Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

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ward0043

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Hey guys,

I have been browsing these forums since I was 20. I am now 25, and financially ready to buy a bike. While I hesitated at first with the amount of people I've heard about who have been killed on bikes, I decided that life is to short not to chase the few dreams that we can actually obtain. As such, I passed my M1, and am going for my M2 safety course next month, at which point I plan on buying a new Honda CBR 600cc. My dilemma is that the cbr600rra only comes in the tri-colour, but the cbr600rr comes in red which I would prefer. So my question is, is Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) something that would be worth going with a colour I am not as happy with, and paying another 2000 for?

Thanks in advance for any insight into this,

Ward
 
I just did the same thing you are talking about in this post (Minus the price variance)

I did a lot of research on a bike that would suit my needs as a new rider but would be something that I would not be tired with in a year or two because I was buying new. I found that I really liked the Honda 500 line that was being released this year. So after narrowing down what I wanted to a Honda, I went to every bike show near Toronto so that I could get an actual feel for the bike. I thought I wanted the CBR500R however after sitting on the actual bike found the riding position was not for me but that being said fell in love with the CB500F ... I loved the look of the black one.

Closer to the release date found out that Canada was only going to be selling this bike in Red ... I personally don't like red ... blah!! Now what?? You know what ... I bought the bike anyways because in all fairness, the bike was perfect in every other way. I don't regret my decision .. I have actually come to like the red and have some plans to mod the bike in ways that will dim the redness down ... but like I said .. I don't hate it.
 
Don't want to burst your bubble, I know the thread is about ABS and paint scheme of the bike. However, you will be cautioned on starting on a super sport 600 cc bike. Generally, speaking these bikes are not the best for beginners.


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ABS is a pretty fantastic thing to have, but not for $2000. In fact the difference is $1000 according to http://motorcycle.honda.ca/ and the RRA comes with other goodies that bring it to that price too. Can't judge how much the colour is worth to you of course, but keep in mind your risk of dumping it is pretty good so you're probably not gonna have pristine bodywork forever anyways.
 
abs saved my life last year on my CBF600 and Ive been riding for longer than you've been alive lol.
(not suggesting age or experience in either direction makes any INDIVIDUAL a good/or bad rider) hmm maybe I am. although i am an actuary.
 
I think you should start on something smaller Ninja300, cbr250- both have abs, or some thing like ex500, sv650, etc.. Motorcycling is dangerous, last thing you want is a noob of a sport bike. After you develop some skill on a smaller/ lighter bike, you can get a sportbike.
 
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oops my bad
 
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I appreciate everyone who shares the point of view that a new driver should drive a 250-500. However, I feel that it would be more efficient to buy a 600cc. I trust my patience, cautiousness, and awareness, to help me build my riding skills safely and effectively on the 600cc. Having said that, I think I will buy the 2012 Honda CBR600RRA, as it comes in black. I've been quoted at 1900 a year for full insurance coverage through State Farm.
 
Supersports are a totally next level. Try out the 500 after your course. Don't buy before the course, make sure you can ride first.. when I did my course this guy came and drove his brand new ducatti in on the last day... He had been dropping the 80 cc dirt bike all weekend and he owned an 800+ cc bike... Not a good situation.. I'm assuming he's replaced his fairings a few times.

ABS is awesome, I've ridden a bike with it a few times. A bike without ABS is okay if you know how to brake in an emergency.
 
If you have your heart set on a super sport, check out the 2013 ZX6R, has ABS and Traction Control. I'd get ABS and Traction Control if I had the option.
 
Personally I wouldn't buy a bike (especially a SS) without ABS for the same reason I wouldn't buy a car without airbags -- I hope I'll never actually use it/them, but if I need it/them it's there. The $1000 markup also is pretty much 50-100% of a typical insurance deductible as well, meaning if it saved you even from dropping it once you'd likely break even financially (or better).

Additionally I feel your pain regarding Honda Canada's #(#& colour options -- Had the RRA came in red I might have bought this year, however because tricolour (which I can't stand) is the only option I'll likely wait and see what colours (or colour) is available next year. Out of interest what dealers still have 2012 black RRAs sitting around to look at?

As for the 600 SS to start, I would parrot what others have said and there is a good thread on that topic as well (why SS bikes are not beginner bikes). Careful or not does play a big factor, but it would still be like learning to drive a car using a Veyron or Ferrari vs learning in a civic or an altima -- the potential for a #*#& up is higher, even just from a twitch of the foot/wrist. Again just my opinion, but if you only have your M1 (and have never rode) at least do your M2 course before buying (and keep in mine those little 125s have about 12hp, whereas that 600 would have 120hp, and can hit well over highways speeds in 1st gear).
 
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i think either next year or 2015 all new bikes sold in europe will have to have abs. we should have a law simmilar to that here. go with abs option and you can always paint the bike or get different fairings. also dont overlook the 250/300cc bikes, they are so much fun to flick around
 
I am with most here and choose to have ABS on any/all bikes I own.
 
ward0043 said:
I appreciate everyone who shares the point of view that a new driver should drive a 250-500. However, I feel that it would be more efficient to buy a 600cc. I trust my patience, cautiousness, and awareness, to help me build my riding skills safely and effectively on the 600cc. Having said that, I think I will buy the 2012 Honda CBR600RRA, as it comes in black. I've been quoted at 1900 a year for full insurance coverage through State Farm.
Click to expand...

I started on a 600 SS and did just fine.

Good Luck with your purchase.
 
For the reason that you are a new rider, i believe getting the ABS would be a smart decision. I've been riding for a few years and purchased my cbr1000 without abs. Honda is normally pretty up to date with their technology, however i believe dropped the ball with their ABS module. Believe it or not, the ABS module on the hondas add another 24lbs to the bike, absolutely unacceptable when compared to the kawi's ABS, which only adds 6lbs. Anywaym this is prob a discussion to have when you're more experienced. Get the ABS imo.
 
ABS would have saved me at least two crashes on the street. My new bike will have it and I would now not buy a bike without it unless it had slicks and a race fairing. Even then, it would be nice to have for amateur track work.
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