Originally Posted by
VStarRider
Thumper, I do not intend for this to turn into an ABS debate thread. It is true that one should not allow a technology to replace riding skills as you mentioned, such as situational awareness. Hell, I would dare say that lane positioning significantly decreases your risk as much! I can't speak for anyone else, but I do not believe that my situational awareness, lane positioning, following distance, etc. would change at all if I am on an ABS bike, thinking I can be more lackadaisical because I have ABS on my side. Hardly. However, I also know that emergency braking occurs in a high panic situation, and knowing that you can divert whatever concentration would be dedicated to keeping those wheels turning to instead evaluating and executing a maneuver, significantly increases the chance of avoidance.
Yesterday, I rode up Rt 28, starting in Forestport and doing a loop around the Fulton Chain using South Shore Rd. You probably know this area, considering your location. South Shore Rd is full of curves and has a canopy of trees covering most of it. There are many driveways. The road was wet with wet leaves in many spots. I used my riding skills considering the circumstances, but this is the kind of situation where I want ABS. Someone does not make a curve and I am in a lean, or a car pulls out and I need to make an emergency stop, my wheels would have locked early in those conditions.