Choosing between ABS vs Non-ABS ST!

I use ABS

  • Total voters
    33
Maybe I need to clarify that my two ABS systems were defective, hence my removing the fuse. These are high mileage vehicles.
The first example the ABS was modulating before it was necessary. NORMAL braking, pedal half way down. dry clean road.
When the ABS modulation started the pedal slowly went to the floor and rate of deceleration went to OMG am I going to stop in time!!!

This is something that we should not take for granted. Learning how it works in a controlled situation, parking lot, is an excellent idea.
You want to know how it works before you are in a panic...
 
Well, I can tell you that merely being the owner/operator of any tool, and using it casually, doesn't make you proficient. In fact, you will find out very quickly that you suck. And under pressure, you will suck even more. Seek out professionals and take classes. Only then will you understand what you don't know, and how to improve your performance. Then go practice.

RT
 
jfheath said:
The standard models had no adjustable screen. I don't know if that is the case in the states.
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In the US, the 2003 model year did not have a motorized windscreen (yet still adjustable to two heights, manually) ... starting with 2004 and on, they all come standard with a motorized windscreen
 
STraymond said:
I guess that if you have locked the brakes on your non-abs bike(s), then that's what you've missed.
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I haven't missed having ABS on the ST. The brakes on it are the best I've ever experienced, even without ABS. I do know what I'm missing on my Road Star, however; it doesn't take much to lock the rear wheel on that one.
 
When I progressed from an 1100 without ABS to an 1100 with ABS, it was a revelation to me. Always nervous of the consequences of pushing things beyond their limit - or worse, beyond my skill level - I never wanted to reach the point of having a rear or front lock-up. But on one very wet day I was out for 4 hours in some pretty heavy rain and I practiced some fast riding and hard braking. I realised that I had a safety net - that providing I kept the bike upright and maintained my distances, it didn't matter if I braked too hard, and I could test the limits.

What I found was that there is far more grip available on wet roads than I ever imagined. I was braking much harder than I would ever want to for that way that I normally ride. I never reached the limits of the bike. My nerve gave out first !!

cyberwolf009 said:
I do know what I'm missing on my Road Star, however; it doesn't take much to lock the rear wheel on that one.
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The same applied to the non ABS 1100 - easy to lock up on smooth tarmac. The combined braking system on the ABS version and on the 1300 helps to prevent a rear wheel lock-up by reducing the pressure to the rear caliper pistons as you increase the pressure on the brake pedal (and on the front brake lever - limiting the amount of 'help' the SMC provides to the rear wheel.)
I've never ridden a non ABS ST1300, but given that the ABS rarely kicks in, I reckon that I wouldn't notice not having it.
 
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I'm old school when it comes to many things. However, I have come to embrace the new technology on motorcycles. My 2016 Africa Twin has six suspension adjustments, a DCT transmission with four setting plus the ability to operate manually if preferred. It also has ABS and three levels of traction control.
ABS is a bacon saver (Like Dave says) in a panic stop. It allows me to get the most out of my brakes without fear of crossing the line and causing a skid.
DCT shifts better than I can which achieves maximum performance. If I were to drag race the same bike with a manual transmission the DCT would win.
Traction control cuts engine power when rear wheel spin detected, which can be a performance tool (3 levels) and a bacon saver.
I've stopped resisting and think I am a safer rider with this tech than I am without it.
 
My ABS comment -

You don't need til you need it, then you're mighty glad you got it.

I think it is much more important on the ST1100s as the ABS calipers (without the ABS) are much better stoppers than the standard ones (I've got both).
On the ST1300 that you are looking for, not as much.
It's just another piece of safety gear sort of like riding gear and helmets - you hope you don't get put in a situation where you get to find out just how good the stuff really is. ;)
 
So far............... I've bought and paid for seat belts, air bags, helmets, all types of bike ATGATT, tens of thousands of dollars I'm sure over the years, and I've never used any of these things, not even once, so obviously they are a complete waste of money, until you need them and then they can be a life saver.

As has been mentioned above, ABS rarely kicks in, but if you need it, its there for you.

My 2002 ST1100 is a non ABS model. When the time comes to change bikes I'll certainly be getting a bike with ABS.
 
I'll paraphrase something I read decades ago:
A skilled rider on a known (non-ABS equipped) bike with known tires on a known road in known weather conditions can, with practice, outbrake a bike fitted with ABS. Change any one of those things and the ABS-equipped bike wins every time.

Since I ride on lots of roads in all kinds of conditions, I'll never own another street bike without ABS (not counting classics). That said, in almost 150k miles on my ST, I've never needed the ABS.
 
ABS or not - rider skills is still the dominant factor. If you are not working on skills on a continuous basis, and excuse yourself because you have ABS, that's the wrong attitude to have.
 
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red one said:
My thinking is proper training and riding technique would be more favorable to avoiding a crash than relying on abs. To answer you question no i don't have it on my bike but i do ride rather defensively. That more than anything has saved my bacon.
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+1

ABS shouldn't be a purchasing consideration. If you get into a situation and need it, real world, you'll be glad you had it. But a lack of ABS wouldn't stop me buying a bike.

As others have said, it depends on your personal risk profile.
 
Where we just moved to, the final road is more like a steeper mountain trail ,
the abs will be convenient, that being said my experience with abs is not “grand” .
My old BMW rt had a abs sensor died on it, so when I went to sell the bike it was a extra cost to purchase one to safety check it (a must in Ontario) I rode that rt for thousands of k’s with non functioning abs and had zero issues (electrical tape over the irritating flashing ABS light was the only fix I did).
So for me I’m not really feeling that I need ABS
But that’s just my own opinion, for me.
 
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