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should I buy with abs Iam from new zealand

2K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  chiefkeefe 
Debs,

A good question you raise. As Norm indicates, this is a subject that divides opinion within the motorcycling community every time it is looked at. Norm and Dom skillfully present both sides of the argument well, and I would like to add a little to that:


  • 1. ABS should be viewed a braking assistance device for emergency braking in wet weather or on loose surfaces – especially beneficial in built-up and or urban areas.
    - ABS is not a way to reduce braking distance of routine braking in the dry, and all braking techniques that are applied with non-ABS bikes must be applied when riding a bike with ABS.
    2. ABS doesn't mean the brakes don't lock, it only means that they lock for fractions of a second which gives you a much better chance of staying upright in the rain in such emergency/panic braking situations as outlined above.
    3. Unless you don't ride in the rain, you can't choose under which weather conditions something will swerve into to your path, so ABS is certainly a "nice to have".
    - You may never use it, and indeed that's a "nice problem" to have. In 28,000km of all-weather commuting on my Reflex ABS, even in panic-braking situations it rarely engages, but one is "thankfull" when it does.
    4. In my experience, driving standards deteriorate along with the weather, so to stay safe we need to be most skillful when conditions are at their worst.
    5. The 650 is a hugely competent motorcycle, and with consistent practice (eg, practicing emergency braking in wet empty parking lots) this can be handled like a lighter scooter such as the AN400.
    - Not everybody has the time to practice weekly or even ride weekly which may leave them less well prepared for these events when they happen.
    6. ABS can take a lot of skill and luck out of the equation, and replace it with a dependable support system - so that the pilot can focus on the ride.

    Note: The "combi-brake" system on the AN250/400 and SilverWing is very good in this respect, too. The AN650 standard model is not fitted with a combi-brake system.

I'm with Norm and Don on this one. My advice is to get the ABS version if you can - you can never have too much brakes.
 
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