hi all I am new to this forum(first post) I have had a firestorm for 8 years and I am now looking for a 2012-2015 blade. I have read a little on the abs problem but still wanted to ask this question. should I go for an ABS model or not thanks ps this is my storm
Welcome. Some people have had no problem but if you get a problem you are basically on your own as Honda deny it completely. Bleeding takes an age and needs special tools, and the Honda dealers will want hundreds of pounds to do it. Personally I wouldn't touch the ABS model, but if you see a good one at a good price then you can always remove the ABS. Not sure how if it it affects insurance, but people have done it.
Hi Bazza, and welcome from a fellow Storm owner (1999). Yours is looking really good; shame (for the sellers) they're not fetching much money now. Even though I've got a couple of Blades, mine aren't in the years of reported problems so I'd best leave that discussion to those affected. However, if I were to be buying a 2012 - 15, I'd consider the ABS secondary to condition, mileage, history, etc.
to ABS or not to ABS; is this the question or another can of worms A lot depends on your personal preference or state of mind plus the reported issues. On the state of mind, if your riding is safe and good then you can do without. But if you regularly have moments for sliding or locking up when braking, then either improve your technique or get an ABS the technical issues is something you need to read , digest and decide on the risk factor of potential problem. A year after I bought my RR8, some owners reported heavy oil consumption but touch wood, I have never had the problem. So you can't really assume they are all bad
Understand your point @bonjo , but if a rider is to become reliant on ABS for braking he is then devoid of one of the most critical elements of riding and that is handling a motorcycle under severe adverse conditions.
I'd rather have a Firestorm than an ABS Blade! (I've had 3 Firestorms - top bikes). I have had an ABS Blade (2012 RRC) and would never have another. I swapped back to a NON ABS one. Have a read of this https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/im...d-if-you-own-an-abs-2009-onwards-model.11881/ and various threads on here. If you do go for an ABS, don't come on here complaining about it
Yep, enjoying my 1999 'Storm'. Totally different ball game. Come on @Ian E . That would limit the amount of posts some of us could make in response!!
I've posted this a couple years ago but it's worth repeating. When I came back to litre bikes, about 3yrs ago, I was about to buy an ABS Blade and happened upon these stories about it being unreliable. Apparently VOSA had been involved but had exonerated Honda. A friend was, he's now retired, the VOSA contact for the Post Office who obviously have a big HGV fleet. I asked him to enquire if there was any truth to it. He did and just said don't buy a Honda eC-ABS bike. Like mentioned earlier, it's not ABS per say, it's Honda's shite earlier eC-ABS, it doesn't work reliably.
Sorry for the late reply, I did not receive any email notifications and been busy looking for blades Thanks for the comments Nigel, it is a fairly clean storm and you are right they do not fetch any money at all. Thanks for all your reply’s. It looks like a non ABS black on black 2012-15 I’m looking for
got it spot on there my old 17 plate Repsol lever back to bars no brakes,, Honda wasn't bothered no My new s1000rr abs yes simples
