I've been riding motorcycles for decades, never went down once (knock on wood). My 2013 ZX-14R is the first bike I've owned with ABS. On my road trip this week, I was off the main highway on some paved mountain roads going to a friend's house for the night. I was not traveling all that fast, maybe 25 mph when I realized I was about to miss a turnoff, so I braked hard to slow so as not to miss the turn, and at that very spot they had just laid down a bunch of asphalt pea gravel. Not good. The bike got squirrely and the ABS prevented the front wheel from locking up, and I did a nice recover. Mind you, by that time I was probably sub 10mph, but it would not have been fun dumping the bike there.

After the turn, the entire roadway was coated with that crap, maybe an inch thick, so I had to crawl along at 5 mph as it was a steep downgrade. Not fun.

Never thought the ABS would be useful.

Glad for ya Open....it does work...very well.

Pretty cool. Mine doesn't have ABS ... and I hope I don't regret that someday.

I wanted a white w/ABS, but when all I could get was non-ABS in that color, I went for green, all because of ABS. I think it's a wise investment; more important than color.

I ended up with ABS since it was part of my Costco deal, which was $2k under sticker price. A statewide search on Cycle Trader had the same price at only one dealer 300 miles away. So ABS it was.

Luckily for you guys, they aren't linked like the Connie is.

Luckily for you guys, they aren't linked like the Connie is.

That is actually one of the reasons I went for the ZX instead of the C14.

I was going to start a new thread but I think I got my answer. ABS is worth it. Can you feel the level fluttering?

I think ABS is great. But for me it's a bit different on bikes than cars. On bikes, ABS seems to offer better braking only under specific circumstances.

On bikes in dry conditions ABS is sometimes a benefit, and sometimes a liability. As much as it sometimes aids quicker stops sometimes, sometimes is lengthens stopping distance. In the specific circumstance you're a single tire braker, you would probably benefit from ABS. ABS is still not overtly safe on unstable road surfaces, it is nothing a rider can depend on to really keep them upright and safe. In general it helps in wet conditions, but again very specific circumstances more than anything. ABS brakes don't allow a rider to aggressively brake at lean either, or to say ABS does not change the physical limits of grip.

Here's an ABS test Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
One thing to pay attention to is how the stopping test are conducted. Here's my myth for this test showing how vastly superior ABS is to non-ABS. Someone grabbing that much brake on a non-ABS bike is still going to run into whatever they were trying to avoid on the ABS model anyway. OR, in the specific circumstance someone is a panicky rider, ABS might help them out but only in regard to braking.

The test rider does not even attempt to safely stop the non-ABS model, just grabbing maximum braking (isn't it kind of like no shit that's whats going to happen?). Does the test show in this specific circumstance that ABS wins out? Yes. Were they so confident in ABS to remove the gurneys during the ABS testing? Absolutely not! But your bike won't have any training wheels. I know it's possible to brake a non-ABS motorcycle in the rain, because I've rode in the rain.

Overall, ABS does not mitigate the need for safe riding practices. In some very certain circumstances it might make a difference. The thing is, when push comes to shove most likely the rider should not have been in this certain circumstance ABS does actually help out anyway.

Consider this: those of you that have had accidents on motorcycles. How many times was it because you didn't have ABS?

Good points there Vic.

When I first got my 2013...I simply HAD to test my ABS.Went out on one of my favorite roads...got her up to like 80...the road was VERY WET from it raining.On the one straight...I tried to lock her up.Nope...didn't happen.She slowed hard and stayed straight...that couldn't have happened with that kind of braking on my non abs model.NO wiggle...NO strange chassis movement.Just straight dead on stopping.Also have tested it on dry pavement...about the same speeds.PERFECT.Same reliable stopping everytime.I can easily tell...she'll stop much faster and safer with that abs.I believe IF my 2012 had had abs...I would have been able to apply hardish braking in the curve I wrecked on.

I have not yet however tried to apply (much)braking while leaned in.I'm a tad leery of doing that.Maybe I will.I've applied mild cornering braking at times...but that's it.She didn't skip a beat...felt really secure braking while leaned in.

I may be totally wrong with my thoughts on the abs engaging...but I think it might actually be operating at 'various' situations and NOT fully kicking in...kinda like the KTRC deal.Subtle working...unnoticeable really but still operating(mildly).I don't think anyone has really documented any hard facts about the connection(possible)of the abs and the ecu.We know the KTRC communicates with the ecu to make adjustments...maybe the abs does this as well?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/23/2014 @ 7:16 AM *

I remember one time pulling into a rest stop in Nevada. As I was slowing down from cruising speed with a bit of lean angle I found myself in some loose rock a bunch of construction nitwits left on the road. The front tire slipped but regained traction probably only becuase the tire found some clean pavement.

I came away from the experience wondering how a crash like that could ever be prevented. Is this when you want/need ABS?

True guys. ABS won't stop the bike faster than without abs in certain situations. What it does and its real purpose is to help in braking on wet roads, uneven road surfaces, and conditions where tire grip is an issue. Its main purpose is to keep the tires from slipping, locking up, or sliding under slippery conditions to help you maintain braking and control of the bike. May even make evasive monuevers while braking easier as you still hqve some control without wheel sliping or locking up. And yes because of this braking distances could be longer as the brakes will be applying and releasing to help control wheel spin , wheel lock up and grip.

* Last updated by: Blkcasper on 8/23/2014 @ 6:09 PM *

^ Would sand or gravel be included? Or is there not a whole lot you can do?

I rolled up to a stop too fast. ABS came on and I was skidding upright, bars never swayed to either side. Lots of fine grit, pebbles, leaves, and a little wind piled this up and hid it from me. It happened so quick I could not have let off the lever that fast I would have been down or lots of correcting getting it back upright.

That's ABS. Bring It!

Here is a test of an older Honda Fireblade with and without ABS
If you look Kawasaki's has more sensors on their front ABS sensor so it should be even more efficient.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6kO6ltk3a0

* Last updated by: capt10ed on 8/26/2014 @ 6:25 AM *

I agree. Someone who is a WWR should definitely get ABS. Anyone who wants ABS, should get ABS. Do I think ABS will save your ass in 90% of emergency braking situations? Not really.

Last Saturday I was riding in new territory. On one road through a commercial zone I rode north, (then elsewhere) then later on back south this time a little more aggressive. I forgot how the end came and got caught off guard by a quick right right near the stop area. I hit the brakes pretty hard, and locked up the rear tire. You know what? Had no issue. Nope, ABS wouldn't have done jack for me, cause not having ABS didn't not do jack for me.

See what I'm saying?

ABS wouldn't have done jack for me, cause not having ABS didn't not do jack for me.

See what I'm saying?

I see what you're saying, but WEAR is your front brake work? Did you see the old fart out broke the younger testers? Where is your old farttyness?

Wazza rear brake? Is that why that pedal is there. Why I had to look that up in the old testicle mint. It says that's a, 'Squidskidshoestepussy Pusher.'

Signed,

Turtle has not used the rear brake in years.

See what I'm saying?

* Last updated by: Hub on 8/26/2014 @ 8:25 PM *

I see what you're saying, but WEAR is your front brake work? Did you see the old fart out broke the younger testers? Where is your old farttyness?

I use both brakes the majority of the time. I'm still struggling a little with the rear on my Ninja. Seems like nothing..nothing...all (I've spoke about bleeding brakes before for this reason). I just haven't gotten around to it.

Hub I don't need preached too about basic motorcycling. No offense, but save it for other people. I've got near 16,000 miles experience at this point, have never been down* or had an accident of any kind*. That I can tell, this is pretty good for a motorcyclist, especially a sport bike rider these days. So if there's any preaching relationship, it should probably from my direction towards you.

* One time I forgot to put my sidestand down on my old bike, so it fell over when I sat it down. Then another time I thought the sidestand waas down (I put it down, it came back up) and it fell over. Literally these are the 2 incidents I've had.

"I've got near 16,000 miles experience at this point, have never been down* or had an accident of any kind*."

LOL.
Did you mean to say 160,000 miles? Cause there's peeps on this forum with all of that and more! You must have heard the old sayin': "There's two types of motorcyclists; those who have gone down and those who are gonna go down!"
It's true; given enough mileage, we all will 'go down' one day.... sooner or later, guaranteed.

If those miles are in competition, its gonna be sooner rather than later. You could ask someone who's been there........ like maybe Hub? But he can speak for himself!

Unless a motorcyclist is a Moto GP veteran; chances are he or she is not gonna out correct KTRIC or ABS; do without or turn it off if you want "unhindered control" but do so at your own risk and with only your developed skill set and vast "experience" to save your skin.

I'm looking forward to ABS on my next ride of choice. To each their own, its still a somewhat free country.

Cheers.

"I'm still struggling a little with the rear on my Ninja. Seems like nothing..nothing"...what are you trying to do with the rear?In normal traffic...or trailbraking...it should work great.Mine does.Very secure feeling and grabs fine.At 15K+ right now...I just replaced all pads with EBC's(HH Sintered)...the factory pads HAD worn down quite a bit.Didn't really notice how much actually in these miles.But they were ready for sure.Perhaps your rear pads have a glaze on em?Might check it out...it happens.

.what are you trying to do with the rear?

the first 2/3rds of travel is about 10% breaking force (1/3rd is 0). Front is perfect, love the front brake. The rear is like completely opposite to the front. Maybe that's great for trail breaking which I do occasionally. My VF1000F was much more linear, which I prefer. So it was either designed this way (modern design weaker rear brake to avoid lock ups) or the fluid needs bled out. I still need to try this, as when I did the clutch it helped a lot and if it improved 10-20% would be much better and about perfect.

"(modern design weaker rear brake to avoid lock ups)"...she's got abs...she WON'T lock upLOL!!!!

"(modern design weaker rear brake to avoid lock ups)"...she's got abs...she WON'T lock upLOL!!!!

Did you mean to say 160,000 miles? Cause there's peeps on this forum with all of that and more! You must have heard the old sayin': "There's two types of motorcyclists; those who have gone down and those who are gonna go down!"
It's true; given enough mileage, we all will 'go down' one day.... sooner or later, guaranteed.

Ah yes I see. I'm going to waste my time stating this. I'm an urban rider. Probably compared to highway riders my mileage would probably triple. For example, I rode close to 2 hours today, just shy of 50 miles on the odometer. Maybe before you go spouting off like joe-joe-the-idiot-munchkin you should ask what type of environment someone rides in, because in terms of mileage and safety record that matters.

HUH?...no abs?...my bad...;)...just looked on the website...2013 MetallicSparkBlack/GoldBlazonedGreen...shows abs on there.Nothing showing non abs in that color....am I wrong here?

Okay...yes...they did sell that spec without abs....not doubting you Vic...please don't take it that way...but I thought THAT model was ONLY abs...learn something every day;)The Kawi website doesn't say..."optional abs"...it just says 'w/abs'.Sorry about the mixup.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/30/2014 @ 1:19 PM *