New Rider - the ABS dilema

DECIMIS

DECIMIS

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ABS or non-ABS, I've read many discussions and videos regarding this topic. As with everything regarding motorcycles; it's ultimately up to the riders preference. After a lot of reading and watching, I think this is how I feel:

(Is this flawed logic?)

I'm a new rider, with virtually no experience. I want to learn how to be a skilled rider; how to properly ride and handle my machine.

I have no doubt ABS is safer in emergency situations. However, if I were to get a bike with ABS, I fear I would not understand proper braking.

With ABS, a new rider would rely on technology to operate their vehicle safely, and never truly understand braking.

I know this phenomena affects commercial airline pilots. Although air-travel is safer now, then ever before, some new pilots actually have less ability to manually fly the airplane, because they are so reliant on technology.

What are your thoughts on ABS for beginners. On a bike like a Ninja 300. Please keep in mind this is a first bike, with which the rider wants to learn proper skill and handling. I'm the type of guy who reads owner/instruction manual cover-to-cover before starting. I'm the type of guy you see setting up pylons in parking lots practicing. I have every intention to practice emergency braking and try to train reflexes.

I believe I do not want ABS on my learner bike.

Does my logic make sense, or do I have something wrong? Thanks in advance! This forum has been a huge help.
 
Your logic does not make sense. Get ABS.

A very common beginner mistake is not using the brake enough, or being scared of the front brake, when bad stuff starts happening. ABS takes that fear away and could save your life.

It will not be many more years until all new bikes have ABS, and it will be standard practice.

I don't own a bike with ABS, but if I were to buy a new one now in which the choice were available, I'd get it.
 
Brian P said:
Your logic does not make sense. Get ABS.

A very common beginner mistake is not using the brake enough, or being scared of the front brake, when bad stuff starts happening. ABS takes that fear away and could save your life.

It will not be many more years until all new bikes have ABS, and it will be standard practice.

I don't own a bike with ABS, but if I were to buy a new one now in which the choice were available, I'd get it.
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+1

I would never buy a bike without ABS again. ABS will eventually be on every single new road bike, or virtually all of them. Its a great technology and has been around a while, so you know its not a fad that will just disappear. If you really want to ride without it, just turn it off.
 
It feels very much like a regular brake when your regular braking, but when you grab a handful in a panic it may help you stay in control. I'd take it if it was available. I've ridden both and never used ABS in an emergency, but I'd have it.
 
Just get ABS. Your logic is bad. If any bike I want is available with ABS, I wouldn't even think about it.
 
i was unable to activate the abs on both bikes i tried, until it was at the point of locking up the front wheel. this is just how its supposed to work. it shouldnt kick in until it needs to prevent a wash-out.
 
Thanks all! I do appreciate and value your opinions, and will be following your advice. One thing different about this thread, compared to everywhere else I've been reading about it: everyone agrees, get ABS. When everyone says the same thing, it makes things easy. Look around, it's not hard to find threads where people argue against ABS. But thanks again - I trust you guys, even though I don't know you. Seems like a great community with really good support and advice.
 
For a street bike (new rider or not), the answer is easy, ABS. Even if you train constantly and are gods gift to braking prowess, reacting quickly enough to crap on the road (oil/sand/coolant/diesel/painted lines/metal covers/etc.) is almost impossible. On a track with predictable traction, training yourself to brake properly is a great idea.

Just be careful, ABS isn't good enough to compensate for turning your brain off. Some systems don't work below 10 km/h, I don't know if any can save you if you brake hard in a corner, and it's still important to try to progressively brake to transfer your weight forward.
 
Your logic makes sense - to a point. Consider getting the bike with no ABS.

Now, firstly let me say that I am not against ABS.
Second, as you can see, I am in the minority here. So take it for what it's worth.

I don't know how much ABS is (in dollars and cents) but it may be worth to pay for it, on a new bike, if it is available, if only for “what-if” scenarios, and for future resale value.

Now, a couple of things:
There is nothing more admirable that a guy who wants to acquire skills. Your post suggest that you are the kind of rider that will practice and practice until skill is developed. Good for you.
So, you decide to pay more and get this feature in your new ride, keep in mind that ABS in the bike, by itself, will not make you a skilled or unskilled rider. ABS may, or may not, do things easier. People still crash, and get hurt, and get killed, with ABS and traction control, on those top of the line bikes that are full of technology.

Talking about the skill - - Kind of unrelated example: My girlfriend wanted to learn to drive a manual transmission. She knew an automatic car is more conformable, and allows you to drink your coffee easier on the way to work. But she wanted to learn the skill. She has been driving manual transmission for many years now. Is she a super-skilled performance driver? No, but she know a couple of things about driving that other women, who drive only auto, don’t know.

Currently, I do not have ABS- will I buy it for my next bike? Don’t know, the bikes I like and can afford are pretty much lacking this kind of features.

With no ABS, am I at risk? Sure, a heightened risk under some specific circumstances. I can live with it, because I am relying on my other skills. I guess I ride pretty slow anyway compared to the young ‘uns around here.

Good luck and be safe...
 
Get abs - its soon to be mandatory.

If you want to learn without ABS - take an off road course and you will be a better street rider.
 
ABS for the win unless you fancy yourself a pure sportsman. Have you seen those guys climbing cliffs w/o safety harnesses? In todays world riding is nothing like that. Especially on a Ninja 300.
 
Brian P said:
Your logic does not make sense. Get ABS.

A very common beginner mistake is not using the brake enough, or being scared of the front brake, when bad stuff starts happening. ABS takes that fear away and could save your life.

It will not be many more years until all new bikes have ABS, and it will be standard practice.

I don't own a bike with ABS, but if I were to buy a new one now in which the choice were available, I'd get it.
Click to expand...

+2

My next bike will have ABS. Motorcycles should not be sold without ABS.
 
MarcosSantiago said:
Well, I don't follow all the news all the time.
Maybe Premier Kathleen Wynne is introducing new legislation, and I have't heard about it.

A link to the announcement would be helpful.
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It's not going to be legislated, it's going to be demanded by insurance companies and liability lawyers for the motorcycle companies. Selling a new bike without ABS will paint a big legal target on your back. That's why all cars have ABS.
 
ABS is so good they should put it on GP bikes. Combined with traction control, 2/3 of the puzzle will be solved. Then there's the nasty biz of leaning into a corner, the bane of street riders everywhere. Science will find a solution.
 
inreb said:
ABS is so good they should put it on GP bikes. Combined with traction control, 2/3 of the puzzle will be solved. Then there's the nasty biz of leaning into a corner, the bane of street riders everywhere. Science will find a solution.
Click to expand...

ABS and TC is already on AMA racing. MotoGP bikes have TC. This poser, "too cool for ABS" attitude usually comes from people who end up making insurance crash statistics.
The roads are not a racetrack.
ABS will not get you around a track faster, you are still limited by tire grip.
Even now, insurance companies should give discounts for ABS bikes.

In case you want to learn something:

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Features/RideReports/AntiLockBraking.aspx

http://www.ridergroups.com/402/keith-code-motorcycle-technology-can-save-your-life/

....to sum it up Keith replaced the 600cc bikes he was using at the race school with the BMW S1000RR. The S1000RR is one of the fastest production sport bikes on the market, it is a rocket. So, new racing students + super fast bike = more motorcycle accidents, right? Not right, the S1000RR’s are equipped with ABS and Traction Control. The frequency of on track accidents have dropped DRAMATICALLY. All of this on a bike with loads more HP and speed potential than in the past. Read the article below for a full explanation from Keith.
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