Reasons to like CB1100 STD model vs. DLX

[Ulvetanna_imp]

You can train all you want to be proficient at braking, but at the moment of truth, when panic and adrenaline kick in, are you sure you won't lock them up? The statistics are out there. Riders with ABS are 33% less likely to be in a fatal crash.

Yes. I've been at threshold braking scores of times on many different bikes, sometimes just practicing, sometimes in an emergency maneuver. My last track day at Chuckwalla, playing around with corner entry speeds, I had to haul it in a couple of times at the last minute, really trail-braking while leaned over. I don't like to do that but once in a while it happens. You learn not to lock them up ever, even at 30+ degrees lean, you can feel what is going on through training and experience. That was about a month ago, I try to keep current.

Whenever I ride I always practice threshold braking, had the CB1100 howling after getting the stainless lines installed. Very good brakes.

If anyone thinks this is bragging, it's no more bragging than posting all kinds of pictures of 10 grand worth of mods.

I put the mods into my skills and I'm as qualified to comment on them as someone else is on how well they can do something else like apply pinstriping or degree cams or whatever is their thing.

I would actually choose to strike an obstacle while still upright under maximum braking before just "locking up the brakes."

The word "panic" does not enter into it. If you are in a panic you have no control. I have been there and done that so I know.

Learning to brake proficiently is no more difficult than learning to bring a forkful of food to one's mouth without stabbing oneself in the eye, practice makes perfect. Seriously.

ABS releases much earlier than maximum braking even on the best bikes. I can't use it, I disconnected it on my BMW.

Here is just ONE little example of what happens on the freeway or street and what knowing how to threshold brake can do to get you out of a mess instead of deeper into it.

This happened to me about a year ago. Posted it to another forum and am copying it here.


Heading home on the freeway today, huge major metropolitan area, almost downtown. LOTS of traffic, zipping along 70 mph in #1 (far left) lane.

EASED into the #2 lane with serious headcheck and mirror check, nice, clear spot.

Just settled in and then Nissan Altima, in #3 lane (one to my right) maybe 100 feet ahead of me freaking LOCKS up the brakes, I mean STOMPS them to the floor, smoke pouring off all four tires.

The car starts to spin CCW, the front is drifting into my lane and the car slowing quite rapidly as it is now nearly sideways to direction of travel and mind you this all started at 70 mph. So I get a real catbird seat view, I mean I am in the orchestra pit here and am now just about on top of this car.

Now the driver decides to release the brakes and steer hard right so you guessed it, the rear end of the car now swings around almost 180 degrees, now I am really right on top of this thing and reading the freaking serial numbers on the tires.

Soon as all this started up I had brought the front brakes, with one finger, to about 80 percent of threshold braking and was just holding it right there waiting to see some daylight out of this mess.

Just about the time I was almost into the right rear quarter panel and the car was perpendicular to my direction of travel, all kinds of smoke pouring off his tires, he STOPPED drifting to the left, almost completely in my lane.

I see some daylight in the #1 lane, released most of my brakes just keeping some in to help the bike turn, snapped it over into the leftmost lane, freaking went around him with maybe 2-3 feet to spare.

I hammered the gas and gave the guy a thumbs-up as I could see in my mirrors the car was totally sideways but slowing and looked like traffic was somehow getting around him (or her, don't know).

Got off at my exit, more or less.

So, the car's ABS did zero to help this totally unskilled driver. I had a front row seat here.

If I had had ABS on my bike (did not as I go full analog jacket here, 2012 GSX-R 750) I would have hit the car most likely because even the SLIGHTEST reduction in brake pressure would have had me catching him up and thumping him.

So the point to this is anyone who believes ABS is somehow going to save them is ill-advised.

Only thing that saved my skin out there (other than the grace of the Almighty) was years and years of riding off-road and track days. And practice, practice, practice.

If I had hesitated even an instant before using that one finger to bring in the max possible braking whilst still allowing some steering input, I would have hit the car.

It was just that close.

ABS saves unskilled riders from the most egregious mistakes. It may save "panic braking" riders from locking the front or rear. That's what ABS is for, that and slippery surfaces.

Don't count on ABS to save your hide, practice your braking, it will save you someday.

BTW this whole thing was over in about 4-5 seconds. I re-visualized it in my mind afterward and counted it out.

Not everyone has to change up their bike visually, but everyone has to ride their bike so everyone should learn to brake and turn as best they can.