With regards to the ABS versus non ABS ...
Something tells me that the people who don't want to have it, have never had a car turn left across their path with no warning and so close that you knew you were going to hit it.
I have.
When that happens, your programmed instincts take over. You want to stop. You end up applying the brakes that you are in the habit of applying, as hard as you possibly can. (I shudder at the thought of the habitual rear-brakers out there.) I hit the car with the front wheel locked up (no ABS on the bike in question), the rear wheel in the air, and in the process of low-siding. ABS wouldn't have prevented me from hitting the car but it would have meant staying upright. In my case the speed involved was about 60 km/h and I managed to scrub it off to probably 20-ish before impact. At a higher speed, the results would have been worse. You can stop harder with the bike upright and tires on the ground, than sliding after falling off.
The "experienced rider" argument? At the time this happened, I had almost 20 years of riding experience and about 15 years of roadracing experience. My name is not Valentino Rossi, but I think I qualified as an experienced rider.
My newest bike has ABS. YES there are some circumstances that can trip it up ... choppy washboard pavement, for example. But in the situations that cover 99.9% of the time, you don't have to worry about modulating the brakes - just hit them as hard as you can. Doesn't matter if it's damp or if there's a patch of sand. It will sort itself out. And it is absolutely not intrusive during normal riding.
Agreed Brian.
In that emergency, ABS would save your bacon.
I think it comes down to riders skill level.
If you are caught off guard by a car turning left in front of you, perhaps a bit more scanning ahead and anticipating what is about to happen would serve you better than depending on ABS to save you.
I agree, there are a few situations where ABS is a great thing.
Every time I ride in the rain. I always think ABS would be a good idea.
I have been in a few situations where ABS would have been a bad thing.
I also think that the new riders on today's streets are coddled into buying a bike with ABS and never learn to actually brake effectively.
It's like the guy who buys the BMW 1000RR and goes racing and thinks he can ride.
Set him out on an RZ350 or a old GSXR and see what happens to him.
Becoming too reliant on technology, can lead to bad habits.
If you keep scanning for dangers ahead, and make an exit plan even before something happens to you, being caught off guard is a lower risk.
I always say........Plan on the worst thing happening and make a plan in case it actually does happen.
If you think every car driver is out to get you, you should be fine.
I have ridden with you Brian, and I know your abilities.
I think you ride just as well as you do without ABS.
Your skill level is high enough to threshold brake. I know the instinct to clamp on as much brake as possible is not easy to counter act.
Fight or flight.
Instincts sometimes take over, and you have little or no ability to control it.
It's a reflex action.
If I pour boiling water on my hand, it's out of the way before I even know it was hot water.
I hit the brakes in a panic as well.
I prefer to be able to lock up the back wheel any time I wish. It makes me feel safer..