Is ABS a dealbreaker on this one?

[Boatfip]

Thanks for all the responses... very interesting debate!

I've bought the bike, and looking forward to a ride in the Yorkshire Dales in July and a trip to France in August.

Can't wait!

 

[Engineer]

Lack of ABS is definitely not a deal breaker - in fact is should be a deal maker.

People get very worked up about ABS but I don't see why, there is no high quality definitive research that concludes that ABS on a bike makes it significantly safer - because of this people go by their limited personal experience which by its nature is extremely subjective.

My personal view is that given the choice I would always go for a bike without ABS - the dynamics of a bike in any particular situation are far too complex to think that something as crude as ABS is always a good thing.

I had an off last September caused by a middle aged American in a hire car - he turned across my path with absolutely no notice whatsoever, luckily I was going slowly because it was rush hour. I instinctively braked hard when I saw the car turn in front of me, a few yards from the car the bike went down (locked front wheel) and slid the last few yards and hardly touched the car - if the bike had been fitted with ABS it would have stayed upright, 'ran-on' and hit the car squarely in the passenger door with me still on board which would have been far more damaging to me and the bike - as it was the only damage the bike received was cosmetic, mirror, lever, screen and lightly scratched pannier lids and crash bars. I got away with a bruised hip (from bumping over a cats eye).

I am sure that ABS works in some situations, but I suspect that in those situations the rider could have done something about it anyway - so I remain unconvinced by the whole compulsory ABS thing.

 

[APE]

if the bike had been fitted with ABS it would have stayed upright, 'ran-on' and hit the car squarely in the passenger door with me still on board which would have been far more damaging to me and the bike - as it was the only damage the bike received was cosmetic, mirror, lever, screen and lightly scratched pannier lids and crash bars.

or maybe it would have stopped in time

 

[Myke Rocks]

I have only one thing to say!

Lack of ABS is definitely not a deal breaker - in fact is should be a deal maker.

People get very worked up about ABS but I don't see why, there is no high quality definitive research that concludes that ABS on a bike makes it significantly safer - because of this people go by their limited personal experience which by its nature is extremely subjective.

My personal view is that given the choice I would always go for a bike without ABS - the dynamics of a bike in any particular situation are far too complex to think that something as crude as ABS is always a good thing.

I had an off last September caused by a middle aged American in a hire car - he turned across my path with absolutely no notice whatsoever, luckily I was going slowly because it was rush hour. I instinctively braked hard when I saw the car turn in front of me, a few yards from the car the bike went down (locked front wheel) and slid the last few yards and hardly touched the car - if the bike had been fitted with ABS it would have stayed upright, 'ran-on' and hit the car squarely in the passenger door with me still on board which would have been far more damaging to me and the bike - as it was the only damage the bike received was cosmetic, mirror, lever, screen and lightly scratched pannier lids and crash bars. I got away with a bruised hip (from bumping over a cats eye).

I am sure that ABS works in some situations, but I suspect that in those situations the rider could have done something about it anyway - so I remain unconvinced by the whole compulsory ABS thing.

Bollocks!

 

[Engineer]

or maybe it would have stopped in time

Nope not enough distance and the bike was heeled over going around a slight bend - so ABS would have been totally ineffective, this is what I mean about the dynamics of any situation being too complex for ABS, cars don't lean over so it is simpler to analyse, the same ideas cannot be used on a bike.

 

[Engineer]

Bollocks!

As a professional amateur, that was a very considered reply, well done

 

[Bobbin-Man]

there is no high quality definitive research that concludes that ABS on a bike makes it significantly safer .......

........ if the bike had been fitted with ABS it would have stayed upright, 'ran-on' and hit the car squarely in the passenger door with me still on board which would have been far more damaging to me and the bike

 

[red1]

Bollocks!

+1 for common sense

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

or maybe it would have stopped in time

Braking with ABS 'coming-on' & actively engaged - increases distance covered, not reduces it

 

[Captain Black]

Not everyone is blessed with your incredible skill......

I'd say knowing how to brake on a bike was the most basic of skills.

 

[APE]

I've sat on both sides of the fence and have had ABS for only the last two years out of 25 riding. Heard all the arguments either way a million times. I speced it this time cos I was commuting 50 miles a day all year round half of which was in heavy traffic into the City. Bottom line for me was those dark wet mornings - its just a back up - nothing more nothing less ....

 

[casperfelix]

I think they should ban ABS, traction control, air-bags, parachutes, seat belts etc etc - the list is endless. Frankly good riders, drivers and pilots don't need these faddy safety inconveniences - they 'feel' their way while adopting the Buddhist theory of Karma - sort of 'what will be will be'.
Just don't take a ride with them!

 

[Bobbin-Man]

I think they should ban ABS, traction control, air-bags, parachutes, seat belts etc etc - the list is endless. Frankly good riders, drivers and pilots don't need these faddy safety inconveniences - they 'feel' their way while adopting the Buddhist theory of Karma - sort of 'what will be will be'.
Just don't take a ride with them!

Couldn't have said it better!

 

[JayC]

I think they should ban ABS, traction control, air-bags, parachutes, seat belts etc etc - the list is endless. Frankly good riders, drivers and pilots don't need these faddy safety inconveniences - they 'feel' their way while adopting the Buddhist theory of Karma - sort of 'what will be will be'.
Just don't take a ride with them!

Perhaps there lies the problem - everyone thinks they're a good driver!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think they should ban ABS, traction control, air-bags, parachutes, seat belts etc etc - the list is endless. Frankly good riders, drivers and pilots don't need these faddy safety inconveniences - they 'feel' their way while adopting the Buddhist theory of Karma - sort of 'what will be will be'.
Just don't take a ride with them!

And this time last year..............................you rode with me

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

If you feel the need for ABS it's no good owning an Airhead, I'm in the camp that wouldn't have ABS or any of the other electronic 'toys'.............it's something else to go wrong.........but that's a purely personal opinion. I don't own anything with ABS..............never have, I've had to drive things with it on and don't like it..............often comes on far too soon, I've just spent two weeks in Greece in a new Fiesta and it was awful on gravel roads.............even driving gently. I'm not aware of ABS being problematical on 1200's other than wearing out rear pads, but it certainly can be on 1150's, been involved in taking at least four sets off as an uneconomic repair.

 

[cookie]

i thought most folks are agreed that an ABS braked bike will stop quicker than one sliding on it's side

 

[red1]

i thought most folks are agreed that an ABS braked bike will stop quicker than one sliding on it's side

Only if the rider is skilled enough to keep hold of the bike and use his arse as additional brake friction material during the slide.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

i thought most folks are agreed that an ABS braked bike will stop quicker than one sliding on it's side

I wouldn't know, I'm off to join the IAM to see what their views are on ABS

 

[Tbolt]

Thanks for all the responses... very interesting debate!

I've bought the bike, and looking forward to a ride in the Yorkshire Dales in July and a trip to France in August.

Can't wait!

Welcome and I hope you enjoy the new bike.

I have a non ABS and very happy with it. The brakes are not as powerful as the linked servo (ABS) of my old 1150RT or the Harris Billet 6 + ABS I had on an FJ1200.

I also have the option to do all the servicing myself.


If I needed ABS before I got on a bike I would not ride bikes