Is ABS really needed??

[CRPINTO]

In Portugal the gs 12 comes only with ABS, wicth increases the price, my question is, do you thing is essencial to have it?? Although being know, ABS could make the diference in extreme situations, the fact is i´havent read very good critics to the gs 12 braking system..

Cheers..

 

[John Armstrong]

ABS is like insurance, you don't want to pay for it until you need it. So it's not essential just a nice to have really. As for it being criticised, take out all the Oprah Hazard / Br ABS Brake / Nemezis posts and most people are happy with the operation most of the time, IMHO. Whether it's overly complicated is another matter. I've had it on all the BM's since I got a second hand 1100 GS with it 5 years ago, and look for it when I buy them now. It's probably been used in anger a half a dozen times, which, if it stops me crashing it's worked out cheaper than insurance excesses and increased premiums. Of course you shouldn't rely on it, and in some of my cases I could have prevented the need if I'd been a bit more carefull. But I don't ride along thinking that the ABS will get me out of any "problem" I might encounter. HTH.

 

[Davel]

It's not essential and you don't ride harder or faster knowing that you've got it, but it is reassuring to know it's there should you ever need it.

 

[Fitzy]

Yes just before you skid on that wet patch.

 

[Engineer]

In Portugal the gs 12 comes only with ABS, wicth increases the price, my question is, do you thing is essencial to have it?? Although being know, ABS could make the diference in extreme situations, the fact is i´havent read very good critics to the gs 12 braking system..

Cheers..

It is not essential.

 

[Greg Masters]

It is not essential.

...but highly desirable!

Greg

 

[wolfboy]

Interesting, I test rode and Adventure and a 1200GS, the ADv without ABS, I felt better connected and much more fluent, with the non abs bike. The ABS bike there was just a bit of lag, which I would probably get used to, but was still disconcerting.

The ABS would probably save my neck when I would be having a dozy day, but I just prefer the feel of the non abs bike.

The ideal would be a non servo abs bike....

 

[Engineer]

...but highly desirable!

Greg

.... desirability is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[sjwb]

Assuming that operators know how to use ABS, it must be one of the most potent safety inovations ever. However, it has been found that many people when encountering the effects of ABS operation - let the brakes off!!!!!!!!!!
So, putting the smartarse comments to one side, ABS is a very real advantage in what can only be described as a pass time with more than enough intrinsic dangers.
Now, if you wish to discuss the servo - well that is a different matter.

 

[plasmatron]

when an oncoming truck piloted by a drunk local deliberately turned across my lane aiming to turn off onto dirt track and prove a point to his delicate inbred truck driver ego about bikes vs. trucks around 100meters in front of me the ABS saved my arse... at around 65mph it kicked in , saved the locked front which was a result of my "I'm about to die" panic braking, then scrubbed off enough speed to allow me to *just* haul the bike through the closing gap between the front of his truck and the 2 foot deep water drain next to the road...

without a doubt if there was no ABS and servo's I'd still be in hospital at best...

 

[Humbug]

When I took my test ride it pissed down with rain. Accelerating out of Sherborne some moron in a Golf pulled out straight across my path. I am sure I would have hit it had it not been for the ABS, which pulled us up without any fuss or bother. Until that moment I was not going to buy with ABS. It was the first option I ordered when I returned to the dealer!

 

[ag1s]

It is not essential.

Well justified statement!

 

[Engineer]

Well justified statement!

The question was - 'is ABS necessary?'
The answer is no - that is a fact, not an opinion so no justification is needed.