01-08-2017, 02:23 AM
I never had ABS on any of my motorcycles the first 23 years that I rode. Although the Japanese bikes had decent brakes, I had to rely on downshifting to get my BSAs to stop quickly.
Fast forward 25 years. I bought a 2013 CB500XA not knowing that it did have ABS. I think they are standard here in Canada. I never noticed until one day on a 4-lane highway I was rolling along in the right hand lane at 100 KPH (62 MPH). A dizzy broad in the left lane behind me realized that she is about to miss her exit. She speeds up and heads right at me. Fortunately I saw her coming out of the corner of my eye, grabbed a fistful of front brake and came to a very sudden stop. She passes right in front of me and gives me a wave for letting her pass. Like I had a choice, it was stop or die!
This past summer I was 15 KPH over the 80 KPH speed limit on a rural two lane road. A black bear ran out of the bush and across the road in front of me. Another fistful of front brake, and another life saving sudden stop.
The white car in the oncoming lane turned out to be an Ontario Provincial Police cruiser with hidden lights. I started back up and the cruiser pulled an immediate U turn. As I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder, I thought this is going to be expensive.
I immediately removed my helmet hoping the officer would realize I was a senior citizen and no some young yahoo. I was approached by a very good looking female officer. She just wanted to check that I was alright. After a brief friendly chat we were both on our separate ways.
Do I like ABS? You bet I do!
Fast forward 25 years. I bought a 2013 CB500XA not knowing that it did have ABS. I think they are standard here in Canada. I never noticed until one day on a 4-lane highway I was rolling along in the right hand lane at 100 KPH (62 MPH). A dizzy broad in the left lane behind me realized that she is about to miss her exit. She speeds up and heads right at me. Fortunately I saw her coming out of the corner of my eye, grabbed a fistful of front brake and came to a very sudden stop. She passes right in front of me and gives me a wave for letting her pass. Like I had a choice, it was stop or die!
This past summer I was 15 KPH over the 80 KPH speed limit on a rural two lane road. A black bear ran out of the bush and across the road in front of me. Another fistful of front brake, and another life saving sudden stop.
The white car in the oncoming lane turned out to be an Ontario Provincial Police cruiser with hidden lights. I started back up and the cruiser pulled an immediate U turn. As I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder, I thought this is going to be expensive.
I immediately removed my helmet hoping the officer would realize I was a senior citizen and no some young yahoo. I was approached by a very good looking female officer. She just wanted to check that I was alright. After a brief friendly chat we were both on our separate ways.
Do I like ABS? You bet I do!