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Now that I have finally gotten rid of this blasted limp I've had for the past couple of weeks, I've been getting more serious about finding a new bike. Something I see popping up more and more are the inclusions of ABS (anti-lock braking system) for an extra x amount of money, and more recently, CBS (combined braking system).

I've had two trucks in my short lifetime, the first not having ABS, and the current one equipped with it. I can say that it has been somewhat useful. I make it a habit to stay several seconds away from the vehicle in front of me, but you can't always see very far ahead, and when traffic comes to a screeching halt, ABS has been helpful.

However, given that motorcycles already have superior braking power, how much difference is ABS going to make? The FZR didn't have any fancy shmancy stuff like that, and the beast could stop on a dime (I had a little fun in a massive abandoned lot a few times...) with no hint of protest or trouble.

And what about CBS? Is it really "worth" it?

Does anyone have experience with one or both of these systems on a motorcycle?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe CBS is probably where you have one control for both brakes, with a built in bias. But I might be waaaay off.

Got it backward the CBS has been here a long time at least back as far as 84 on Wings. (dual disc front end w/ one as front brake and other tied in with rear) Spyders have a true CBS system w/ all three working at same time.

ABS became popular around 94 when BMW came out with their new version of ABS. Also be careful with ABS on gravel (most GSs can turn off ABS for gravel)

I understand the concept behind CBS, but how much of a difference does it really make? Doing some reading about it, Honda talks about how it enables riders to more easily achieve high deceleration. In all honesty, it's easy enough if you have decent brakes and even a semi-steady hand. Or have I just been spoiled by the FZR?

If it really makes a big difference, I'm not sure I necessarily like the idea completely. Good braking skills are a necessity, and CBS is not a universal thing. I personally don't want to be near other riders who have not taken the time to refine their braking skills and who rely on a smart machine to do it for them.

Ok. Just saying that I haven't really seen the term until recently.

But I want to know if it's worth having.

Is CBS another term for "linked brakes"? If so, I personally steer clear of that. Had a scooter with linked brakes once (Honda Reflex). Impossible to use the rear brake without bringing on one piston of the front brake, which made it useless for steadying the bike in parking lot turns.

i wouldn't have cbs because i like being able to use just the front at times and just the back at times.

abs on the other hand... it's not about making your braking power stronger. i have pretty strong brakes on my fz6. but it's about keeping you from locking them when you freak out and grab a fist full of break or stomp on the back brake in a panic. now, should we all practice emergency stops and have a great handle on what our brakes can and can't do so when we're in these situations we can brake just shy of locking them up? yes. i practice quite regularly. but the other night coming home i locked up my front brake in my back yard to keep from running over a rabbit. didn't help that i was on grass. i was going slow and bike decided to take a short nap. thankfully when i picked it up there was no damage.

i've been thinking... what if that would have been on the road? or what if that would have been the dear i saw earlier that night? would i have locked up my front brake then too? even with all my practice? i wish that the fz6 came with abs over here. it has it in england. i think with honda putting it on their new cbr's... it's only a matter of time before it's pretty standard on just about all new bikes. and if i could get the same bike but with abs - i'd pay the extra for it. i'd still practice braking. but it'd be nice to have abs for those times that i might panic.

linked and combined aren't the same thing. i think linked means when you hit either front or rear brake, both get applied. combined means when you hit the rear brake it applies limited pressure on the front or applying the front applies partial pressure on the back.

they covered it in the BRC i just finished but i don't have the book handy to look it up. i'll try to remember over the weekend and check back to make sure i got it right.

but yeah, ABS isn't a bad thing at all. just helps you when the "oh snap" light goes on and the pucker factor goes up.

jaskc78 wrote:combined means when you hit the rear brake it applies limited pressure on the front...

Looks like a great description of linked brakes

Thanks for the replies. Will give some consideration to ABS (since the Interceptor has the option for it, and I'm heavily leaning toward that particular bike...).

ABS became popular around 94 when BMW came out with their new version of ABS. Also be careful with ABS on gravel (most GSs can turn off ABS for gravel)

And no BMWs for me. Sorry, Lion_Lady...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL1pq-ZBeGc