I still think this is more likely a problem with the rider's unfamiliarity with the system than the system itself.
That's it Greywolf! I take back all the good I said about you!!
I'm riding 12-years, many different bikes, different makes, and different sizes. I'm very aware of mostly utilising the front brake at higher speeds, and almost exclusively rear brake only at low speeds. At higher speeds in an emergency, however, one may need to use both brakes.
I've been commuting on the V-Strom a year now, and never had any issue with the ABS, and it worked perfectly... Until.. I replaced the stator & rectifier/regulator a few weeks ago.. Since the recent replacements, although the electrical system is now fantastic(!), there's a definite change with the ABS system. Let me try explain a bit better..
At higher speeds...
When I put my foot on the rear brake, the pads engage the disk, and the bike begins to decelerate.
If I shift down a gear, the ABS engages. Immediately the foot brake is forced upward about 4". My heel is forced off the peg. And only then the 1" ABS pulse kicks in. The brake lever goes from ~40 degrees downward, to ~40 deg upward, and then starts pulsing. When this happens, no matter how hard I push on it, I can't even get the foot pedal to the horizontal position, and I get little-or-no deceleration.
Admittedly, since completing the electrical job, my clutch adjustment is a little tight. I'll loosen it up to see if it makes any difference.. But clutch adjustment is really just that... Adjustment. I seriously doubt if it will have any bearing on the issue in hand.
It's a 2011 model DL650A (that wasn't sold until 2012, when it was registered and placed on the road.) Profile updated to show the right bike.
Thanks mjc506, I'll perform those diagnostics and will let you know (unfortunately am away next week, so it'll be 2-weeks before I'll get around to it). I have the service manual. ABS light works correctly, and extinguishes appropriately. But now you mention it, something I did notice was the ABS light was usually on before I replaced the electrical equipment - but I had attributed this to the battery and system power being low. Even when I had the worst of the electrical issues, perhaps there may not have been enough in the system to power the ABS, but when there was, the ABS always worked fine.
Sounds like the unregulated or unrectified voltage that fried your batteries has damaged the ABS control unit.
Hope I'm wrong.
Jeez, I hope you're wrong too. Admittedly, and reluctantly, it does sound plausible.
Maybe I should bite the bullet and drop Vanessa the V-Strom into the Suzuki garage while I'm away. I would rather stick needles in my eyes though!
Thanks again folks!