I'm purchasing this week and I was going to get the Non ABS as it was all they had but another dealer just let me know that have an ABS model. I like the idea of ABS since my lightning quick reflexes are now only thunder quick and I'm thinking the ABS could make up the difference. Anyone out there have an opinion on the differences? Do they up the maintenance cost or are they problematic in any way??
(07-08-2013, 10:57 AM)LiveToRide_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'm purchasing this week and I was going to get the Non ABS as it was all they had but another dealer just let me know that have an ABS model. I like the idea of ABS since my lightning quick reflexes are now only thunder quick and I'm thinking the ABS could make up the difference. Anyone out there have an opinion on the differences? Do they up the maintenance cost or are they problematic in any way??
I know Honda's are infinitely more reliable than BMW's but after the problems with the ABS my friends and I have had, there is no way I would take a chance on another ABS. That's just me. Years down the road when Honda's ABS has proven reliable, I may try one. Until then, I won't do it. I haven't checked the price of Honda's brake parts but BMW had one ABS pump that cost $2400! I just don't think Honda's ABS has been around long enough to make a judgment. JMHO
I'll provide a counter-point to Buffalohead's comments.
My 7 yr-old ST1300 was my first bike to have ABS, and the system has been transparent. There are hundreds of ST11 and ST13 owners on the
http://www.ST-owners.com website, and I don't recall ABS problems being an issue with the model. Needless to say, I can't give an opinion or perspective on other motorcycle brands or models that have ABS. The first day I had the bike, I rode onto one of my favorite mountain roads, got up to about 80mph, said, "here goes nothing!" and grabbed and stomped the brakes for all they were worth. The bike brought me to a very sudden, but very controlled stop. That made me a believer.
My VFR1200F has Combined ABS, and I also wanted it on my CB11. I believe that ABS will continue to proliferate the market, and BMW has already pioneered putting it on all of their motorcycles. I have pretty good braking skill and put that skill to work on the racetrack. But on the street, I know that if caught off-guard, on a marginal surface, the computer can do a better job than can I.
I've driven police cars without ABS, and with ABS...at very, very high speeds. I came very close to killing myself (and my K-9) one night while responding to a felony pursuit, driving a non-ABS car. ABS for me thank you.
The CB1100 has been on the market since 2010 in Japan and Australia. Not exactly sure when the ABS option emerged but think it was 2011. I believe I read it is mandatory on all the UK bikes. I have not read any negative posts about the Honda ABS system. My Triumph Bonneville was a non ABS bike. One of the reasons I sold my Bonneville and bought the CB was for the ABS system option. One of the things they teach you in the MSF Basic Rider Course is progressive braking. Kudos to those who can progressive brake in a panic situation but I simply want the piece of mind of having ABS just in case. Having had a few panic stops in my cars over the years, I am always thankful when I do have ABS. No different on the bike. You get on the brakes hard in a panic situation on a bike and the brakes are going to lock up resulting in a skid or longer braking distances. For me, the extra money for the ABS is just an added insurance policy.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrRMIWqGzj4&list=FLu8qvc_LiK0Ge-QG_3QBe4g&index=3]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrRMIWqGz...4g&index=3
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I'll provide a counter-point to Buffalohead's comments.
My 7 yr-old ST1300 was my first bike to have ABS, and the system has been transparent. There are hundreds of ST11 and ST13 owners on the
http://www.ST-owners.com website, and I don't recall ABS problems being an issue with the model. Needless to say, I can't give an opinion or perspective on other motorcycle brands or models that have ABS. The first day I had the bike, I rode onto one of my favorite mountain roads, got up to about 80mph, said, "here goes nothing!" and grabbed and stomped the brakes for all they were worth. The bike brought me to a very sudden, but very controlled stop. That made me a believer.
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I know ABS is great when it works. But, when it fails, you can be in big trouble and it is very costly to repair because of it's complexity. In cars, I'm sure it's not as big of a deal when it fails because your not on two wheels. In fact, in a car I would prefer ABS. My best friend nearly lost his life when his failed on his BMW. A new brake pump for my bike cost $2400. That's absurd IMO. If Honda's ABS turns out not to be problematic like the BMW's we have owned, I will buy one some day. I'm am glad to hear yours have been trouble free. FWIW.
If you can afford the ABS system, get it. I could not, so I opted for the non-ABS. I have read and re-read dozens of posts about Honda's ABS systems on this and other bikes and do not recall a single person having reliability problems. Some argue that ABS allows the rider to forget good riding technique, but that's a BS argument--riders simply do not suddenly forget how to avoid situations because they have ABS any more than they remember them because they don't. That said, it is an expensive alternative so choose it if it fits your budget and your mindset
(07-08-2013, 11:19 AM)Buffalohead_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (07-08-2013, 10:57 AM)LiveToRide_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'm purchasing this week and I was going to get the Non ABS as it was all they had but another dealer just let me know that have an ABS model. I like the idea of ABS since my lightning quick reflexes are now only thunder quick and I'm thinking the ABS could make up the difference. Anyone out there have an opinion on the differences? Do they up the maintenance cost or are they problematic in any way??
I know Honda's are infinitely more reliable than BMW's but after the problems with the ABS my friends and I have had, there is no way I would take a chance on another ABS. That's just me. Years down the road when Honda's ABS has proven reliable, I may try one. Until then, I won't do it. I haven't checked the price of Honda's brake parts but BMW had one ABS pump that cost $2400! I just don't think Honda's ABS has been around long enough to make a judgment. JMHO
I know Honda's are infinitely more reliable than BMW's but after the problems with the ABS my friends and I have had, there is no way I would take a chance on another ABS. That's just me. Years down the road when Honda's ABS has proven reliable, I may try one. Until then, I won't do it. I haven't checked the price of Honda's brake parts but BMW had one ABS pump that cost $2400! I just don't think Honda's ABS has been around long enough to make a judgment. JMHO According to
http://hondapartshouse.com it looks like the most expensive part is the ABS modulator @ $1102.30
I had a very strong preference for the ABS option, for several reasons. First, Honda has had over 20 years of experience with ABS and larger bikes, starting with the ST1100 in 1992, so the ABS system should be comparatively mature and reliable (though mechanical / electrical system is perfect in all situations, hypothetical or real). Second, all reviews on the subject that I have read expressly conclude that the most experienced and accomplished riders at the very top of their form can stop faster without ABS, and riders who are comparatively less capable can stop faster with ABS -- and now that I'm older and I spend less time familiarizing myself with the limits of my motorcycle's performance as compared to when I was younger I would say that ABS is a good tradeoff for me at this time but I might opt against ABS if I were in my 20s again. Third, I am fortunate that the extra cost of ABS did not outweigh the benefits (in my mind), and the extra weight due to the ABS subsystems would not be perceptible given my style of riding.
[/quote]According to
http://hondapartshouse.com it looks like the most expensive part is the ABS modulator @ $1102.30
[/quote]
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That's somewhat comforting. Less than half the cost of BMW's pump.
I didn't say ABS always fails. The things I said about our BMW's ABS on our bikes are just facts. It happened. The cost of the parts are true also. If you don't want to believe it, don't.
My opinion is, I do expect Honda's ABS to be better than BMW's. When it proves out, I may buy one some day. After the trouble we've had, reliability is a priority.
(07-08-2013, 12:48 PM)cb400four_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I had a very strong preference for the ABS option, for several reasons. First, Honda has had over 20 years of experience with ABS and larger bikes, starting with the ST1100 in 1992, so the ABS system should be comparatively mature and reliable (though mechanical / electrical system is perfect in all situations, hypothetical or real). Second, all reviews on the subject that I have read expressly conclude that the most experienced and accomplished riders at the very top of their form can stop faster without ABS, and riders who are comparatively less capable can stop faster with ABS -- and now that I'm older and I spend less time familiarizing myself with the limits of my motorcycle's performance as compared to when I was younger I would say that ABS is a good tradeoff for me at this time but I might opt against ABS if I were in my 20s again. Third, I am fortunate that the extra cost of ABS did not outweigh the benefits (in my mind), and the extra weight due to the ABS subsystems would not be perceptible given my style of riding.
+1. The older I get the more inclined I am to get a bike with ABS.