Is ABS a Must for Beginner Motorcycle Buyers?

[Camargo]

ABS is not a must-have for beginner motorcycle buyers. Common phenomena among beginners riding ABS-equipped motorcycles are as follows: 1. Tendency to brake hard: Some new riders who start with ABS-equipped bikes often develop an inexplicable confidence when braking, frequently following too closely and applying full brake pressure abruptly. While not everyone may be as extreme as described, it's evident that they tend to brake with excessive confidence, sometimes leaving little margin for error. 2. Poor braking control: The presence of ABS can lead riders to develop the bad habit of 'grabbing a handful of brake,' resulting in poor modulation of braking force. It's important to note that while most ABS systems can maintain stability during straight-line braking, they may still cause skidding during hard braking in corners—except for some high-end models with cornering ABS. Therefore, ABS doesn't benefit beginners in developing fine control over braking force. 3. Weak perception of tire grip: The third point is related to the previous two. ABS makes new riders lazy in sensing front tire grip conditions, making their braking dangerous when riding non-ABS motorcycles or when ABS malfunctions.