Braking, gears, starting out questions.

[sapaul]

Hey guy's do not get all gobsmacked over ABS. They do not (as most people think) make you stop any quicker. The only job of the ABS system is to prevent lock up, and this still only works if you are upright. Even on a Beemer if you are on the lean and snatch a handfull of front, you are going down. There is controversy over ABS for this reason that happened to me and a few others,
Whilst riding fast down a sharp right hander and trailing the rear brake which had ABS and linked to the front, the brake reached release point and let go, just for a second. When it happens the first time and you are not ready for it, man there was a brown trail all the way down that hill. On the BMW K1200S, ABS is only on the front brake. :IE if you jam on the front brake hard it activates the ABS and the rear brake. The rear brake is not linked and only operates the rear. In my opinion this is the right combination.

[Lion_Lady]

so motos dont have abs... i thought abs was like ancient technology ... whats going on here guys!!! i actually would feel better with an abs system on my bike.... which bikes are equiped with em now..... just for refrence im probally going to buy a new bike come summer... and give my Honda CBR600 to my brother... (He would $%#@ his pants).. cause its a 95... but only 27000 miles on it [/list]

Most BMWs have ABS either standard or as an obtion, yes, even the little f650s. I believe the bigger cruisers/tourers from Honda and even HD have it available. BMW seems to be the only marque that offeres it across the board.

ABS will not keep you from crashing, what it does do is help you NOT skid/lock up in a slippery situation. I took the MSF ERC on my new to me Rockster and got to see what the ABS feels like engaged. A bit startling, but cool.

P

[flynrider]

ABS is actually more ancient bike technology than car technology. I remember in the mid -80s when one manufacturer (BMW, I think) started offering an early ABS system on one of their high-end models. It wasn't available on any cars back then. It was just a bike thing.