To ABS or not to ABS?

[sky_sailor]

Don, I've never ridden off road, and now that I can probably afford something like a DR650 (GS's are just out of reach, and too heavy for me, not to mention too tall..) I wouldn't bounce back like I did when I was 20! I do have DS tyres on my Bandit, though.
I would buy ABS, but I wouldn't go out and buy a new bike just to get it. The '07 I'm picking up in the spring may well be the last bike I'll buy....maybe not....but don't tell my wife. Okay?
Very good discussion.

[qfman]

Just another angle on this discussion that fascinates me: the general motorcycling population -'the market' - and the manufacturers seem to be very slow to get on the ABS bandwagon. The vast majority of motorcycles and scooters sold in first world countries today do not have ABS. However it's becoming almost impossible to buy a motor car without ABS. I can't think of a manufacturer in Australia that charges 1c extra - let alone 10% of the sticker price - for ABS. That's because ABS and airbags are the rule for cars rather than an option.

Maybe when the manufacturers like BMW, Triumph and Honda get serious about ABS we will find it on all of their range. By serious I mean that ABS should be standard or a no-cost delete option; it should be invisible to the user and it should require almost no servicing.

I guess the difference is that a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous mode of transport. It is generally used by people who enjoy the challenge of keeping an unstable gadget upright. Correct braking technique is just another skill that has to be developed. So whilst the majority on this forum can see the benefits of ABS (including me) we are a tiny percentage of the motorcycling population riding a tiny percentage of the world's bikes. We have a long way to go to catch up with the auto industry.

Another thing - waiting around 5 seconds for ABS to 'self-check' before I could start it up and then having powered brakes and ABS not available because a tail-light bulb has failed is what I call an under-developed system. No car owner would tolerate it yet that's what an extra $1800 bought me on my R1150R.



Tom

[Kieran R1200R]

[quote="sky_sailor]I must wonder how many of us survived the era before ABS? I feel very comfortable without ABS, perhaps because I'm older, and wiser?

I tried to stay out of this because it's degenerated into a debate about the worth of ABS and has wandered from the original question:
Are there people out there who may be riding one without ABS that could comment on their experiences?
Addressed to the people riding without ABS.

As far as surviving the era before ABS. I can't tell where sky_sailor lives (no name or location in profile) but in the Northeast twenty years ago (pre-ABS) the traffic was a lot lighter, people had some (admittedly only some) respect for the other drivers on the road, people weren't using cell phones or texting, most motorcycles could barely get over the ton, and reflexes were a lot faster (speaking for myself).
ABS is just another feature in the evolution of the motorcycle, it follows suspension on both ends, electric starters, tubeless tires, hydraulic disk brakes, synthetic lubricants, halogen headlights, electronic ignition, fuel injection and a few I forgot. Many when they were introduced were condemned as stupid, unnecessary or taking away the TRUE essence of the motorcycle, but all of them allowed the young fast guys (with something to prove) and the old experienced guys (who just want to see what's over the next hill) ride longer (in years and miles) and safer.
I would imagine in the near future ABS and some kind of traction control will be as common on road bikes as electronic ignition or fuel injection.[/quote][/quote]

+1
We have got away from the original question, but I reckon there wouldn't be to many R1200R's owned without ABS.
For the people that don't have ABS and manage that's great, I don't think anyone is pointing a finger.
I have to agree that in the last 10 years the amount of cars on the road has doubled. Even my favourite roads are getting to busy with traffic.
I know this because it has saved my arse. In a emergancy, and you go for a handfull of front brake, ABS will stop your front wheel from locking up and stop the front wheel from washing away from under you!

[Steve H.]

I ordered my2012R as abase modell,naked no nothing of extras on it.At high speeds,braking method:applying rear brake a littlebit beside the engine braking,and doing the main braking on front brake.Doing this scince 1972,started at that time on a 49cc moped.
At low speed manuvering,using engine brake,and-or rear brake only.The main important think in biking is the same as in truck driving:"Aim high in stearing"or look far in the traffice.See (read)the taffic.Major rull in truck driving.The highway truck will never ever stop in a short distance as a car.If you keeping to this simpel rull on your bike,you should bee ok.If your ABS kiks in on your bike,or car you are not driving according to road/traffice condition.= Low profile driving.ABS should bee your last escape,not a regular use.A relly good driver NEVER let ABS to kik in.Acting BEFORE that last opportunity of ABS.IE.slowing down,braking.In the rain,slowing down to a reasonable speed especially on bike.Personally I am not bikeing below 4C or40F.Black ice etc.
Driving truck in Canada and USA many times I see people texting on cellphones,puting up makeups,eating muffins or hamburgers,and READING newspapers!!! I can see that sitting in the truck,perfect wiew into passing cars,suvs.Vell,gentlemans those people really need ABS.In thousands of cases even that is not enough.

Steve H

[mogu83]

I must be one of those inattentive,unskilled,distracted and uncaring motorists because I truly believe having ABS on a vehicle greatly enhances my chances of coming back home when I go out for a ride/drive. (Sorry Mom - I couldn't help myself)

[Steve H.]

I do NOT intended to kritisize anybodis skill of driving.Ser,that is the fact I see on the road day by day.Driving 130,000mls/year in truck.+car+bike.Spending my life on north american roads.Gipsi's life,wondering all over the continent.
ABS is definetly a wery good think to have.BUT if you relay onto your ABS help,You are pushing to upper limit.Well, that is up to YOU.ABS can give a lots of help,in desperate situations.Definitelly.Are you really want to push to that limit??If you want to.....that is up to you

BRGRDS
Steve H

[Steve H.]

Dear mogu83,
That poor women in Kenora,ON Canada have had a really bad accident,but she did a mayor mistake.On the ice ABS will not help a lot.SLOW DOWN is the solution.Don E.is right.In desperate situation like this /sliding downhill,ABS worth NOTHING/best thing to do is steer down the road,threes are going to stop you,hopefully staying alive.At leest.No matter of material damege,but lives are saved.That is the most important.

Steve/northumberlander

[Steve H.]

mogu83,
please convince me if I am wrong!

Bee safe,
Steve H.

[mogu83]

No right or wrong here. The OP was asking for opinions,and everyone has their own.