ABS or no ABS.. that is the question?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by ilovheros, Sep 24, 2009.

  1. ilovheros

    ilovheros New Member

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    Hi all,
    I am 52 yrs young and live in Cincinnati. Both kids are out of the house now. Just me and my wife of 30 yrs (love her more now than when I first married her) although she won't ride with me:mad:.The most fun I had this year was riding my 919 way down into the land of wonderful curves..Kentucky, about 220 miles round trip..twice. The 919 is the best bike I have ever owned (so far) and I have owned a whole bunch of them. I just sold the Hornet and I am set to buy a 07 (leftover) VFR800 for $7000 non ABS---or---07 with ABS for $7500. The dealer will need to get the ABS model in for me....":confused: Should I get the ABS model, is it worth the extra money and weight difference. REALLY could use some advice here. This is my 1st post, Thanks in advance. Ilovheros
     
  2. buttonhook

    buttonhook New Member

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    get the abs I would never go back
     
  3. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

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    First of all, welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot great people and knowledge here. I don't have the ABS model so I can't speak to it, but keep in mind that the non-ABS model does have the linked braking system, which engages the front and rear brakes in proportion simultaneously. It might be all that you need. You'll save $500 and not add the extra weight.
     
  4. Meatloaf

    Meatloaf New Member

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    If it is only a $500 difference and you have the money, then I would spring for it in a heartbeat. If you never use it then you have had the piece of mind that is well worth the $500 IMO. If you do use it and it saves your butt... its worth 100 times what you paid for it.

    Welcome aboard.
     
  5. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    I wish I had ABS. I bought my VFR used, so I didn't have the option. Sure, it weighs a little, but in my opinion it's worth it.
     
  6. msimon2468

    msimon2468 New Member

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    Abs or not

    Well first of all i haven't ridden a bike with abs. When it came time to by my VFR i had the choice of either an abs model or a non-abs model. I picked the non-abs the reasoning behind it is the non-abs model has linked brakes plus price was higher on the abs. I also do all my own work so if something did go wrong with the abs system that adds more money on top of everything to fix it.(Not that anything would go wrong its a Honda!)

    So really my main reason for buying a non-abs VFR was that if anything happened with the abs system it would cost me more money in the long run.
     
  7. mwyounginfo

    mwyounginfo New Member

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    Add me to the list

    The ABS on these bikes is excellent. Not like a car, you wont feel pulsing - its transparent. IMHO anyone who buys a modern bike without is taking their life in their hands for no apparent reason.
     
  8. monk69

    monk69 New Member

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    I don't have abs with my 08', but did have it on my 02 bmw rt..... Two reasons it's worth having..... 1st... it will stop up right in a straight line stop no matter what's on the road,99.9% of the time..... 2nd... It comes with the better rear shock system.....
     
  9. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    One of the cycling mags did a test on stopping distances with a Honda equipeed with an ABS. It wasn't a VFR. I think it was a CBR XXXRR (help me out guys - my memory is 55 years old!), but even with expert riders (like, better than you!) riding the bikes, stopping distances were shorter with the ABS bikes. Always. No exceptions. Plus the ABS forgives ham-fisted stops. So for me, it's a no brainer. ABS is the way to go.
     
  10. julianivfr

    julianivfr New Member

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    Get the ABS. Forget the "extra weight" BS. I gain and lose 11 pounds periodically, and this does not destabilize the bike. $500 is half of the regular cost of the ABS. Remember that if ABS saves your hide, it'll be YOUR hide, not that of any adviser.

    As Monk mentioned as well, the preload adjustment rocks.
     
  11. Billygoat

    Billygoat New Member

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    For years, I rode a bike without ABS. I never slipped to the point of falling down - and I did a lot of wet weather riding - but I did lock up the rear tire on occasion.

    Then 2 years ago I took a 2 week training course on a Harley Road King. We rode in the rain and intentionally braked hard enough to activate the ABS. It turned me into a believer. It provides a nice, smooth stop and you know the wheels won't lock up. I can't understand deliberately choosing to not have ABS if you can afford the extra few hundred dollars.
     
  12. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Climate

    I say that ABS is for people that do not know how to ride but I don't live in a part of the world where ice is not an issue so I will shut the fuck up.:thumbsup:
     
  13. Billygoat

    Billygoat New Member

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    Yeah, but is there a downside to having ABS aside from the initial purchase cost? Most people, even great riders, aren't perfect 100 % of the time. At the very least it's peace of mind.
     
  14. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    This is one of the best ABS systems I have ever felt on any vehicle, trust me I have tried out a whole bunch :rolleyes: That being said a crappy ABS system is a waist of time, obviously this is not one of those.

    Your threshold braking abilities will always be better than using ABS BUT... ABS is fantastic in those HOLY SH&T moments... I have never had it come on when I didn't want it too.

    Oh and ABS isn't a "keep your bike upright" miracle tool either, I know :redface:

    Anyways I vote YES get it. You won't be sad you did.
     
  15. speedpoker

    speedpoker New Member

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    I would get the ABS for sure. I had an 04 VFR with abs and it was sweet. I did a 60 mile per hour pedal to the floor stop on wet pavement and the thing just came to a nice fast stop. Almost like I knew what the hell I was doing. I sold the bike for something with a bit more zoom and am having an inner debate about whether to get a non abs bike or not. Arg. I wish more bikes had abs as an option!
     
  16. MrDen

    MrDen New Member

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    My 07 is the first ABS equipped bike I've had. I'll never go back. :thumbsup:
     
  17. ilovheros

    ilovheros New Member

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    All,
    Thanks for all the great posts! You all rock. I went to my dealer today and Did the dirty.
    ...$7500. Beautiful glory red (burgandy) ABS VFR800 is mine. The only prob is it has been raining like Noah's ark here for 6 days! I left the "perfect" at the dealer, felt like a dork but just did'nt want to get it wet yet. Hope to p/u tomorrow..but they are still forcasting rain. THANKS for the advice. Hope to get to know some of you better....Ilovheros
     
  18. speedpoker

    speedpoker New Member

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    Nice work! I do not think you will be sorry going with the abs. Slam on the brakes with confidence!!
     
  19. heymike

    heymike New Member

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    I also have owned several bikes. My 06 has the ABS and I do not think I will ever buy another bike without it. All it takes is one a-hole and you will be grateful they are there.

    I miss trail braking into corners, but I hop on the 86 to do that now.
     
  20. captb

    captb New Member

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    I don't have a ABS bike just linked brakes on the double X but I liked the bikes I rode with ABS and if I had a choice... $500 it would be a good investment.
     
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