Apologies, I've been lurking on the site for a long time. Long story short, I'm looking at my first litre bike and the blade was top of the list. I actually wanted the ABS blade but of course the issues that seem to affect the brakes has me concerned. I've read the threads and the sticky but wanted to know if there's been any progress or whether I should just opt for a non-ABS bike? It's actually stopped me purchasing one so far but I really wanted the security of an ABS system (well, one that works at least). Do we know when the next new developed blade is due? Thanks
Welcome to the forum No one's sure when the next blade is due! Have heard it's either next year or 2017 but it's long over due
Just buy one without. you don't need it. The brakes are ace. Just use the front and rear together. A lot of guys I know don't use the rear! Don't understand that myself.
Honda have never admitted a problem with the ABS and have not made any major changes to it. Some have had problems, some have had no problems Rumour is the next development of the blade isn't until at least 2017.
As suggested by one without ABS if your concerned. Ive had my ABS 11 plate repsol since new and had no issues. So form my point of view I would not have a issue buying a ABS blade
This is the biggest problem in the ABS debate. Many (probably most) go their entire life without a problem, and, because the kit is doing what it's supposed to do, you will never hear a word spoken about it. The ones that play up, especially as Honda flatly deny that they do, are the basis of massive outrage by owners. And well they should be, because you invest in something that, on the promise of saving your skin on condition that, when you need it, you act counter intuitively to almost everything you've been taught and learned about safe braking before it, and... It just might not work... My take on it is: This is a fantastic resource, but if it were to let me down (and there is evidence to support that it just might), it would be letting me down right at the point where it was my last chance of not rolling a six. If that was on my mind every time I squeezed the lever... well, then I wouldn't be paying all my attention to what really matters when I squeezed it. However. I have to say, I'm a sucker for conspiracy theorists everywhere...
I just purchased my 2015 Blade............... Non ABS. It's a great bike, and I didn't want to spoil the ride by wondering if my brakes might not work at any point. With NON ABS, at least I know it's down to me.