to ABS or not to ABS ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 4
I would not buy another touring bike unless it had ABS. It is not something you can add later and there is no reason not to get it if you are buying a new scoot. My '09 Ultra has ABS and I have used it on several occasions and I know that I would not have avoided at least one collision if it were not for the ABS.
IMHO ABS is BS... I have it on my 2010 and it's just another tool The "Man" uses to keep me from hurting myself. I have tested it and I feel I can react to any situation as well as it can. in fact, I believe it will hinder my ability to avoid troubble in some situations. Case in point. I hit a pot hole near a stop sign with the rear brake on and when the tire came back down and made contact with the road the ABS kicked in and allowed the bike to roll past the point I wanted the bike to stop.
Don't get me wrong I think ABS is a good thing 99.9% of the time But, I would never trust it over my ability to control my motorcycle. just my .02.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach
I would never buy another bike without it if it was offered. Whatever drawbacks I have heard and experienced about ABS, there are so many positives that far outweigh the negatives. The biggest is that it can literally save your a** when you least expect it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
For the last 28 years of riding I never had ABS or needed it. Maybe in the future when all bikes are required to have it I will try it out. But till then I will ride defensively and use common sense. I do have ABS on my truck because it was standard equipment, but haven't stopped or locked up the breaks to use it either - but I guess it is there in case it thinks I need it.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: U.S.S.A.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 106
From: Colorado Front Range
I just bought an '09 Road King. It was the only one they had left and simply I was ready to get a bike to replace my '07 SG. It had no ABS. I guess for ME it fell into the "nice to have" category...but not a deal-breaker at all. I am 100% comfortable not having it.
It's not that after 20 years riding I feel that I am somehow 'better' than the technology by any means. But I must admit...something just seems a little "wrong" putting such stuff on these bikes...not sure why...just kinda felt like down deep (like airbags on a bike - yeah...they can save your life in a catastrophic incident but I still wouldn't want em on my bike). Irrational, yeah...but kinda like flying an old Swift taildragger...you KNOW the technology is not there...and you FEEL everything...and there is a hell of lot more risk...and for ME, that's whole point.
Just my .02!
It's not that after 20 years riding I feel that I am somehow 'better' than the technology by any means. But I must admit...something just seems a little "wrong" putting such stuff on these bikes...not sure why...just kinda felt like down deep (like airbags on a bike - yeah...they can save your life in a catastrophic incident but I still wouldn't want em on my bike). Irrational, yeah...but kinda like flying an old Swift taildragger...you KNOW the technology is not there...and you FEEL everything...and there is a hell of lot more risk...and for ME, that's whole point.
Just my .02!
Last edited by sgnden; Aug 22, 2009 at 09:06 AM.