I'm with JB here ... not bothered about ABS one jot, or for that matter traction control, electronic adjustable suspension, 'fly by wire' ... and all the electronic wizardry that goes with the new bike's. The 1150 GS is probably the best bike BMW ever made, after the F800GS and 650 Xcountry
OK, maybe not as fast as a WC/LC 1200, maybe not even as nice to ride ... but the 1150's give their very own unique pleasure of ownership and riding experiences. Easier to maintain, and fixable in far off lands. Always fit my bike's with Wilbers suspension, usually the weak point of any BMW. 20-30,000 miles on standard BMW suspension and it's shot
Over 55 years of motorcycling never needed ABS (my sphincter muscle comes as standard) had a few bumps and offs and I can't think of any one of them whereby ABS might have saved me ... using my brain a little better might have though
It's a choice thing, bit like dayglo ... I'm not about to start justifying my choice in not having ABS (or dayglo) do as you see fit. But I do believe people with ABS and dayglo, perceive a bubble of safety around them
Yes, I know ABS is there if things should go pear shaped, but you would be surprised at the number of people, while training, under emergency braking, still don't bring the ABS in!! So in a real life situation would probably still not use it. Anyway ... it doubles your breaking distance
Nürburgring High Performances courses (three) they will have you braking to the point where you can feel the ABS about to come in ... yes yes I know that one day on the road you might not have such chance
I do believe that if you swap your 1150 for a 1200 then you are now on the 'merry go round' and will continue (read 'need') to swap your bike every two or three years.
Meanwhile an 1150 (or F800GS or 650 Xcountry) are bikes for life
.... and I'll use my available money for travelling
Carry on regardless
