ABS, or lack therof....

[GS1100GK]

Does the fact that Buell has not developed a bike with ABS bother you?  Would you choose a bike with ABS over a Buell without ABS, say a Concours 14 with ABS over a XB12XT without ABS?  

Inquiring minds (mine included) want to know.

[atadaskew]

I'm holding off getting a bike without ABS.  I was considering a Victory Vision ( I kid you not, I loved the test ride) but canned that idea when I realised that they do not offer ABS.  On a brand new design touring bike that costs $22K!  All the other touring bikes out there - including Harley, offer ABS brakes.
As for the Buellyses, all it's rivals offer ABS whether it's the KTM Adventure 990, BMW GS, or the new Moto Guzzi Stelvio.  So that can be a very valid concern for you.

[Brad1445]

I would prefer it had ABS, my last Sprint had it and I think it helped me a few times.

[Rogue]

I recently got a VFR and I chose the one without ABS.  I just don't think it's something that I NEED on a motorcycle.  If I wanted additioanl safety, I would either buy a car or wear full leathers all the time.  It wouldn't stop me from choosing a particular bike.  

For decades bikes have been available without ABS and they were just fine.  Now all of a sudden it's a must have?  I'm failing to comprehend the reasons why.  If safety is that much of a concern, a car would be a better choice.  

[Thor]

Oh no!!!!!

Not another goddamn ABS discussion.  Please, please tell us what oil you use!

(On a side note, Harley is using a smaller ABS system this year in their touring bikes - only the police bikes had it before.  Maybe it is small enough to fit in a Buell now.)

[Clive]

It's a preference for me, but not a deal-breaker.  I wouldn't cross a bike off my list merely because it lacked ABS, assuming it checked all my other boxes.  (But if the bike I liked most had an ABS option, I'd take it.)

My current ride reflects that decision process.  


It might also depend on the riding you do and the environment(s) you do it in.  I don't tend to ride in the wet unless I'm on tour, which is disappointingly infrequent these days.  I don't commute in heavy traffic.  I don't ride on urban streets.  Back when I was bike-only, rode in rush-hour traffic, and went on trips at least monthly ... yeah, the lack of ABS may have nixed a bike I otherwise was considering.

[JamesG]

The kind of person who buys a Buell is not likely to consider the lack of ABS (ie: a "crutch") a major consideration...

Here's your "Buell" with ABS:


 

[scott-sts]

The kind of person who buys a Buell is not likely to consider the lack of ABS (ie: a "crutch") a major consideration...

Here's your "Buell" with ABS:


 

Actually, Harley has an ABS system available that is less expensive and more simple in design than BMW.  If memory serves, it's a $300 option.  All of the magazines gave Harley's ABS rave reviews.

[Brad1445]

The kind of person who buys a Buell is not likely to consider the lack of ABS (ie: a "crutch") a major consideration...

Here's your "Buell" with ABS:


 

I have bought 5 Buells and I like ABS.

[JamesG]

It didn't stop you from buying the Buells did it?

[atadaskew]

It might also depend on the riding you do and the environment(s) you do it in.  I don't tend to ride in the wet unless I'm on tour, which is disappointingly infrequent these days.  I don't commute in heavy traffic.  I don't ride on urban streets.  Back when I was bike-only, rode in rush-hour traffic, and went on trips at least monthly ... yeah, the lack of ABS may have nixed a bike I otherwise was considering.

Thing is, ABS is for those situations that you do not expect.  Otherwise known as emergencies.  Riding in rain is fine, cuz you know it's wet and are riding accordingly etc etc.  ABS is good for the stuff that is unexpected, and that can happen anywhere.

Like you said, this isn't a pro or con ABS argument.  But just maybe something that can sway your decision.

[Clive]

Thing is, ABS is for those situations that you do not expect.  Otherwise known as emergencies.  Riding in rain is fine, cuz you know it's wet and are riding accordingly etc etc.  ABS is good for the stuff that is unexpected, and that can happen anywhere.

Like you said, this isn't a pro or con ABS argument.  But just maybe something that can sway your decision.

Sure.  I'm not debating the merits of ABS.  (FWIW, I think its benefits outweigh any disadvantages, even for the diligent rider.  But that's not relevant to the OP's question.)  My larger point would apply to ANY safety gear a rider was considering.  You can minimize the overall risk "forest" by eliminating or minimizing a number of the "trees", such as riding in the rain, riding at night, riding in commuter traffic, riding in urban settings, ...  (Not to say you end up not riding at all, just that you can exercise a good degree of control over the environment in which you do ride.)

If you ride hard a high percentage of the time, or you ride daily regardless of the weather, or you cover umpteen miles annually, or ..., then you're more likely to buy (subjectively) better gear, IMO.  If I rode my bike one Sunday ride per month and that was it, I wouldn't spring for a Roadcrafter, Dainese leathers, or the like -- it's overkill.  Not that I'd think I was never going down, but that the odds were pretty slim given how little I rode at all.  If was an aspiring track star doing track days every weekend and maybe pressing a little in the canyons, though, I would spend the money on what I thought was better protective gear, simply because I think the type and quantity of riding I'd be doing would increase the chances of having that gear pressed into "protect me" service.

[atadaskew]

Bottom line, if the Ulysses is the bike for you, get it ABS or not!

[Kootenanny]

Does the fact that Buell has not developed a bike with ABS bother you?  Would you choose a bike with ABS over a Buell without ABS, say a Concours 14 with ABS over a XB12XT without ABS?  

No, and no.

The fact that Buell hasn't jumped on the ABS bandwagon doesn't bother me at all.  Like many riders, I would personally prefer a bike NOT have ABS, until such time as I am convinced it will work appropriately in all situations.

[Stray Cat]

Bottom line, if the Ulysses is the bike for you, get it ABS or not!

Now that has been established, we need to talk about break in procedures and what oil to use.

[DannyZRC]

I actually did buy an R1200GS mostly because the Uly didn't have ABS available, and this was right when the uly was coming online and believe you me I was very excited about it.

the GS has some other nice points I like, the lack of brake dive and the very wallet friendly tire choices, but I wouldn't have paid the premium for the BMW for them, I'd have gotten an ABS uly if it had existed.

so count me in the "yes, not having ABS has stopped me from buying a buell" camp.

eying an 1125r very hard atm as a 2nd bike, but ABS has also led me to consider the R1200S and K1200S beside it, despite their obvious shortfall of sporting credential when compared with the mighty buell.

[Snowbird]

Here's my take on ABS.

ABS on the rear brake would be a good thing for most riders most of the time.

The "better" ABS works under slippery conditions, the worse it will work under dry conditions, assuming a rider who can competently apply the bike's brakes to maximum. In other words, what safety margin you gain for slippery conditions, you trade off longer stopping distances in when traction is good; most riding is done in under near optimum traction circumstances.

ABS is better, generally, for those who will ride more, ride longer, ride farther since they will eventually ride under more varied conditions and under more varied  personal states such as tiredness.

ABS is not going to be a factor, pro or con, in the overwhelming majority of motorcycle accidents any more than it has been for automobiles. In  motorcycle single vehicle accidents, rider error (excluding poor braking) is the most frequent cause. In multi-vehicle accidents, the error is most likely on the part of an auto driver.

[Yankee Dog]

The kind of person who buys a Buell is not likely to consider the lack of ABS (ie: a "crutch") a major consideration...
.............

Sorry to disagree.  But the lack of ABS on the Uly drops it off my list.  Nice bike, just what I want but lack of ABS makes it a show stopper.  That leaves the Tiger and GS.

Yankee Dog

[GS1100GK]

Wow!  Now I can understand why manufacturers may have an issue on whether to put ABS on their bikes or not.  All good arguments for and against.  I can also understand why Suzuki offers ABS options on the Bandit 1250 and DL650 so they have the market covered.  

[atadaskew]

Sorry to disagree.  But the lack of ABS on the Uly drops it off my list.  Nice bike, just what I want but lack of ABS makes it a show stopper.  That leaves the Tiger and GS.

Yankee Dog

KTM Adventure 990 comes standard with ABS.