Would the CB been more of a "success" if there had been more ABS bikes?

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I do think that there are very specific parameters for ABS to be beneficial for the motorcycle rider, mainly a surface with poor purchase, in other words ice, snow, sand, water, dirt, gravel etc and the rider upright and vertical, but I'm not sure how often those conditions come into play for the vast majority of riders. From what I understand, the majority of motorcyclists ride less than a couple thousand miles a year, most won't go out in anything less than ideal conditions, sunny, warm, dry. Most ride conservatively and cautiously. Still I think it's a valuable tool to have in the toolbox and it can't hurt to have it on your bike.

Americans seem to value it less than others in the world, but like I said that is changing and Americans are buying it and demanding it more and more.

It'll be standard equipment on most all bikes in the next five years. It's already on the 300cc entry-level machines, and a good thing, too.

The CBR250R has had an ABS option since 2011. Incidentally, the Honda dealer I patronize has gone almost exclusively ABS on their street bike inventory. Makes business since to them.

The CBR250R has had an ABS option since 2011. Incidentally, the Honda dealer I patronize has gone almost exclusively ABS on their street bike inventory. Makes business since to them. Good stuff. As long as I can turn it off, I'm good with it. On my F800GS it's off all the time unless I happen to be riding in rain, which never happens but once in a blue moon. But to have it as an option, yeah, I'm good with that.

On a supersport motorcycle the extra plumbing just ruins the feel at the lever so I'd never buy a bike of that kind with the ABS, though. It can all be removed and pitched into a crate but then the ECU has to be reflashed to remove the error codes.

I do think that there are very specific parameters for ABS to be beneficial for the motorcycle rider, mainly a surface with poor purchase, in other words ice, snow, sand, water, dirt, gravel etc and the rider upright and vertical, but I'm not sure how often those conditions come into play for the vast majority of riders. From what I understand, the majority of motorcyclists ride less than a couple thousand miles a year, most won't go out in anything less than ideal conditions, sunny, warm, dry. Most ride conservatively and cautiously. Still I think it's a valuable tool to have in the toolbox and it can't hurt to have it on your bike.

Americans seem to value it less than others in the world, but like I said that is changing and Americans are buying it and demanding it more and more.

How can anyone expect to learn how to ride if that's what they do? No wonder the EU has all those training requirements.

Darwin Holmstrom wrote a book called "[url=https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Motorcycles-Third/dp/1592573037#reader_1592573037]The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycling" and in the first edition he mentioned folks who buy the motorcycle as an ornament of jewelry; he called it something like an "earring" but he meant, of course, that they bought the bike as a fashion accessory.

We just haven't gotten to the point yet, I guess, where the public outcry about errant and unskilled motorcyclists concerns folks that much. When the tipping point is reached, tiered licensing and real training will be here. Right now ABS and traction control is keeping the regulatory wolves at bay but in 10-15 years, with the growth in motorcycling and the increase in accidents, something will come along.