Would you holdout for ABS
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: The Peoples Republic of Massachusstts
Especaily the ones with the little magnetic ribbons on the back...................
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Personally I would get the ABS. The deal you're looking at presently seems like one you don't want to pass up on. Why not take the deal and trade up to an ABS bike as soon as one becomes available. It doesn't look to me like you will loose much if anything on a trade or a private sale in the near future. Just a thought.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: AZ
I agree with this option. However, ABS is on my must have on any future bike, too!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
We have two HD touring bikes in our garage - my wife's 2010 Street Glide without ABS and my 2011 Road Glide Ultra with ABS. After watching me fully engage the ABS while on vacation last summer, she has decided all of our future bikes will have ABS. I have absolutely no doubt that the ABS saved me from a collision.
Prior to that incident, I really didn't care for ABS. It fely "funny" and was something I'd debated - but when HD released the RGU, they made it standard equipment, ending my debate.
Go test-ride an ABS-equipped model, and do a panic stop from 65mph, preferably exiting a curve. Really lay into the brakes, give 'em all you got. It feels like dropping an anchor and stretching the anchor rope - and yet you can still steer.
For us, no ABS would be a deal-breaker on any future purchases. We're that sold on it. We've even toyed with the idea of buying a ABS-equipped Street Glide and swapping tins. The wife really likes her merlot/cherry color scheme.
Maybe you can leverage a trade with a local dealer, the bike you can get a great deal on toward a ABS model.
Prior to that incident, I really didn't care for ABS. It fely "funny" and was something I'd debated - but when HD released the RGU, they made it standard equipment, ending my debate.
Go test-ride an ABS-equipped model, and do a panic stop from 65mph, preferably exiting a curve. Really lay into the brakes, give 'em all you got. It feels like dropping an anchor and stretching the anchor rope - and yet you can still steer.
For us, no ABS would be a deal-breaker on any future purchases. We're that sold on it. We've even toyed with the idea of buying a ABS-equipped Street Glide and swapping tins. The wife really likes her merlot/cherry color scheme.
Maybe you can leverage a trade with a local dealer, the bike you can get a great deal on toward a ABS model.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Personally I would get the ABS. The deal you're looking at presently seems like one you don't want to pass up on. Why not take the deal and trade up to an ABS bike as soon as one becomes available. It doesn't look to me like you will loose much if anything on a trade or a private sale in the near future. Just a thought.
There are other ABS equipped bikes out there if you want one. The "experts" on this forums keep pointing out how HD has overproduced and demand is down, well then there should be plenty out there and good deals to be had on bikes. Either that or the experts don't know what they are talking about.
Last edited by qtrracer; Feb 21, 2012 at 01:09 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
If you want it, then hold out for it. Why spend a lot of money and not get what "you" want?
Made up my mind last year that I wanted a new SG with the powerpac ( abs, 103", security) and wanted cruise control and it had to be vivid black. I have no regrets whatsoever with that bike.
As far as the ABS thing goes - to each thier own, everyone should have the setup that is best for them. For me, I rode an old elctraglide for years in and around NYC and had the *** end skid and kick out more than once in heavy traffic panic stops on wet, greasy roads.
Sure I'll take the blame that it was my inferior riding skills and not the rear brakes fault in anyway, that after 14 bikes and 35 years of riding that I should have lived every moment practicing panic stops with my "ride like a pro" video in a parking lot somewhere and never should have gone out and rode in NYC... but, whatever... Now a days, when I get cutoff or crowded in by a lunatic , I'm damn glad the ABS is there and the *** end can not easily lock up.
Just get the bike with the gear on it that makes you happy...
Made up my mind last year that I wanted a new SG with the powerpac ( abs, 103", security) and wanted cruise control and it had to be vivid black. I have no regrets whatsoever with that bike.
As far as the ABS thing goes - to each thier own, everyone should have the setup that is best for them. For me, I rode an old elctraglide for years in and around NYC and had the *** end skid and kick out more than once in heavy traffic panic stops on wet, greasy roads.
Sure I'll take the blame that it was my inferior riding skills and not the rear brakes fault in anyway, that after 14 bikes and 35 years of riding that I should have lived every moment practicing panic stops with my "ride like a pro" video in a parking lot somewhere and never should have gone out and rode in NYC... but, whatever... Now a days, when I get cutoff or crowded in by a lunatic , I'm damn glad the ABS is there and the *** end can not easily lock up.
Just get the bike with the gear on it that makes you happy...
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Sure I'll take the blame that it was my inferior riding skills and not the rear brakes fault in anyway, that after 14 bikes and 35 years of riding that I should have lived every moment practicing panic stops with my "ride like a pro" video in a parking lot somewhere and never should have gone out and rode in NYC... but, whatever...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Should have known this would start a lot you just have to have ABS Well no way am I selling my FXR4 and it rides and stops just fine without ABS with it's 4 piston dual caliper front and floating rotors and all the other Bikes I have ridden over the past 40 years did fine without ABS .. Have it on my Ultra and an added benefit to be sure but not to the point won't ride anything without it ..
Last edited by JayStronghawk; Feb 21, 2012 at 02:20 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Whoa daddy, bad idea in my mind. Buying something he doesn't want in hopes of selling it to someone else and hope "to not lose too much?" Sounds like a several thousand dollar gamble, would you underwrite it for him?
There are other ABS equipped bikes out there if you want one. The "experts" on this forums keep pointing out how HD has overproduced and demand is down, well then there should be plenty out there and good deals to be had on bikes. Either that or the experts don't know what they are talking about.
There are other ABS equipped bikes out there if you want one. The "experts" on this forums keep pointing out how HD has overproduced and demand is down, well then there should be plenty out there and good deals to be had on bikes. Either that or the experts don't know what they are talking about.