The bulk of my riding since 2013 has been on a couple bikes that have had ABS, but ABS was never an important feature for me. I just figured I been riding forever, I can handle braking. I know this wasn’t the best attitude, just admitting it was mine before. It just came on the bikes I liked, so whatever, I just got the bike. ABS is now high on my list should I ever be looking at an older bike.

Through the years I’ve learned what to watch out for, certain drivers/vehicles worth paying extra attention to and what situations to avoid in traffic. It’s paid off so far, I’ve never had a collision on a street bike. Knock on wood…..Well today I had a VERY close call. I was on a single lane (each way) perimeter road around a residential area where the speed limit is 50 km/hr or 30mph. A pickup with a travel trailer in tow pulled up to a T intersection that allows for entering said perimeter road. He slowed down without stopping despite the stop sign, looked both ways, looked at me, like right at me, and pulled out turning left in front of me. I think this is why I assumed he seen me, he looked directly at me, I seen his eyes. He wasn’t even going fast with his trailer on behind him, and he just pulled right out and Ł#$& me right? He was so close I seen him look surprised when he seen me. I yanked hard on the brake lever and stepped hard on the pedal….the RGS with me on it has to be over 1000 lbs, and it slowed so fast that I lurched forward hard, like the road glide fairing that’s usually a mile away got real close real fast lol. The rear wheel made a very quick chirp, but nothing out of the front and the bike stopped. Because of his trailer there wasn’t enough room to go around, so once I stopped he just continued his turn but holy crap it was close.

Initial very violent reaction very quickly dismissed lol. His look of pure shock once he seen me helped me realize it was an honest mistake, but goddamn dude, pay attention and figger it out lol.

So yeah, I’m a fan of ABS. So in that regard, I’m thinking RDRS is also worth having even if just for the the rain mode with a 131” stage 4 lol. I done so much sketchy $#!7 on bikes I have a hard time advising anything in the realm of safety lol, but yeah, the safety features on today’s bikes work. They help, so with that said, cheers all and I’m back to Guinness and Letterkenny.

 

Although neither of my 2 bikes, (XL1200 and a Yamaha fz6r) have ABS, I am a big fan of ABS and Traction Control on bikes. I rode mostly BMW for about 30 yrs and they started including ABS before anyone else, and way, way before HD started offering it as an option. In the old days of ABS there were some issues with the systems that were a real PIA and expensive to repair. I suspect that has changed. If I were to buy a new bike, I would not buy anything without ABS.

 

The problem with accidents is that they are, by definition “accidental.”

ABS wouldn’t have helped me a bit during my accident, as the car pulled out of the driveway so close to me that I never had time to even grab the brakes. At 50 MPH, I was traveling at 73 ft. per second. I remember reaching for the brake lever and the next instant I was airborne.

I see your point, just don’t assume technology is always going to save you, because it won’t.

 

Meh.... I don't care so much for ABS. With our roads here in Michigan, we have so many pot holes, rough sections, poor repairs that often when stopping, the ABS kicks in when the wheels bounce over a rough patch. Very annoying. I feel I raced enough dirt bikes and have enough experience that I can control and modulate the brakes as needed. That said, I would not not buy a bike with ABS. I will have it, but not a real big fan of it.

 

I don't have ABS on the Harleys but wish I did as I have had it on the sport bikes and glad I did. Any new Harley I get will have ABS and RDRS.

For now, I get into a parking lot and practice my emergency braking...

 

From another Albertan, I'm glad you only had a near-miss.

 

You should be drinking a Puppers, but I'll let it slide. Good to hear you didn't.

 

Great to hear you made it okay.

ABS is great. You don’t need it, until you need it. And it can save lives.

 

Only been riding 50 years 20-60,000 a year many of them so not to experienced. I do know ABS works. We can always find the one case where this or that happened. When you think you are so good your smarter that the system you due for a wake up call.
one of my bikes has no ABS too old Another it was not offered on. My 3rd one has ABS and RDRS. 5 of my last bikes have had ABS. The One with RDRS and ABS is by far the better from an all around safety view.
If safety was the biggest thing why the hell would we ride anything with out 4 wheels and a cage.
You ride you decide.

 

I look at it a bit differently. An accident was an unavoidable event.

Motorcycle-car crashes are just that …. Crashes that could have been avoided.

I know, semantics.

I shopped for a Rushmore bike with ABS.