I resisted the idea of ABS on bikes for years. Fact is, that in an emergency stop, they are better.

I don't like the linked part of the new brakes, I would prefer to control front and rear brakes independently.

However, if one is an inexperienced rider, or has poor braking habits, or just does not want to do the work of controlling the front and rear brakes independently, having linked brakes is good.

I know more than a few riders that rarely use their front brakes. Since that is where the majority of the stopping power is, having linked brakes is a good thing for them.

 

I've had several incidents in just the last year where I wished later that I had ABS. But I also wished that I had applied less rear brake and more front brake. I think ABS is really good for beginner to intermediate riders. I'm an intermediate rider who needs to work a bit more on proper emergency braking techniques, I'm pretty good, and I've learned to control loss of rear traction because of it, but I need to pull just a bit harder on that front brake. I'm probably about 70% front and 30% rear, when I think I should be more like 90% front? I've been trying to find a place to practice them but there are no large open paved spaces to do it around here. I have been keeping my eye out for motorcycle cops to ask but I never see them when I want to.

 

ABS is a lifesaver for taking turns on a rainy day at intersections with a ton of crosswalk paint... Speaking from experience of course!

 

As a relatively new rider I can say, without reservation, ABS has saved me from the dreaded "rear lock-up & high side flip" on more than one occasion. Whatever their downside, they've already paid their due to me.