.

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Rokitt

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2014, 02:52:22 pm »
I personally feel more in control in the dirt if I can slide the rear tire. Pushing the button to disengage it is fine,but it resets back on when the ignition key is turned off and on. I can almost never remember to turn it back on untill i try to hit the back brake and it almost feels like the bike speeds up.

Philip Pino

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2014, 04:29:58 am »
Hey guys, I just installed the ABS dongle. Its main purpose is to allow you to save your ABS setting when you turn off the bike. Without the dongle, the ABS defaults to street mode.  The dongle also ads a completely disabled mode for the ABS, so you can lock up the front wheel, and allows you to use the "bad-fuel" map program.  The curious thing is the instructions say not to use the "bad-fuel" mapping for more than one tank of gas.
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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2014, 05:49:09 pm »
Good to know; thanks!  Did get get it from KTM directly?

Philip Pino

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Re: Disengaging ABS for FREE
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2014, 05:33:44 am »
I bought through my dealer when I purchased my bike.  Because I've bought bikes from them before the service manager hooked me up with parts and accessories at dealer price.  Otherwise I might not have bought it. I've got it installed but haven't had a chance to test all three modes of ABS.
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