Are ABS brakes of great importance to you when considering a bike?

[TobyE]

My first bike was a Honda 500cc bike with ABS brakes. Now that I'm looking to replace it I find myself hesitating considering any bike that has not got ABS fitted.

This hang up with ABS is of course both costly and limits the choice of bikes. I'm a relatively new to riding and it is a comfort to know that extra safety is there, although I know it can only help so much.

I am also aware that ABS on motorcycles are a relatively new feature, and that people have been riding without "for eons".

So your opinions on ABS are much appreciated. On the one hand I'm thinking "Stop obsessing and just get a bike without ABS"... and then I watch a video like the below that demonstrates ABS braking, and then I'm back to square one. Maybe I should just fit support wheels as in the video... ...

YouTube - ABS vs. No ABS