07-09-2013, 08:09 AM
After buying my CB1100 w/o ABS a couple of months ago, (no ABS in stock) I rationalized it out by saying if I felt the need for it after 1,000 miles I would sell the bike and get an ABS model.
I have 1000 miles on it and won't be getting an ABS model. Here is why:
The non ABS brakes have excellent feel to them. As good as any bike I have ever owned. In my 45+ years of riding motorcycles only once did I wish I had ABS.
That bike (an 07 T100) had wooden brakes and I locked up the front and went down. Embarrassing to say the least. My body recovered but not my pride. I have put over a hundred thousand miles on various BMW's with ABS and tho the system has worked good and I have never had a problem still it is added cost and complexity. The best ABS system is upstairs in our head. Being alert to idiots and the unawake and unaware populating our roads, riding within ones level of competence and practicing our braking skills.
That said, I do have more confidence riding my big 1200GS fast with ABS tho I have yet to ever use it.
I have 1000 miles on it and won't be getting an ABS model. Here is why:
The non ABS brakes have excellent feel to them. As good as any bike I have ever owned. In my 45+ years of riding motorcycles only once did I wish I had ABS.
That bike (an 07 T100) had wooden brakes and I locked up the front and went down. Embarrassing to say the least. My body recovered but not my pride. I have put over a hundred thousand miles on various BMW's with ABS and tho the system has worked good and I have never had a problem still it is added cost and complexity. The best ABS system is upstairs in our head. Being alert to idiots and the unawake and unaware populating our roads, riding within ones level of competence and practicing our braking skills.
That said, I do have more confidence riding my big 1200GS fast with ABS tho I have yet to ever use it.