been a few reports of massive fade and like you say failure on track.... keep it simple is what i say.... as with T/C - if you dont want the power, use less throttle and if its too much to control, then why have it?
Below is a link to a very good video comparing ABS and Non-ABS equipped fireblades on a wet Bruntingthorpe track Honda Fireblade: ABS v non-ABS - YouTube It's good evidence to show that ABS will stop you quicker in the wet. I agree with the previous comments regarding difference in feel - I have an ABS-equipped 2012 Blade, and in comparison to the stopping power of the non-ABS demonstrator I rode, there is a noticeable difference in the bite, i.e. the brakes feel softer on my ABS bike, but very sharp on the non-ABS demo bike. It still stops bloody well in the dry though, so i cant fault it there, but then again on track this may be a different story. Knowing 2 people that have crashed in an 'oh sh1t' moment by locking the front wheel in the wet, I'm glad I have it 'just in case'. Sam
Well i have it 2011 model with hel braided lines and a brembo rcs master and i must say it MINT!!! Its kicked in a few times behind me mate with his last minute O i am gonna stop and really settles the rear of the bike even without touching the back brake!! Its a massive ABS for me as i love it so much cos its just cool as fook
Apologies haven't read the whole thread. Had a few bikes in the workshop (Blades) recently with C-ABS faults. Honda give a fixed rate time of 4.7 hours to bleed the system which according to the service schedule is required at 12000 miles. That's a lot of additional labour to the cost of the service. Then at 16000 you have the valves to check, again labour intensive. Then you have the faults as I've mentioned, seems to be the front power control unit that needs replacing, drop the exhaust and move rad so another big job, plus bleed. Great whilst under warranty but when out not so. Part is approx £1200 alone. However, it's supposed to be a very good system.
People would never ask the question if it's a car. ABS, Airbags, ESP etc. all the safety parts are standard in nowadays. Would you buy a car without seat belts, Airbags, ABS etc. because it's 700 GBP cheaper? So, the answer is definitely with ABS ! If you buy a non ABS model, then it should be a real bargain in compare to the ABS model and I don't think that 700 GBP are much. In some European countries Honda is selling the new 2012 Blade only with ABS for the last year non ABS price. Also you have to consider the fact, that it will be difficult to sell a non ABS Bike in the future.
My current Blade is my first experience of linked brakes; I like it. The ABS side is one thing & I guess you only notice it when you need it; the bite & feel are as good as any setup I have tried. Its the combined braking I'm a fan of. I havn't used the rear brake much on bikes since I started doing trackdays (many winters ago) & had completley gotten out of the habbit; too much going on for me already when entering a turn. The c-abs bike feels so settled under all braking conditions I have found myself in so far, but I havn't used it on a track. Long term reliability questions & possible maintenance asside; it gets my vote at the moment.
Having a car I can use when I want without ABS, Air bags, power steering, roof or windscreen etc,,,I can tell you when its not warm and dry it can get very interesting.150BHP and 640KG and rear wheel drive and very easy to spin as I know in the wet or cold. So a good point.
Hi, I chose not to do the ABS thing, who knows i may live to regret that one day, but as my riding is pretty much dry funday riding now I decided not to. I know its only £700 and I spent far more than that on shiny bits so it can't all be down to money....... I personally prefer the tail end without the ABS box (particularly on the 2012), plus as mentioned above its one more thing to go wrong, its additional weight, and would no doubt add to servicing costs. I also ran a few Lotus elises over the last 10 years (pre kids!) and got very used to braking without ABS. I remember it was tricky at first but after a while i could brake very well without electrical assistance. Just my view of course, and we can all do what we think is best.
The main reason I asked the question is that in 18 years or driving cars and 9 ish on a bike I've never needed ABS. The only time I've activated it on the car is to test it actually works! Nice to hear peoples opinions !
My first 2011 Blade didn't have ABS. If it did I think I'd still have it now. The pics are on here if you haven't seen them yet. My new Blade has ABS so that gives you my opinion. I'm a dry weather rider normally but you just never know. Agree about the not so pretty back end. Looks a bit like a filled nappy which is what put me off first time.
The story is here... http://1000rr.co.uk/general-1000rr-discussion/1163.htm I've got another 2011 Repsol but with ABS.
With hail the size of golf balls looking back do you think abs would of saved the bike ??? just a question out of interest. I guess already answered by the purchase of the ABS version. I just think with everything you must have had to contend with in those few moments and the road conditions, maybe with ABS the result might of been the same ? Did the other fella that went down have ABS or did the mate that stayed shiny side up have ABS, sorry for the questions but intrigued
I think the main problem was the shredded wet leaves and the fact that the hard shoulder is always dirty. I think the hailstones where that big that the front tyre would have pushed them aside rather than roll over them. This wasn't even an "oh shit grab a handfull" moment, we were slowing down and had made it from the fast lane to the hard shoulder before losing it. Mate who also crashed reckons ABS wouldn't have made a difference but I honestly believe it would.
Thanks mate, I am not trying to make a point just interested to hear how you felt it effected you not having it. I have already said my bit earlier in the thread, however I don't think we will have a choice soon, most new bikes are having ABS, TC, wheelie control, launch control etc etc as STD, especially the sports bike market, I like the fact that the blade is so good in most situations it does not need them, but if i get one fitted with it one day I will probably be glad of it, if I ever need it.
No Problem, like I say my mate who was with me at the time doesn't agree with me ! Never prove it one way or the other. One of the reasons I bought the non ABS Blade first is that I wanted to own one of the last litre bikes with no rider aids. As you say before long every bike will have them as a matter of course.
Never had the option of ABS when I got my latest Blade in 2008. Never needed it in over 40 years of riding including snow, rain storms, floods and black ice because it wasn't available. I've only ever had 2 cars with power steering or ABS. To my mind the more aids you have the more lax you become, tending to rely on the technology to keep you safe instead of skill, experience and common sense. Just my opinion.
Yeah your sort of right BUT a rider with your outlook and time on a bike then add aids makes you even better
