Bear with me. I asked this in my other thread but it was buried. I have a dilemma.
I've been looking for a good used VFR. Although they are somewhat common I love the red ones however I'd like to find one with ABS but haven't seen one close to me yet. I have however located a very nice red 03 one without ABS. Hmmm.
I've heard the linked brakes are pretty good and I've heard some people say ABS doesn't add that much to the already great linked system.
I'm just trying to get some feedback on this issue. I know it's been beat to death on every motorcycle forum. This is a little different because it's not so much about ABS vs no ABS but how much does ABS improve the linked system.
All I can say is that I'm glad I have it. It saved my azz a couple of times.
I've had both 02 Non and now an 03 with ABS
Although I only locked the brakes on one survival reaction when a truck pulled out in front of me I still swear by my ABS. Sometimes just knowing they aren't going to lock up gives you a sense of reassurance. Now that I do have them I am probably a bit harder on the brakes then I should be but I won't own another bike unless it has ABS there's nothing quite like it.
I've also had both systems and the ABS is great!! I also think it's pretty damn hard to lock the rear in an emergency when just using the front brake on the linked system. I do prefer the 'bite' and feel of the non-ABS personally, trailing the rear can be fun but it used to annoy me when it started to 'pulse' BUT theres no denying that ABS is a fantastic feature for those who are a little ham-fisted on the back brake, particluary of course in emergency situations.
Well if Honda is now putting them on their super bikes they must feel that even experts can benefit by them.
Both the CBR1000RR and the CBR600RR and now being offered with 'a Combined ABS system light and compact enough to fit a sportsbike' according to Gizmag.com.
http://www.gizmag.co...bined-abs/9955/
End of the day I think it's another one of those things that comes down to 'feel' and rider preference, I loved the ABS on my Sprint ST 1050
You'd be perfectly happy with a non ABS model.......until you make a panic stop in the wet or on unseen gravel. Then you'd wish you had purchased a bike with ABS.
I have them on mine and can tell you that they have also saved me couple of times. Play it safe at get them. I have not heard any negatives to having them. :fing02:
When the deer ran out about 20 feet in front of me a few months ago, I had the front brake covered with two fingers which is my normal riding condition.
Out of the corner of me I, thar she was. I squeezed the front brake and feel that I slowed the bike enough to prevent the dumb creature from hitting me broadside about at the leg. The bike slowed enough to almost miss it but as we know almost doesn't count except for horseshoes and atom bombs.
The front wheel caught its back leg and the bike went out from under me because the deer hit the wheel at a right angle and pulled it left ----- hard.
My riding partner later told me that there was smoke pouring out of the front wheel. I didn't think I pulled all that sever on the front lever but it was an extreme panic condition because I pretty much knew I was going to get hit and had to make all efforts to prevent the contact. There was no time to "modulate" the brakes. This was a two finger pull with standard brake lines and OEM pads.
With ABS, I could have smashed both brakes and not put the tires into a slide condition and there may have been a better chance of recovery in that circumstance.
If I had the chance to change only one thing about my VFR, it would be to have ABS.
Another vote for the ABS from an owner who has logged 25k on both ABS and non-ABS bikes. The brakes on the VFR are simply amazing. That being said, the confidence the ABS brings to wet riding makes it a no brainer for me. I have used ABS several times in emergencies as well. Last fall Bristol BBQ rally for one. On day two a right hander threw me for a loop and without the ABS I KNOW it would have slid out from under me before I got her stopped. Loved my non-ABS bike but like I said, I wouldn't be without it now that I've used it.
Kevin
Ride'n for 40 years, commute daily rain or shine; only ABS for me for my commute bike.
Answer is most likely..."YES"...for almost everyone. Now, I'm gonna' go out in left field and be a little different (imagine that.... ;p ). If I had "MY" preference, I'm not even fond of the linked system on my VFR. I really like linked brakes on rear heavy, cruiser-type seating bikes such as the Gold Wing, VTX1800, Silver Wing scooter, etc., but I prefer seperate front and rear brakes on light weight front weight biased sport bikes. ABS is great on most anything when it is working properly, but since I do all of my own work, I have a tendency to view it as something else electrical to give me a problem at some point, and most likely out on the road somewhere 300 miles from home........... :unsure:
Just hated for this thread to remain 100% positive............... :rolleyes:
ABS is great and I highly recommend it!!
Just hated for this thread to remain 100% positive...............
:laugh: me too Skuuter, but in all thruth ABS is useless on the current 6th gen :goofy: ... seriously though I would go with everyone here, get the ABS model, I'll prob opt for another ABS-Equipped Viffer one day, but thats after I swap for another 5th gen ;p
[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on Sep 10 2008, 09:41 AM, said:
Just hated for this thread to remain 100% positive...............
:laugh: me too Skuuter, but in all thruth ABS is useless on the current 6th gen :goofy: ... seriously though I would go with everyone here, get the ABS model, I'll prob opt for another ABS-Equipped Viffer one day, but thats after I swap for another 5th gen ;p
Life isn't fun without a little "contrast"......................http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n57/rivcyko/vfrd%20emot/davidhappy.gif
ABS was one of the reasons I chose a VFR. A non-ABS VFR didn't make my short list.
I think alot of it depends on your riding experience and what type of conditions you ride in primarily. I ride my bike primarily on the weekends on mainly backroads. I am not a very aggresive rider and I rarely ride in the rain. I've riden motorcycles for 22 years and have learned what I can and can't do when making emergency stops. I consider myself to be a very "defensive" driver and I always try to distance myself from others on the road to avoid potential dangerous situations. Based on my situation I could not justify spending the extra cash on the ABS. I've found the linked braking system to be just fine for me. I've tested them several times braking very hard and have found them hard to lock especially if you are comfortable with using your front brake hard.
Regards,
Rollin
I recently saw a video comparing two bikes stopping on a wet street side by side.
One was ABS the other was not.
It is on the internet somewhere. Google probably knows where it is.
It would be worth finding and watching.
I think it would answer your questions.
I wanted a VFR w/ABS but settled for an otherwise perfect used '04 without it. Still wish I had it tho, esp. since I ride a lot and in all weather conditions. I'll make sure my next bike has it. :)
A very contentious issue this. But my feeling is: get the ABS. There is every advantage to be gained and nothing to lose except the extra money and the addition of 8 lbs or so.
I wouldn't have a bike without ABS.
To those that say things like: "it depends on where and how you ride," or, "I am a safe rider," or, "I have years of experience" I am incredulous. It is not the "average" or "usual" riding conditions that will get you into trouble. It is the unexpected. It is not your "general" style of riding, it is how you react when you decide that one time to be more aggressive or when someone else does something else stupid in front of you. It is not whether you "generally" ride in the rain or gravel, it is when those conditions are thrust upon you. ABS is for the UNUSUAL, for the emergency, for the unexpected. Then, it saves your bacon and your bike and possibly MY LIFE when I am walking, bicycling, or driving a cage next to you. If you don't see this concept than I would expect that you never wear protective gear, use a helmet, and don't have insurance, because after all, I "generally" don't crash or need to report a claim to insurance. You probably also have unprotected sex with strangers. Be prepared or don't be prepared...it is your choice. But to me, all these choices are easy to make if you have at least a 4th grade education. But that is me, I am an opininated bast**d. But I am 49 and have had a TREMENDOUS amount of fun without killing myself so I figure I am on to something by being prepared.
OK, I am done...I feel better now...
I also was looking for a bike with ABS. I wanted a silver VFR with ABS. I figure I would have to wait awhile. I was on ebay all the time and was willing to ship one to Canada from wherever. Long story short I found one ten minutes from my house. A 60 year old guy had it and was selling. 02 Honda VFR 800 ABS silver with 10,800km on it. It was perfect. My point being wait to find the bike you want. Don't settle for anything else. If you do then you will regret it later. Be patient and you will find the "your" bike! Good Luck!
It's almost not worth replying to this thread since it has been so unanimously in favor of ABS with the exception of one Skutterpinion :rolleyes:
Regardless of that, I'm still going to put in my opinion and say YES it's worth having ABS on your bike :fing02:
I agree that ABS is a very good thing to get when you can, but the question that haven't been asked is, do you really need LBS when you have an ABS system? Do the two systems really work together for significantly better braking performance than just having ABS on the bike? If any issues were ever raised with the newest generation VFR braking system, it' mostly the one about The LBS's system's complexity and complicated bleeding procedures. Some also found LBS braking feel to be weird when it first came out. I guess I'm really asking if Honda could just give us a choice between LBS or ABS or both.
Beck
95 VFR
"Should I hold out for Abs"..............I wouldn't hold out too long, they'll disapear on Ya' with age.....TRUST ME.......... :rolleyes:
[image: View Post]XLR8, on Sep 10 2008, 06:42 AM, said:
I've heard some people say ABS doesn't add that much to the already great linked system.
What the heck do they THINK it should add ? It helps you to stop on a slippery surface, isn't that enough ?
Me to. I looked for an ABS bike only. No ABS I didn't look at it... Saved my ass WAY to many times in a car to not have it on a motorcycle. I would bet in a few years, like a car, motorcycles will have to have abs mandatory.
I would say, if you can afford it get the ABS. I bought mine new and could not afford the extra $1,000 for the ABS model that was in the showroom. I would have liked to have it but alas, the old money gremlin played a big part in the decision. That said, I really like the LBS on my 07 RWB. Very predictable and works very well. Wait till you find what you want. DO NOT settle for near enough. You will always think, gee, I could have had.......... Just my $.02
I had the same dilemma some two years ago. I can only say I am glad I held out for my red 02 ABS.
Love this bike!!!
I will attest to the ABS. I was riding to school on Monday and it started raining pretty hard. Just as I was getting to the local high school a bright eyed high schooler pooled out infront of me. Now remember, it was raining pretty good and I was running 50-55 mph. I had complete confidence in the bike and never felt her slipping. I know I wouldn't be that confident on a non-ABS model.
And...you may consider broadening your search. I ended up driving 5 hours away to get my bike. Well worth it.
Thanks everyone!
I should mention, I didn't have ABS on my FZ1 or GSX-R. I did have ABS on my FJR 1300 and I have it on my KTM 990 Adventure.
I have no sporty bike now so the VFR will fill that niche. The ABS saved me with critters 3 times when I was on my FJR.
As far as broad searches go...sure, I've looked as far as Denver and Arizona. My challenge has been time to go pick one up. I had a sweet deal all settled in Seattle and could not find a flight that fit my schedule. :(
this is kinda of nice, having a lengthy debate about something other than the V word :D
Just to satisfy my curiosity I tried a couple of wet road emergency stops the other night and I found it incredibly hard to lock the rear and at one point managed a stoppie. But this is just using the FRONT brake only.. I'm not saying it's impossible, but with ABS there's too much progression and you really have to anchor that front lever on for the ABS to do its thing. I already know my next bike will probably end up being a cheap, mint 5th gen (lack of money trees in my garden at the moment, really want to keep my silver bullet though) but I'll certainly consider an ABS system on a more modern bike, overall I applaud it and I think it's a great tool... just not for everyone.
But the main reason is all that added weight, come on guys, you know my Silver 05 LBS is faster than your heavy ABS models :goofy:
End of thread · 33 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010