03-15-2018, 11:22 AM
Quote: Please note that in a panic stop, it will take you longer time and distance wise to stop with ABS than without as the brake pistons pulse in grasping and releasing the rotor.
I’m not trying to talk you out of getting ABS, but taking a rider course and practicing braking techniques under a trained and competent instructor can make you a proficient rider.
Went to MSF before I bought a bike/started riding at all, and bought a full set of quality gear as well. The only people that I've seen in objective tests stop bikes faster on a non-ABS version vs ABS were extremely experienced professional riders. I practice smooth progressive engagement on the brakes to transfer the weight forward before applying completely & all that - but in a true unexpected panic stop (sudden deer, inattentive driver, etc), I like knowing that a computer with vastly faster reaction times is there if I grab a full hand to prevent a lock-up. The only case I know of where an average rider is likely to get better results from no ABS is in the dirt where you actually want some wheel lock.
Don't really want to turn this into an ABS debate though, I've seen those go well off the rails elsewhere
. Just take it as given it's a requirement for me.
Ferret - I was reading a thread earlier on how valve checks on the '17 were now showing as 12k in the manual, and I thought I saw that oil changes were every 8k miles? Thanks for the rest of your input on maintenance. I'd totally go for a '14 DLX if I can find one, I actually prefer the wheels over the '17 spokes. I'd be looking for that front speed sensor ring to validate ABS too - one of the first things I've been looking at in bike ads for models that were sold both with/without ABS in the US.
I’m not trying to talk you out of getting ABS, but taking a rider course and practicing braking techniques under a trained and competent instructor can make you a proficient rider.
Went to MSF before I bought a bike/started riding at all, and bought a full set of quality gear as well. The only people that I've seen in objective tests stop bikes faster on a non-ABS version vs ABS were extremely experienced professional riders. I practice smooth progressive engagement on the brakes to transfer the weight forward before applying completely & all that - but in a true unexpected panic stop (sudden deer, inattentive driver, etc), I like knowing that a computer with vastly faster reaction times is there if I grab a full hand to prevent a lock-up. The only case I know of where an average rider is likely to get better results from no ABS is in the dirt where you actually want some wheel lock.
Don't really want to turn this into an ABS debate though, I've seen those go well off the rails elsewhere
. Just take it as given it's a requirement for me.Ferret - I was reading a thread earlier on how valve checks on the '17 were now showing as 12k in the manual, and I thought I saw that oil changes were every 8k miles? Thanks for the rest of your input on maintenance. I'd totally go for a '14 DLX if I can find one, I actually prefer the wheels over the '17 spokes. I'd be looking for that front speed sensor ring to validate ABS too - one of the first things I've been looking at in bike ads for models that were sold both with/without ABS in the US.