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ABS - worth it? ABS - worth it?
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  #1  
Old 6 Feb 2009
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ABS - worth it?
Hi, all!
(Since this is a BMW-specific question, I hope I'm posting in the right place)

Looking to buy an F 800 GS. Almost every dealer is stocking them with ABS, but a few have them without (or are willing to order). Anti-lock brakes adds about $900 to the price.

Anyone have experience with this? I'm a city rider looking to start adventure riding when the weather breaks. Have never ridden with ABS before, and am concerned about the "liability" of running through brakes every year - at BMW prices, no less.

Thanks for your input!
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Old 6 Feb 2009
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What do you mean liability of running through brakes?

i have a K1200RS and love the fact ABS is there on the crappy days to save my skin...
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Old 6 Feb 2009
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Oh dear, massive can of worms opened

-Those that have BMWs with ABS will say it's great, get it, saved their lives many times, etc, etc.

-Those that have BMWs without ABS will say it's not necessary, don't get it, added complexity, etc, they have never needed it.

That's more or less what happens every time ABS is mentioned, oh & I fogot one more -

Those that don't have a BMW will say don't get a BMW!!
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  #4  
Old 6 Feb 2009
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The ABS on the 800GS can be switched off when you go off of the paved road.
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Old 7 Feb 2009
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Don't listen the bollox from both sides.

First question would be are you mr. Valentino Rossi or anybody from racing scene? If not, then...

Check the real life tests and make up your own conlusions:

No Fault Braking, A Real-World Comparision
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  #6  
Old 7 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Margus View Post
Don't listen the bollox from both sides.

First question would be are you mr. Valentino Rossi or anybody from racing scene? If not, then...

Check the real life tests and make up your own conlusions:

No Fault Braking, A Real-World Comparision
That makes for fairly positive reading (though 17 years old)

So would I be right in guessing, Margus, that you do ride an ABS equipped bike?
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  #7  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl P View Post
-Those that have BMWs with ABS will say it's great, get it, saved their lives many times, etc, etc.

-Those that have BMWs without ABS will say it's not necessary, don't get it, added complexity, etc, they have never needed it.
And those whos have a BMW with ABS and hates it...
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  #8  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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Presuming you'll be on pavement most of the time, I would definitely get ABS. I went to a BMW training course where they had us (and the trainer himself) do a hard brake with and without ABS to see which worked better--on pavement, ABS was a big difference, but on a gravel/dirt road, you can stop better w/o ABS. But it is easy to turn off before getting on such roads, so it's OK.

And I have seen very little about technical problems with the ABS on the BMWs, so I wouldn't worry that much about reliability.
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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Thoughtful replies
Thanks, all, for your thoughtful replies.
It doesn't seem to be a black & white issue, really, but it's helped me decide.

I think I'm just resistant to the price, but, it is in essence a safety feature, and as a year-round NYC rider, well... $900 is less than any hospital bill. And a 3-year warranty does add comfort to the prospect of ABS failure.
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  #10  
Old 28 Feb 2009
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Just to fuel the fire...

I wouldn't want ABS even if the option were thrown in for free. In fact, if it were standard equipment, I'd be looking at another motorcycle.

Plus, I've never needed it...in 33 years of riding.
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