ABS

[dockie]

Hi lads!
Just out of curiousity, how many people would choose the non ABS version if goin for the 1200GS? If so, why?
D.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Because you'd save £800 quid

 

[plasins]

No braking problems!

 

[earthmover]

Both of the above!

 

[dockie]

What about resale without ABS?

 

[mpriestley]

for some the lack of ABS can be regarded as a positive selling point........

 

[ag1s]

the problem is the servo not the ABS.
Servo without ABS is veeeeeery scary
ABS without servo probably the best option but don't know if it is available.

for some the lack of ABS can be regarded as a positive selling point........

 

[Chris iow]

I decided against ABS - never had it, seemed like something else to go wrong, and the brakes are brilliant anyway.

 

[Aurelius]

Hi lads!
Just out of curiousity, how many people would choose the non ABS version if goin for the 1200GS? If so, why?
D.

1. Greater reliability
2. Lower cost
3. Easier maintenance

 

[ELIMINATOR]

WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT

Why? 2 servo pumps replaced, that's why.

How long will they last, that's why.

How much do they cost, that's why.

Have you ever sqeezed the lever only to find that there are no brakes, that's why.

Have you had the warning lights come on AFTER the servo has packed up, that's why?

Might change my name by deed poll to something snappy like
ELIMINATED by ABS.

What do you think about that then Dr ABS?

 

[dockie]

Looks like a more hassle free option with enough money for a few tasty accessories, then? I was gonna go for an adv but at 5ft 6ins i guess i would struggle!!!!!!! I hope with all the teething troubles that i read about on here regarding the 12 wont appear on mine, but the general opinion appears to be "go for it, but non abs".................Will i ?

 

[Smalesy]

Absolutely with everytime.

Would put up with the cost, weight and occaisional reliability issue.

IMHO it strikes me that people think good brakes will stop them having an accident when in fact even average brakes are capable of putting a bike onto its front wheel or locking the rear wheel.

Generally panic is what puts them in difficulties in an unexpected situation and I suspect that really powerful brakes might actually make this worse.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

In that nasty car accident last week on the Oxford Eastern bypass (when the 3 kids were killed as well as one of the drivers of the 2 cars), what was less reported was a motorcyclist was also hurt when he fell off braking hard to avoid the accident. Bet he locked up the front in a bit of panic braking.

Paul

 

[Smalesy]

Absolutely, I am a police biker covering some of the most loved roads in the North of England. I work now as an instructor for the job bikes. In my experience of attending several hundred bike accidents panic braking whilst not going in a straight line is a common denominator in about 90%.

My personal view is that a perfect rider should spend the £750, ride their bike, enjoy it, moan like hell they don't fit ABS in the standard spec and never actually feel the system activate. But it's there, just in case for that once every 10yrs moment of inattention or misread bend.

Just my opinion, pleased to hear anything different.

 

[Pukmeister]

A very dear friend and work colleague called Andy was killed in the early 1990's due to a front wheel lock up in bad weather during an emergency stop. He slid into oncoming traffic and eyewitnesses claim he was killed instantly. He was an experienced rider and also a qualified advanced motorcycle instructor and in the prime of his life in his early 30's, having held a bike licence since he left school. I still feel a deep sense of loss that he is gone. Could ABS have saved him if the accident was repeated ? I guess no one really knows.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the effects of stopping in a shorter distance when in "bad weather" as a plus point for the ABS bike (or on a diesel covered road for that matter).

My GS has ABS and (touch wood) behaves well, the stoppers are phenomenal, though I regularly strip and clean the pads/pistons to keep it that way. I prefer the ABS model in the hope that I stay alive should I ever need it in anger. Lets hope it is never needed.

 

[North]

Hi,

I was willing to wait six extra weeks to get an ABS 1200. I know it is extra money and will cost more to service and so-on.

The bottom line is, bike riding is great, but I would be scared as hell if my kids got street bikes.

Anything that makes it less dangerous to ride is great. Where I live, it's Rain-City and Bad Drivers-ville. I feel better knowing that I have the ABS.

North

 

[plasins]

Re the recent posts, I think that its not anti ABS, but the ABS system fitted to the new generation of 1150/1200's i.e. the electronic servo's and the possibility of servo failure. I had a 02 non servo'd ABS GS before and I liked the system. If they kept that set up then I would have taken up the option again. I tried a couple of 1200's with servo's and I could not get on with them. thats why I waited until I could order a bike without the servo's. In answer to the points the raised above, then yes, ABS could have prevented the crash and they may stop you sooner in extreme braking circumstances........if the system worked.

Vic