ABS or No ABS that is the question...

[Motorcycle_Girl]

I am looking for some input on your feelings regarding ABS. I will be buying a 2009 R1200R in the spring and I am debating on the ABS option. It appears that I have to purchase the Safety package to get ABS.

Safety Package:
Tire Pressure Control
Automatic Stability Control
ABS Brakes

Is it really worth it?

Thanks

[ka5ysy]

ABS is literally life insurance. In that "OH CRAP" moment, it will give you a good chance of steering around problems without dumping the bike if you grab the brakes to hard. They are worth every penny when you need them. If you want to save money, lose the ASC or TPC and keep the ABS.

I can tell you that the RR will stop in 105 feet from 60mph without any complaints and no surprises. It is a fine ABS. Only thing that is negative about it is that, unlike the GS bikes, the RR cannot switch off the ABS for low traction situations like gravel, sand or mud, which makes for entertainment when going down hills and trying to use brakes (they release!). Fix is to use engine braking in this situation.

[chou1223]

I sugget you to buy the safty package, because if you would like to add the optional in the future, it would be very difficult even you cost doubble. And trust me, it worth. Safty can't value with money. And BMW costs thousands times than what you paid to develop the equipment.

[icecave]

Piling on...get the ABS before anything else. Motoraad mag did a ABS review including the R1200R (top or near the top in all categories). Their recommendation was to get ABS also. Even the pros are not as good at the ABS in all weather, all road surfaces.

[deilenberger]

Needing the ABS and having it - just once - priceless.

I won't ride or buy a bike without it - and you'll find many BMW riders are the same, making the market for a used BMW without ABS very limited. BMW-NA was almost giving away brand new '05 R1200ST's they brought over without ABS, as late as 2007. The final deal was for about $9,000 and take the bike away. You had to be a dealer/relative/employee to get the deal - but it was way below cost for NA. They just couldn't sell them.

[tobes]

The ABS saved my butt earlier this year. I won’t get another bike without it.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

If you want to save money, lose the ASC or TPC and keep the ABS.

I do not know if I can just get the ABS separately...I will have to ask...

[mogu83]

I can't imagine buying a street bike without ABS, I'm sure it saved my butt once and maybe twice in the last two seasons. On the other hand it would be nice to turn it off on occasion ( like a GS). Stopping in the dirt (downhill) and dirt roads with gravel can be a problem with ABS, but I guess BMW didn't think people would be pounding their Urban bike down back country roads. It really goes crazy when you do a rather quick stop on a gravel road, I would like the ability to lock the back wheel and slide to a stop.
Surprising enough the Guzzi Norge (basically an RT clone) has the ability to turn the ABS off.

[MJB]

I have ABS, ASC, and TPC on my bike
I believe these items can not be installed after the fact. Some will say you can get the ABS after purchase, but the cost would be too great, and I'm not sure if it would perform the exact same way as factory installed.

You can but a third party Tire Pressure Monitor, but if you read some of the threads here, is still under review.

I bought my bike with the 3 safety options, and I am quite happy.
I would do it again.

[deilenberger]

I can't imagine buying a street bike without ABS, I'm sure it saved my butt once and maybe twice in the last two seasons. On the other hand it would be nice to turn it off on occasion ( like a GS). Stopping in the dirt (downhill) and dirt roads with gravel can be a problem with ABS, but I guess BMW didn't think people would be pounding their Urban bike down back country roads. It really goes crazy when you do a rather quick stop on a gravel road, I would like the ability to lock the back wheel and slide to a stop.
Surprising enough the Guzzi Norge (basically an RT clone) has the ability to turn the ABS off.

Harry - there has been a source advertising the GS switch assembly, which includes an ABS/off button on Ebay. $25. From Israel (free shipping I think..) If you want to buy it - we could find out if the rest of the wiring is there to enable it.. or if it works simply as a CANBUS controller and no additional wiring is needed.

Here's the item: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0325142363

DISCLAIMER - I have no idea if this would work on an R - and I'm trying to sucker Harry into buying one so we can find out..

[curmudgeon]

I would suggest getting the ABS brakes even if you have to give up some other option - no matter how good a rider you are sooner or later they'll kick in and help you out of dodgy situation. I rode a `00 R1150GS from 2000 until 2007 and while I may not have been aware of every instance the ABS engaged the few times I do remember made me glad I had them. The ABS helped me avoid one potentially life-threatening event where a tractor made an unforeseen left turn in front me, in another I was going downhill on a steep mountain road with a loose surface where I could feel the ABS kicking in and out on the rear even though I was only very lightly applying the brakes to help control speed.

If you're going to the trouble of ordering a R1200R vs. picking one off the floor I would budget your money for options with ABS being #1 and other options with your left over budget. The way people drive these days makes ABS very attractive considering most cagers are texting, eating, shaving, applying make-up, watching movies, futzing with the Nav. system, and generally doing anything BUT paying attention to their driving. Good luck!

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Thanks everyone for your input. I was expecting those answers....and you are right. The first time they kick in in an emergency situation they have paid for themselves.

I spoke to the dealer last night. Now I just have to wait until the spring to go for my test ride and order my new bike...at least I can pass the time on this forum learning...

Celeste

[vodka]

Hi M/C girl.
Just in case anyone has missed the new guy from across the Pacific, I've just ordered 1200R. First thing every one told me was go for the ABS if nothing else. Soon it will be mandatrory in Europe,so I read. All the ride reviews of the 1200R in the Aussie mags pumped for the ABS,without exception. I know I have locked the brakes when the situation didnt ask for it...whew. Its very hard to gently engage then squeeze hard without the quick grip of impending death.
I read an accident review that stated most M/c collisions are straight into the obstructing object,little vearing/leaning if any and most often a substantial skid mark.On the road where most nasty accidents happen : ABS =no skid,shorter stopping...period
Also who wouldnt have them in a car or even turns them off??

[LumpyCam]

It's not the times you expect it that ABS saves you most, such as approaching a stopped car while traveling quickly. Most good riders can accurately finesse the brakes when prepared.

You'll appreciate ABS seconds after you avoid a close-call and realize, "holey cr@p, that was black sand all over the road and i never even saw it..."

[Bill Stevenson]

I have had ABS on every BMW I have purchased since 1989 when I bought a K100RS-ABS special. I have over 200K miles of riding on ABS equipped Beemers. At one time or another every one of those bikes had the ABS engage, not often but often enough. This seems to happen to me when least expected. In dry, controlled tests, a proficient rider can stop a bike faster without ABS, this has been proven many times. The problem is that on the road, in an emergency stop situation, the instinct is to grab the brakes fast and hard. If the front wheel locks, down you go. There is also the peace-of-mind factor. Think rainy night, impaired vision, submerged manhole cover, and sudden appearance of an obstacle. ABS can save your life. Believe it because it is true. BMW is the pioneer in ABS for motorcycles and their newest version is the best system on the market from all accounts. Take advantage of this feature by specifying it for your new bike. You will be glad you did.

Regards,

Bill

[Dauntless]

It appears that I have to purchase the Safety package to get ABS.

Safety Package:
Tire Pressure Control
Automatic Stability Control
ABS Brakes

Is it really worth it?

Thanks

All options available in the packages are available separately. I recommend getting ABS.

You can probably drive a hard bargain and get your bike with a bunch of options for what you figured on paying. Even in my area, which is supposed to be recession resistant, the signs of a feeble economy are clearly evident. Where are you located?

[socalrob]

Boy, a couple of years ago all h-ll would break out when anybody posted "the ABS question".

I would get ABS on any bike its offered on. I have a Ducati Hypermotard S model, it has the same brake calipers with slightly smaller diameter rotors that the Ducati 1098S has. The Hyper is a sub 400lb bike and the brakes will stop you right now. So right now that its not too uncommon for new riders to wash out the front end. Its really easy (and fun) to do stoppies with these brakes and the front weight bias of the Hyper. I like the brakes just the way they are, but a rider does need to be very aware of their power. With ABS the arguement against is that the rider tends to not learn threashold braking and may in fact rely on the ABS and not practice emergency braking so much. On my GSA1200 with the same ABS system as the R1200R, I frequently emergency brake on the freeway offramp by my house. I often engage the ABS to see where the limit is. I don't understand riders who say "I've never felt the ABS engage". In a perfect non emergency world I can stop a bit shorter on my Hyper. The GSA will not stoppie with the ABS, so I figure there is a little braking power being left or not used. Of course, in a "Oh Sh--" moment, on real world street surfaces, I doubt I will be able to use that last bit of unused braking power the ABS throws away, so in the end, I too would get the ABS if I had the choice.

Does the R1200R stoppie with ABS?

[ka5ysy]

Does the R1200R stoppie with ABS?

No... not possible. Just a nice ABS rattle from under the seat !. In a straight-line full ABS stop, it feels a lot like a trap landing on a carrier.. your eyeballs kinda pop out then spring back. Really cool !

[Phillo]

I can do without all the other crap but I will have ABS on any bike I buy in future, it's stopped me from coming second more than a few times so if you don't have anything else go for the ABS & heated grips.

[Bill Stevenson]

I can't remember the last time this group reached perfect agreement.