Heard the '09 1K models are coming with optional ABS. Interesting..I think the brakes on the 1K '08's function pretty well especially on sudden or trail braking. Has anybody tested the ABS system or found any differences... thoughts about this ABS feature...

 

I read an article recently that really praised the ABS on the new Honda's. they were dong tests out at a the honda testing facility in the desert, in the rain. The guy doing the testing( and the article) said he hated ABS in cars but couldnt stop talking about how great the ABS was on these bikes, especially in the rain. He gave it very good reviews, said it worked well, brought you downt to stop with no studder except at the very end almost stopped. He went on to say that in the rain they performed excellent and felt that they prevent alot of accidents and save alot of lives on the street.

He wasnt so sure about outright braking on a dry track by a really good rider, but for street use he acted like from this point forward they were a must.

 

I saw a video review where they were slamming on the brakes in the sand and it slowed them down just fine, pretty amazing. I could see it being nice in panic situations, but more of a crutch really. If I pick up an '09 this year I don't think I'll opt for it though.

 

The anti lock I could live with... but I don't want linked brakes. I use the brakes independantly to settle the chassis or stand the bike up(emergency braking). No thanks... I'll keep standard brakes.

 

I've read a lot of threads about ABS and the posts generally fall into one of two categories:

1 - Those who say ABS is good because it can always stop you faster and in a more controlled manner in less than ideal conditions.

2 - Those who think "real" riders don't need it and only bad/new riders should have it because and expert rider in controlled conditions can match or beat ABS performance.

I tend to side with the guys that favor number 1 because for me it's not really about what ABS "does for me". It's just like any other technology on the bike, it has a purpose. ABS's ONLY job is to prevent/minimize wheel lock-up when braking. If you're a good rider on a good surface and trying to stop fast then you really won't lock up the wheels very often so give or take a small percent it's about a wash. I have ABS on my BMW and it's activated maybe a couple of times at most in 25k miles of riding and then only for a second.

Where ABS makes a difference is when you have a less than idea stopping surface, say an oily patch on a wet road, where it's very very hard for even an experienced rider to modulate the brakes precisely to get maximum stopping power. ABS can adjust 50-100 times per second and humans simply can't react that fast so the stopping distance with ABS is dramatically better even for top level riders (and yes, this had been documented but I'm too lazy to go find it right now). Factor in that most sudden stops don't happen on perfect surfaces with advanced warning and it becomes a really handy thing to let the brakes get the most that they can while you concentrate on handling the direction and balance part of the equation.

Now for racing or situations where you WANT to lock the wheels I think ABS isn't worth a whole hell of a lot. Then again, that's what the on/off button is for.

I think it's a good thing for bikes on the street but if someone doesn't want it then I don't see a big deal with that either.

 

The only 1000RR with ABS is the red/black ABS bike with the silver "seat rails". It also comes equipt with an additional 22 lbs. All the other 1000RRs are non-ABS.

I fall into a third catagory:

3 - Those who think that the beauty in riding a 1000cc supersport bike is found in the experience of operating the machine. Including all the pesky things like shifting properly, accelerating properly, braking properly, and changing direction properly.

If I wanted the safest most comfortable motoring experience, I'd buy a car. I don't want/need automatic transmissions, ABS, CBS, airbags, Goldwing type seats, cupholders, heated grips, etc., etc., etc. on my motos.

As long as Honda keeps ABS/CBS as an optional model, I am content.

 

No argument from me.

I have a non-ABS 1000RR and an ABS equipped 1200GS so I have no real bias either way. Two bikes for two purposes. The GS to take anywhere and that I don't have to "ride" so hard and can take in the rest of the experience and if the ABS saves me from one face plant then it pays for itself. The CBR is for riding like you describe, to "operate the machine".

Nothing wrong with either, just depends on the mood at the time.

 

I think Johnny444's take on it is similar to mine but I couldn't articulate it. I also don't like that it is only available in red, and good point about the weight. When I first read about it the weight was a big turn-off. Also add into that the experience of riding, and then the cost and it isn't worth it to me.

 

I'd have to agree, and in my opinion the third category presented here is just a purist variant of category #2. We don't buy high mileage tires and we don't put steering dampers on our bikes to impress chicks. ABS is just another way to help us keep it on two wheels.

The added cost, weight, and complexity are a drag though.

 

I never really thought about it that way. But hey, if a chick IS impressed then maybe she's the RIGHT chick!

That's pretty much it, at least for now. I'm sure it will get to where ABS can make anyone that can keep the bike upright an expert at braking, then it will be banned in real racing and we can all say that "real" racers don't use it.

To be honest, I would rather not have ABS "help" me while racing/track riding because it would dilute the whole experience. But, if it can let ride and yet save my *** when I blow it, well now were talking! I'm too old to go tumbling through the gravel very often.

AMEN!