ABS or not???

[Cliffy777]

My fellow Americans. Oh, wait. So here is the deal. My local dealer has a 80th Anniversary Edition Rockster still on the lot and they are dealing on it. I can get the .9% financing and not get too badly beaten on my trade in. The one big advantage the Special Edition has (besides being 1 of 200 sent to the US) is the coolio paint job and ABS brakes.
What say you ABS riders???? Does ABS rule or should I sit on my hands?

[Cliffy777]

A picture is in order.....

[username]

i've got abs, and havent used it yet. when i ride in wet, it gives me piece of mind to know it's there should i panic stop with poor technique or on questionable pavement.

a con is the cost should it break outside the warranty, but as some others here are discovering, you can get parts for cheap off of other wrecked bikes. reports are also that the bleeding process is more involved and specific, but i let the dealer do that for me, so i cant comment on it at length.

but abs aside, do you love the thought of this new bike? your current one is a pretty sweet ride...

[alien_hitchhiker]

Cliffy - sharp bike! I kinda like those Rocksters. My current ride is the first bike I've ever owned with ABS. I've used it once in about 17,000 miles. I was commuting to work in the rain on a dark winter morning. I was intending to gun it through a changing stoplight and had just cracked the throttle open. The car waiting to the right had a different idea though and began to roll out while the light was still yellow. Yeah, I know, I was stupid. I grabbed the brakes in a panic reflex. The clunky, whiney sound of that ABS sure sounded good at that moment. Did it save my butt? Who knows? Point is, ABS makes stupidity a little more forgiving. I'm a believer (and also approach stoplights with much more caution).
Steve

[thejudge]

Love the abs, climb on board. It's the future of motorcyling even old HD is putting it on the 05 ploice models. As an auto mechanic we have been dealing with ABS for years, and it will save your bacon. As the technology continues to spread to motorcycles parts and repair info will get more plentiful and less costly. HOWEVER for now if you intend to keep your ABS bike 4 or 5 years invest in the extended BMW warrenty.


Motor on

[BradfordBenn]

I have ABS on the RT and have been pretty happy with it. In theory though it is longer braking distances than non ABS in panic stops, However in all the panic stops I have done I have not seen a problem cause I liked the fact that the bike was under control the whole time.

[mikeb921]

ABS is great. You need to "test it out" so you won't be suprised when you really need to use it. On the down side, now that I've had it for years, I'm afraid to ride non ABS bikes. I doesn't change the laws of physics, but it's like having a laws of physics attorney.
Ride Safe
Rideoften

[riderR1150GSAdv]

ABS has saved my butt a few times, and I now am afraid to ride a bike without it. The system works in the background more often than you think, and you will not always feel it working. I live on a nasty piece of road (US1) where a lot of people jump in front of me to get on. God forbid they wait and get on the road, free of traffic behind me, or anyone else :doh
I would get the bike if you can, as on top of it the Rocksters are really cool :thumb

[breyfogle]

A minority opinion:

When Dr. Rossi switches to ABS, maybe I will also. Until then, I don't think ABS is in any way desirable on a motorcycle. Too much weight, to much cost, to much complexity, to much difficulty in maintenance, etc....., all for a system that most riders will never really activate in their entire riding career.


All that said, the pic sure shows a nice bike. It would be a hard decision for me :dunno

[sgborgstrom]

Buy it quick before before somebody else does...that's one damn sexy motorcycle ABS or no.

Steve

[riderR1150GSAdv]

A minority opinion:

When Dr. Rossi switches to ABS, maybe I will also. Until then, I don't think ABS is in any way desirable on a motorcycle. Too much weight, to much cost, to much complexity, to much difficulty in maintenance, etc....., all for a system that most riders will never really activate in their entire riding career.


All that said, the pic sure shows a nice bike. It would be a hard decision for me :dunno

That's nicely stated, but don't forget that Rossi doesn't ride in traffic with Ma and Pa Kettle behind the wheel of and SUV/ etc, etc. He rides on a closed course with other professionals who also DO know how to ride.
If I only had half of Rossi's skills.... :coffee

[lcarlson]

I had ABS on my old R1100R, but declined it on my R1150R. ABS is definitely worthwhile, but IMO power brakes on a motorcycle are not. As noted in an article in this month's OTL, with the new system, braking is severely compromised in the event of a malfunction that shuts down the servo assist. Also, they cite reports of intermittent servo failures experience while riding. No thanks -

[knary]

I've had a bike with ABS for about 18 months. When I was buying it, I very much wanted ABS brakes. Now? I don't know that I care that much. The ABS activates when I don't want it to, has never come close to saving my bacon (it still comes down to rider skill), and makes a brake fluid flush that much more complicated or expensive. IF I have to choose between two identical bikes, one with and one without ABS...I'd probably pick the ABS equipped bike. But it is no longer enough reason for me to buy a BMW in particular - especially since other brands are coming out with ABS systems.

Yep. A KTM 950 w/ABS is very very appealling. Doesn't matter though. The 1150GS and I will be together for at least a few more years.

[kbasa]

On greasy city streets in the rain, it's pretty handy. Particularly when you're braking and hit one of those manhole covers that have been polished smooth or one of those steel plates they put over holes in the roadway.

[knary]

On greasy city streets in the rain, it's pretty handy. Particularly when you're braking and hit one of those manhole covers that have been polished smooth or one of those steel plates they put over holes in the roadway.

That's often when I wish I didn't have it. With the slightest slip, at least on my older GS, the ABS trips and the brake is released for longer than necessary and the stopping distance increased.

[RTRandy]

Thumbs up for ABS and that's a great looking bike !! . Whatever the down side, they make it safer on the road.

I've been told there's a trick to disengage the ABS on the RT though I'm not sure why you would want to. I'm told if you hold both the left and right turn signals to "ON" at the same time before and while you hit the starter button, the bike will start and the ABS will not be on until you shut the engine and restart without holding the turn signals.

[LeRoux Strydom]

ABS saved my A$$.
:thumb

[PhilScrivano]

I do not like ABS on motorcycles. With over 35 years of riding experience I do not like giving up the braking control when riding on rough rode. Before purchasing my non ABS 2002 R I test rode 5 BMWs with ABS. I found that the ABS system engaged when going over train tracks or when stopping at intersections when the rode was rough. In each case I felt I could do a better job of braking than the ABS system did.

I am sure ABS is better for riding in the rain. This is of little use to me since I live in California and enjoy riding over 1k miles a month year round. Rarely do I have to ride in the rain. If the ABS system was easy to turn off for dry conditions I would consider it on my next bike.

[Cliffy777]

When it was all said and done I told them I would take the bike! I am supposed to get it next Tuesday or Wednesday. Yee-hah.

[James O]

The ABS is a plus. It was one of the reason's I bought a BMW. On dry pavement, in perfect conditions, a professional can out perform ABS, but even they will admit that in the rain, or in a panic situation (If your not a pro) that ABS will save your butt more times then not.

I originally wanted an R1150R with ABS in 2003, but they were impossible to find. I settled on more bike than I could afford which was the R1150RS but had to pay a few thousand more, just to get the ABS.

I've used it 2 times over 10,000 miles and I'm really glad I have it.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

When it was all said and done I told them I would take the bike! I am supposed to get it next Tuesday or Wednesday. Yee-hah.

Great !! :thumb :thumb Enjoy your new ride!! :clap

[kbasa]

:thumb

Go, man, go!

[knary]

:clap

Just in time for winter. :doh

:D

[username]

cliffy doesnt have winter in his part of michigan, he's a rounder. a stone-cold pavement pounder. he rides through winter while others flounder. his neighbors think his judgement could be sounder, but he doesn't care what they say, cause the man is a rounder. there's no stabil in his stable, he's too damn able. winter comes, you sit at your table, cliffy rides by, calls you mabel...

[knary]

cliffy doesnt have winter in his part of michigan, he's a rounder. a stone-cold pavement pounder. he rides through winter while others flounder. his neighbors think his judgement could be sounder, but he doesn't care what they say, cause the man is a rounder. there's no stabil in his stable, he's too damn able. winter comes, you sit at your table, cliffy rides by, calls you mabel...

Speak not of truths that elude your close horizons under the baneful glow of a loving moon.

umm...yeah

[username]

to be clear, when i said 'you' and that sort of thing, those comments were not directed at you knary.

[knary]

to be clear, when i said 'you' and that sort of thing, those comments were not directed at you knary.

:lol
But I want them to be.
I'm in the mood to sling big gooey balls of fermented bile laced with witty malice. Let's start a completely meaningless fight (or I could just skulk back to JM). :stick

[RT DOG]

Basically a beginner rider, ABS brakes is what I looked for on a bike. Even though it is just a piece of mind thing to most people. Myself being a young Fortyish beginner rider. I felt I needed all the help I could get. And the neat handling package engineered in my RT helped also in my pick of the bike.

I seen Cliffy's old bike in the summer of 03 when I was contemplating buying a bike, and loved it, Know I'm wondering if I can afford 2 bikes :D

[Cliffy777]

cliffy doesnt have winter in his part of michigan, he's a rounder. a stone-cold pavement pounder. he rides through winter while others flounder. his neighbors think his judgement could be sounder, but he doesn't care what they say, cause the man is a rounder. there's no stabil in his stable, he's too damn able. winter comes, you sit at your table, cliffy rides by, calls you mabel...

You just made my day, dewd. Laff laff laff....You da baddest MC on an MC bro.

[Cliffy777]

BTW Cliffy, this is my favorite color for the Rockster. Still gonna ride it in slush and salt???

Mike

Why do you think I went with white??? The salt don't show near as bad! (I refuse to ride in slush - my momma raised me better than that.)

[username]

:lol
But I want them to be.
I'm in the mood to sling big gooey balls of fermented bile laced with witty malice. Let's start a completely meaningless fight (or I could just skulk back to JM). :stick

i think it would be more interesting to try to have a meaningful fight. i've never seen or heard of one in my life.

[knary]

i think it would be more interesting to try to have a meaningful fight. i've never seen or heard of one in my life.

First we'd have to find something deeply divisive that caused pain to one or both of us. Hmmm...how's this? The R1150R is a sissy bike that makes BMWs look bad and hurts the resale value of my GS. :D






fine. you found me out. I almost bought one.

[BradfordBenn]

fine. you found me out. I almost bought one.

Didn't you buy a house instead?

[username]

First we'd have to find something deeply divisive that caused pain to one or both of us. Hmmm...how's this? The R1150R is a sissy bike that makes BMWs look bad and hurts the resale value of my GS. :D

fine. you found me out. I almost bought one.

hmmm, ok. i can't say i care what other people say about my bike, but what the heck, i'll pretend to be defensive:

oh yeah? you arent a *real* BMW enthusiast, because all you think about is re-sale value, while i was out today putting 200 miles on *my* bike! if you wanted an investment, you shouldve bought some custom bike.

also, i heard you wash yours, and are afraid to park it on the street.




having a GS would rock.

i'm glad al gore invented the internet so i could do this.

[Grey Matter]

Can’t we all just get along? :D

Sorry to interrupt…

:lurk

[username]

grey matter, i think we are getting along. knary asked me to argue with him, and i decided to give it a try. i'd hate for him to feel ignored.

also, i feel kind of bad for him. someone instigated a movement on one of the other boards to have him banned. it was totally unfair, and i think they should ban the guy who started that thread. anyway, he'll have more time over here and i think we should all strive to help him feel welcome.

for me the golden rule is not "do unto others as you would have done to you," but it is "do unto others as they would have you do unto them." knary seems like a decent fellow, so i figured what the heck, i'll have a fake argument with him.

:D

[kbasa]

Maybe I'll ban both of ya.

I'm just trying to put some drama in here and all. Carry on.

[BradfordBenn]

username... how dare you try to be nice to someone by arguing with them... next you will start using capitals. :stick

Just adding to the fun

[username]

albany, austin, sacramento, boise.

there, i used some capitals.

since it is 77 and sunny, i think im going to impose a self-ban and go for a little ride. today will be a perfect day to go out and pass harleys. :D

you guys stay warm...

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Yeah, I think that they suffer from a 'brainfreeze' ,living so close to Santa they gotta argue to stay warm. :rofl .
Ok guys, be :buds and give eachother a :hug :D