Blue vs. Black ABS

[csharg]

Looking to buy a new 2014 valk. My 1998 is blown apart and is going to take a while for me to repaint and get back together. I really like the new blue color, but I am looking for opinions on if it is worth it to go with the black one with ABS. I think the black looks okay, and would be just fine riding it, but is the trade off worth the black and extra $1000 for ABS? All of my bikes have been older and I haven't had ABS on a bike yet.

[idcrewdawg]

I paid the extra for the abs. I thought, still think it was worth it. I've stopped on wet pavement with it, and not skidding as a result of the road conditions was rather reassuring.

[bscrive]

It is my first bike with ABS, and I didn't think it was worth the extra money, AT FIRST.  After a couple of really quick panic stops, one when it was raining.  I find that it IS worth the money.  

[dhaile]

If I could have found a Valkyrie with ABS, I would have paid the extra to purchase it.  If you do not ride in wet weather, then it is not as big of an issue.  I think highly enough of ABS that I added it to my ZX14R.  I bought all the necessary stuff from  wrecked bike with abs and transferred it to my ZX14R. It required a complete different wiring harness,ecu programming, abs pump and all the lines.  The Valkyrie should come standard with it IMHO.

[Kidd]

Where are you , what state , town ?

I am looking too , I have missed a couple of deals where a 2014 was selling for $9,999.98 puls TTL

 I  am in Ariz

Looking to buy a new 2014 valk. My 1998 is blown apart and is going to take a while for me to repaint and get back together. I really like the new blue color, but I am looking for opinions on if it is worth it to go with the black one with ABS. I think the black looks okay, and would be just fine riding it, but is the trade off worth the black and extra $1000 for ABS? All of my bikes have been older and I haven't had ABS on a bike yet.

[csharg]

I appreciate all the replies. I am in California, and while there are a lot of 2014's here, I only found one with ABS and the dealer is pretty proud of it so far. I am probably going to end up getting a red one since it is considerably cheaper than the other bikes I have found around here (almost 3k less than the one ABS model). It seems like the best deals have already passed since all of the ones I see around here are in the 12-13 range prior to ttl.

[Kidd]

saw one on craigs list for $10500  , private party , no tax , in California
that was 2 weeks ago

[dans2014]

  Rode my first bike with ABS last week, no comparison on safety. I f you can find one and afford it, get it. It could save your life

[ledany]

If I could have found a Valkyrie with ABS, I would have paid the extra to purchase it.  If you do not ride in wet weather, then it is not as big of an issue.  I think highly enough of ABS that I added it to my ZX14R.  I bought all the necessary stuff from  wrecked bike with abs and transferred it to my ZX14R. It required a complete different wiring harness,ecu programming, abs pump and all the lines.  The Valkyrie should come standard with it IMHO.

It is standard in Europe. It is really useful when the speed goes under 30 miles (rain, zebras etc.). I'm not crazy about the brakes on the Valk, I think they are really weak (no synchronized front and rear brakes the GW have  ) and I guess I may have to stop in emergency one of these days  so that's why I'm glad to have the ABS.
Fortunately with 20' miles on the clock (36 000 km), I never had to use it ! 

[AdrianR]

That was easy for me...

[hubcapsc]

I don't have ABS, and don't have any problems, but having it
would have to be a plus...



ABS aside, I think the Valkyrie's brakes are AWESOME.

-Mike

[Robert]

I don't have ABS, and don't have any problems, but having it
would have to be a plus...



ABS aside, I think the Valkyrie's brakes are AWESOME.

-Mike

My sentiments exactly and I would also say that the Valk has bigger brakes than either the Goldwing or the F6B with less weight so I would have to disagree with Ledany on this one.

[mikesgotmods]

I guess I'm lucky that black is my favorite color!! Anyway, i almost went with the F6B in black, but no ABS option in the USA. I think it's standard everywhere else. I briefly considered getting a Canadian F6B, but I got a killer deal on my black 2014 ABS Valkyrie at my nearest dealer. Now just to add bags from Corbin, and a windshield and all is well.

[ledany]

I bought a red one not to be taken for an HD rider 

@Robert : I guess my hands are not as big as yours in the new world  and I confess I usually use the brake lever with only two fingers, which is enough on recent BMWs (I'm a convinced beemer, to tell the truth). I'm probably a spoiled guy, I like to brake hard effortless and this is one of the items I didn't like on my GSX-R 1000 2008 (brakes are crap). I didn't like the brakes on the BMW S1000RR though because without the ABS, you really think the bike will  soon be upside down and you'll be thrown over board 
I recently changed the OEM brake pads for TWR Lucas, it's better but not dramatically. The next step, if ever, is a PR 19 thing.

[AdrianR]

I don't have ABS, and don't have any problems, but having it
would have to be a plus...



ABS aside, I think the Valkyrie's brakes are AWESOME.

-Mike

Hey Bob....those are some cool pictures man!  I can already seen the line I'd be grabbin' entering that turn HOWEVER..those shaded areas man...WATCH OUT FOR ICE!!   I gotta hand it to ya...wouldn't be riding my bike in those conditions...

My sentiments exactly and I would also say that the Valk has bigger brakes than either the Goldwing or the F6B with less weight so I would have to disagree with Ledany on this one.

[hungryeye]

My Valk has standard brakes and I am very happy with them. I also have an 09 HD Super Glide 100% stock except for seat and windshield. It has Fred Flintstone brakes. If you want to experience crappy brakes on a motorcycle, ride a Harley.

I have owned many ABS bikes including Goldwings and beemers. I like having them but I don't obsess over them. Never a deal killer for me.

[Dublflush]

 While abs is a great safety aid. I think not having it on the Valkyrie is not as big of a deal as it would be on a sport bike or shorter wheel base bike. I have locked the front and rear on mine at around 55 due to an idiot in traffic ( dry road ). The bike was stopped fully in an extremely short distance and slid strait.
 Once in a while I practice emergency stops on my bikes. The valk has good breaks that could be even better with steel lines. Don't be afraid to grab big handfulls of front break on this bike, even in the rain ( if your going strait)!

[dinosnake]

While abs is a great safety aid. I think not having it on the Valkyrie is not as big of a deal as it would be on a sport bike or shorter wheel base bike. I have locked the front and rear on mine at around 55 due to an idiot in traffic ( dry road ). The bike was stopped fully in an extremely short distance and slid strait.
 Once in a while I practice emergency stops on my bikes. The valk has good breaks that could be even better with steel lines. Don't be afraid to grab big handfulls of front break on this bike, even in the rain ( if your going strait)!

Well remember, until some various movable locations in the fork & swingarm the Valkyrie DOES have steel brake lines - REAL steel, as in hard metal tubes, not even overbraided Teflon sleeving.  Hard core!

[Dublflush]

While abs is a great safety aid. I think not having it on the Valkyrie is not as big of a deal as it would be on a sport bike or shorter wheel base bike. I have locked the front and rear on mine at around 55 due to an idiot in traffic ( dry road ). The bike was stopped fully in an extremely short distance and slid strait.
 Once in a while I practice emergency stops on my bikes. The valk has good breaks that could be even better with steel lines. Don't be afraid to grab big handfulls of front break on this bike, even in the rain ( if your going strait)!

Well remember, until some various movable locations in the fork & swingarm the Valkyrie DOES have steel brake lines - REAL steel, as in hard metal tubes, not even overbraided Teflon sleeving.  Hard core!

  If you follow the lines with your hands, you will see there is more soft rubber hose than steel!

[cookiedough]

Your call, but I'd be more concerned on which color you prefer and better deal that can be had vs. deciding on ABS or NON ABS braking.  Like most say,  not a deal breaker, but nice to have in the rare instance you will need it could be beneficial.  If not a heavy braker or ride much in rain or gravel/sand conditions much,  I really don't see the need 95% of the time for having ABS.  WE lived 20-40 years of riding bikes without ABS, we can survive another 10-20 years without them.

As most say, should be standard ABS braking anyways from factory but is not, but 1 grand more in price I'd rather spend on upgrades like hwy. pegs, windshield, side bags or backrest over ABS braking.

[Robert]

I bought a red one not to be taken for an HD rider 

@Robert : I guess my hands are not as big as yours in the new world  and I confess I usually use the brake lever with only two fingers, which is enough on recent BMWs (I'm a convinced beemer, to tell the truth). I'm probably a spoiled guy, I like to brake hard effortless and this is one of the items I didn't like on my GSX-R 1000 2008 (brakes are crap). I didn't like the brakes on the BMW S1000RR though because without the ABS, you really think the bike will  soon be upside down and you'll be thrown over board 
I recently changed the OEM brake pads for TWR Lucas, it's better but not dramatically. The next step, if ever, is a PR 19 thing.

Funny you mention hand size I put on the Avon grips and they are longer than the oem. I wound up moving the switches and brake master in about 1/2 inch and didn't realize how narrow the stock grips really were. With the stock grips the palm of my hand was pretty much on the chrome and had to reposition a few times because of over hanging the end of the grip. Now my hand is always centered and always on the rubber so it makes grabbing the brakes more intuitive.

Now I have never driven a BMW but a 750 pound bike being driven like you do maybe you are not accounting for the weight or speed. Maybe you think you have a smaller BMW under you 
Think about the grips also, I also found that on throttle rotation I was twisting what seemed to be a bit to far, now its comfortable to go the full throttle range. The new Avon grips made it more like the Goldwing with throttle range.

I will never forget my motorcycle class teachers reaction when I asked why not use 2 fingers . He about blew a gasket in when I asked him why and then when he tried to pull the lever all the way back to the grip. I was surprised it didn't break, while I still remember the lesson I too sometimes in traffic will use 2 fingers.

[dans2014]

  Forgot to mention, Your Insurance will be less with ABS as well because it works and the Insurance companies recognize it!!! Don't be fooled, it is better, period.

[Robert]

Forgot to mention, Your Insurance will be less with ABS as well because it works and the Insurance companies recognize it!!! Don't be fooled, it is better, period.

Never had any insurance co ask me for abs on a bike, now on a car yes but a bike no.

[bscrive]

Insurance companies already know what your car/bike has as soon as they punch in the VIN.  That tells them everything they want to know about the vehicle.

[Robert]

Even with vin they ask because sometimes they don't pull up all applicable options by vin.