Dammit, Honda!

[DarkKnt]

You can't replace skill and ability with electronics.
Well, that's debatable. But more importantly, often you can't replace adrenaline with skill and ability.... That instant preceeding a "panic" stop doesn't give enough time for skill and ability to over ride the reflex of grabbing a handful of brake. The bike goes down because the wheel locks instantly, and you haven't even got to the scene of the crash yet! That's when (and only when) you'll "miss" ABS. In controlled settings, you're correct, ABS will not better a skilled rider (racers don't typically use it). An expert rider can apply the brakes in such a way as to first transfer weight, maximize the contact patch, and then squeeze on the exact pressure to just about lock the wheel. But this is when he (or she) has the opportunity to be anticipating the brake marker. Lap after lap. He is completely absorbed in picking that brake point and then maximizing braking performance. On the street however, when a deer runs out, or the mattress flies off the truck, most riders - even experts who are fully engaged in the ride - will often not be able to control that first snatch of the lever.

[Verismo]

You can't replace skill and ability with electronics.
Well, that's debatable. But more importantly, often you can't replace adrenaline with skill and ability.... That instant preceeding a "panic" stop doesn't give enough time for skill and ability to over ride the reflex of grabbing a handful of brake. The bike goes down because the wheel locks instantly, and you haven't even got to the scene of the crash yet! That's when (and only when) you'll "miss" ABS. In controlled settings, you're correct, ABS will not better a skilled rider (racers don't typically use it). An expert rider can apply the brakes in such a way as to first transfer weight, maximize the contact patch, and then squeeze on the exact pressure to just about lock the wheel. But this is when he (or she) has the opportunity to be anticipating the brake marker. Lap after lap. He is completely absorbed in picking that brake point and then maximizing braking performance. On the street however, when a deer runs out, or the mattress flies off the truck, most riders - even experts who are fully engaged in the ride - will often not be able to control that first snatch of the lever.

Well put.

[Allen Framen]

You can't replace skill and ability with electronics.
Well, that's debatable. But more importantly, often you can't replace adrenaline with skill and ability....

This is when ABS becomes quite valuable.


allen

[53driver]

You can't replace skill and ability with electronics.
Well, that's debatable. But more importantly, often you can't replace adrenaline with skill and ability.... That instant preceeding a "panic" stop doesn't give enough time for skill and ability to over ride the reflex of grabbing a handful of brake. The bike goes down because the wheel locks instantly, and you haven't even got to the scene of the crash yet! That's when (and only when) you'll "miss" ABS. In controlled settings, you're correct, ABS will not better a skilled rider (racers don't typically use it). An expert rider can apply the brakes in such a way as to first transfer weight, maximize the contact patch, and then squeeze on the exact pressure to just about lock the wheel. But this is when he (or she) has the opportunity to be anticipating the brake marker. Lap after lap. He is completely absorbed in picking that brake point and then maximizing braking performance. On the street however, when a deer runs out, or the mattress flies off the truck, most riders - even experts who are fully engaged in the ride - will often not be able to control that first snatch of the lever.

Emergency braking is one of the most important skills to practice I think. And yes these bikes have really good brakes, the best I've ever had on a bike. I still bet ABS would be even better for the average Joe!

I don't think it's as debate-able as alleged, but maybe for the "average Joe"?

Okay, simple question:
Why be average?
(The average guy drives a Ford E______)

I encourage everyone to be "better than average."
In the high risk experience that is motorcycling, "average" isn't good enough.
Strive to be better than others around you in the Quality that is YOUR motorcycle riding.

How?
Take a class or two and LEARN techniques for PROPERLY employing your brakes and while you're at it, learn some cornering skills?

We all know that ABS, when engaged, actually INCREASES your stopping distance.
Properly applied brakes, whether ABS of not, will give you the MINIMUM stopping distance available for that particular scenario.

If you KNOW you are not using and practicing threshold braking religiously abilities and have no desire to do so, then yes, ABS is your crutch.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Cheers,
Steve

[Cooter]

Great Post Steve. I wonder how many guys and gals actually practice stopping and close quarter turns. I am by far NOT the best rider out there. I do strive to be better by practicing when I can. I have stretches of back roads near my house that I use and vacant parking lots on the weekends. You can improve your skills with a little practice.

[Joflewbyu2]

I am starting to see low mileage (2-5k mi) DCT wings for $15,999 - $16,999. Has me thinking but not willing to take $11k for my 2014 Deluxe with 10k miles. $12,500 gets my interest though. Hmmm

[2wheelsforme]

Emergency braking is one of the most important skills to practice I think. And yes these bikes have really good brakes, the best I've ever had on a bike. I still bet ABS would be even better for the average Joe!

[woody]

Emergency braking is one of the most important skills to practice I think. And yes these bikes have really good brakes, the best I've ever had on a bike. I still bet ABS would be even better for the average Joe!

Totally agree my 2013 F6B has ABS and it worked for me when confronting 3 kangaroos. I sure would like cruise though.

[VStarRider]

Well put.

Agreeing with your agreed. ABS is just behind oil and tires as a topic that generates opinions. I don’t think one’s ability to maximize braking minus electronic assistance in a panic stop is a physical attribute, it’s a mental one.

We can practice threshold braking every day, but I don’t know how to practice for not impulsively grabbing the brake when a vehicle pulls out in front of you suddenly and you have 50 feet and one second to manage that situation. One could make the argument that a series of events led up to a scenario like this, and I would agree...but sometimes it’s too late to reverse those factors.

With my ABS equipped Wing, I’m not riding any further degree of risk than I am when I’m driving my airbagged, stability controlled Subaru compared to my 87 Dodge Shadow, which had none of these features. I do ride with a feeling of confidence that, in the event of a panic stop situation, my decision making reserves can be applied to an escape route, not threshold braking with several possible other factors instantly accounted for by the ABS and not my brain.

[Travelor]

We can practice threshold braking every day, but I don’t know how to practice for not impulsively grabbing the brake when a vehicle pulls out in front of you suddenly and you have 50 feet and one second to manage that situation. One could make the argument that a series of events led up to a scenario like this, and I would agree...but sometimes it’s too late to reverse those factors.

With my ABS equipped Wing, I’m not riding any further degree of risk than I am when I’m driving my airbagged, stability controlled Subaru compared to my 87 Dodge Shadow, which had none of these features. I do ride with a feeling of confidence that, in the event of a panic stop situation, my decision making reserves can be applied to an escape route, not threshold braking with several possible other factors instantly accounted for by the ABS and not my brain.

Well said. Preparation is one thing and absolutely necessary for safer riding, but the reality of a panic driven handful of front brake is quite another. The tires were chirping and the ABS chattering the other day on my K1600GTL when the teenager driver looked right at me and pulled out anyway.