Is ABS worth the extra money

Hey all, in the process of getting a new bike and I was wondering what the general opinion was about ABS. Is it worth the extra money?

 

I don't personally think that it is worth the extra money. If you've been riding for any length of time you'll know how to handle a brake locked wheel. Besides, when I use front and back in unison, I can't generate much of a slide to begin with.

 

Well, from what I've seen, it looks like it could be very useful in an oh #^%% kind of moment. check out youtube for comparison vids of abs vs no abs. good stuff

 

My vfr has abs. this is my first abs bike. So far i really like it. i never has a bike that stopped so quick and smooth.

 

Hey Jdog, what does it feel like when the abs comes on? Do you notice it much? How long did you have the FJR for? Would you get another one?

 

I've found that it is pretty difficult to lock the wheels on a non-ABS linked brake system. If you do alot of riding in the rain or at night where panic stops are more common I would recommend ABS but I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker if you found a smoking hot deal on a non-ABS model. I think $500 to $750 is about how much value the ABS system adds to the bike. If the price difference is negligible you should definitely go with the ABS but if price really matters and you have enough experience riding I think you'll be fine with standard linked brakes.


Rollin

 

Since the brakes on non-ABS are linked, I ddint see much reason to go up the extra for ABS. I think it is personal opinion like stated above. I think you will find it hard to lock the wheels on the linked vfr.

 

+1 to what Rollin said.

Arguments can be made both ways. For me, if $ wasn't a concern, I'd definitely get it. You may never need it, but if the time comes that you do, it'll be nice to have.

 

+1 for sure. it certainly comes down to preference. but really you can't have a preference if you don't have sufficient seat time with both types.

edit : oh and Chevy all day baby (although i do love me some ford mustang)

 

I believe there is an additional bonus when purchasing a VFR with ABS. The rear suspension preload can be changed with a simple turn of a dial-type adjustment without even getting your hands dirty or looking for a tool. Anytime you feel the need to change the setting such as a for a change in load, passenger or road conditions just do it. By itself worth the price of admission.

ABS. I have it. I love it. I wouldn’t be without it. I don’t believe for a second that I could react to a panic situation use of brakes and make all the necessary and correct adjustments to stay upright with the same speed and effectiveness as with the ABS “system”. With ABS I can blindly press a pedal or pull a grip and use my other skills to avoid trouble. I spent years using my “left” foot to apply the rear brake. I often consider the question “ in a panic will my left foot try to do the braking”. Panic is just that. Strange things happen. Show me a rider who hasn’t panicked and I’ll show you a real pro. But I am just a casual rider. True, I do have over 50 years riding experience but I don’t think my skills compare to what some of those who post on the forums declare. I haven’t even experienced a high side or low side on the street or on the track. But I have panicked.

I would highly recommend the ABS option. Here is a link to an article you may wish to read. I have posted the article as well if the link doesn’t work. By the way, I’m sure you can find other articles in support of not buying it. Your call!


In the Saddle.ca


Anti-lock brakes on motorcycles were first introduced to the world by BMW Motorrad in 1988. Honda soon followed with its ABS-equipped ST1100 in 1992. Yet even now manufacturers offer relatively few models with anti-lock brakes.
Those that do offer it mainly as an option. You will find ABS on high-performance bikes, but they’re mostly street, touring or sport-touring models (see box below "Where to find them").
Why so few ABS bikes?
Historically, motorcyclists have generally resisted ABS, whether because of misinformation, reluctance to change or perhaps experience with an inferior ABS system.
The complaint from sport bike riders is that ABS adds weight or they can’t get the same braking “control” they get from standard brakes.
But ABS systems have come a long way in terms of performance and weight. In 1988, for example, BMW’s ABS unit added 10 pounds to a motorcycle. Its latest system adds only 1.3 pounds.
Another concern expressed by skeptics is that ABS is “intrusive” to the rider’s space and riding experience. But today’s sophisticated systems are barely detectable. Once engaged, there is only a slight buzzing at the lever (much like a pager going off) and a very slight deflection in the handlebars. Nick Smirniw, Honda Canada’s Safety Coordinator, says, “You’ll never know it’s there until you absolutely need it.”
Public awareness seems to be increasing, however. Over the past few months, notes Smirniw, inquiries about ABS from the buying public have been more frequent. “Some of that is a result of a new breed of motorcyclists who are entering the market with modern expectations,” he acknowledges.
How ABS works
“One of the common errors that people make when they’re braking in an emergency situation,” Smirniw adds, “isn’t only that they apply too much rear brake. The problem is that as they continue to apply the front brake and transfer more weight to the front, they’re not releasing the rear brake. That causes them to lose control.”
That’s where ABS shines. With anti-lock brakes, riders can safely and immediately go to 100% brake.
Computerized sensors determine when a wheel is on the verge of locking up. At that point, they give instant instructions to the brakes to release and re-apply braking pressure as the rider applies the brakes.
Linking with ABS
Linked brakes are often combined with ABS. A linked system is where a hand lever or foot pedal operates brakes on the front and back wheel so as to evenly distribute the braking force.
The beauty of the system is that it works in harmony with the body’s natural response when braking. In a panic situation, the body tends to tighten up and a rider applies the brakes as hard as possible.
The result is a slowing or stopping in a straight line on dry pavement without skidding. Even when it comes to stopping on a wet surface, as BMW’s demonstrations have famously shown, ABS bikes make a controlled, straight-line stop.
Ultimately, anti-lock brakes give you a greater sense of security. They allow you to focus on the road and what’s happening around you.
Where to find them
Anti-lock brake systems are becoming more widely available on motorcycles. The following models offer ABS as either standard or optional equipment:
· BMW F800ST, K1200S, R1200GS (most models)
· Ducati ST3S
· Honda ST1300A, VFR800FA, Gold Wing 1800AL/AD
· Kawasaki Concours 14
· Suzuki Bandit 650S/1250S, V-Strom 650, SV650/S
· Triumph Sprint ST, Tiger 1050
· Yamaha FJR1300A/AE
The cost ranges from about $500 on Suzuki models to about $1,500 for top-end BMW bikes. For more information about ABS, visit the following websites:
www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/abstests.html
or
The Low-Down on Bike ABS, Linked and EVO Brakes Nabble - Free forum & other embeddable apps.

 

Just take a good riding school like STAR, Keith Code, or Hammer if they're still teaching.?. They'll teach you how to properly brake at max efficiency in a controlled race track environment.

I expect ABS is like the GPS in cars. You never "needed" it, but once you have it you feel you must continue to have it. (?) My '07 RWB is non-ABS, but I would have bought ABS if it was available since left over bikes are discounted so much now.

 

Hey all, thanks for all the opinions. I have just put some money down on a new 08 with abs. I figure living in the wonderful city of Calgary (I really do love this city) where they finally finish sweeping up all the gravel laid down over winter sometime in August, abs seems to be the way to go.

 

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it....

Cannot offer an opinion on its strengths or weaknesses, b/c I never experimented wth. Besides, the LBS is good enough for me.

It was on my "VFR must have" list, but I opted not to in the end, price being the overall determining factor. My VFR replacement will probably have it, b/c when the time comes, every bike on the market will have it standard.

 

I have it on my BMW F800ST (unlinked brakes) and unfortunately not on my Australian compliance 2008 VFR 800. We do not get the choice here as the ABS (stupidly) was not available.

The Beemer ABS has got me out of the soup once and IMHO, irrespective of linked/unlinked brakes, ABS is well worth the $'s.

Cheers

 

I agree, i saw a video once of a crash bike with and without abs. the road was slick. the non abs bike few out of controll, the abs bike stopped smoothly.

no matter how well you are at stopping, the human body simply cannot keep the brakes from locking up, whereas a mechanical device (abs) can.

once you lock up you have lost nearly all controll over the bike, abs however will prevent the wheel from locking up meaning you will always have control. at least when it comes to braking.

i personally if given the choice would ALWAYS get abs.

i hear people talking about it all of the time, but iv seen abs work, i woudl never go without it if i can have it.

 

Just watch this short video.

Video: Honda Fireblade ABS v non-ABS - | Motorbike reviews | Latest Bike Videos | MCN

If you can afford it then definitely buy the ABS bike.. (NB the VFR Combined ABS system is basically the same as the Fireblade system shown in this video.) Enjoy

Skimad4x4
6th Gen Militia #218