1199S with ABS or without???

LDucati 1199S · Dec 15, 2011

Currently i have reserved a 1199S ABS but thinking about it. I might consider down grading. I plain on taking the bike to the track as much as i can and ride on the streets. Maybe even race it when the time comes. My current R1 i bought brand new and in a year i accumulated 14K miles, yeah i ride a lot. i never rode a bike with ABS, but i have only heard great things about the system. I figured ABS wouldnt be bad on it since in race mode only the front is turned on, but it also adds 5.5pounds to the bike and an extra $1,000.

Thoughts?

2012DUCATI1199 · Dec 16, 2011

I've never been on a track. Just street. But , I've never had ABS , and figured I don't need to spend another grand on it. Base model for me !

512BB · Dec 16, 2011

TABS can be turned off, however, a couple of folks opined on the fact that even with the ABS off that the brake feel may not be as good as non-ABS given the length of the piping from level to pad. I also believe that the ABS system stops the bike from flipping over as in stoppies.

I have ridden BMW's S1000RR on the track and in Track mode it also turns off the rear ABS and to me the brakes felt great, it really allowed me to find the limit for late braking better (needles to say I consider myself wet behind the ears on the track).

I have also ridden the S1000RR and with the ABS on it applies some braking to the rear wheel (I believe the 1199 will also do the same). That actually felt pretty good as on the street there are more incidences requires firmer braking - at least where I live where it's fairly populated.

I opted for the ABS.

LDucati 1199S · Dec 16, 2011

512BB said:
TABS can be turned off, however, a couple of folks opined on the fact that even with the ABS off that the brake feel may not be as good as non-ABS given the length of the piping from level to pad. I also believe that the ABS system stops the bike from flipping over as in stoppies.

I have ridden BMW's S1000RR on the track and in Track mode it also turns off the rear ABS and to me the brakes felt great, it really allowed me to find the limit for late braking better (needles to say I consider myself wet behind the ears on the track).

I have also ridden the S1000RR and with the ABS on it applies some braking to the rear wheel (I believe the 1199 will also do the same). That actually felt pretty good as on the street there are more incidences requires firmer braking - at least where I live where it's fairly populated.

I opted for the ABS.

Thanks for the input. Helped a lot in making my decision

craigslistbuyermn · Jul 23, 2013

Why not get ABS ? It may cost more but a oh sht moment will pay for itself

gatti man · Jul 23, 2013

No abs. You don't need it if you are a skilled rider. I'd only consider it if it was my only vehicle since then it would be subject to rain and freezing ground.

VAST · Jul 23, 2013

absolutely 100% get ABS -- you can never ever in emergency situation stop faster/better than the ABS system -- anyone who claims they can outbreak the ABS is plain FOS.

if it saves your ass just once it's well worth it, and then some. and there's better resale on the ABS i believe.

good case in point:

Ducati Monster 1100 ABS - brake tested - YouTube

vik · Jul 23, 2013

anybody whos never tried ABS and says abs is .... is obviously living in lala land. that being said if this is your first experience with abs please go to an empty lot and test how it works, you NEED to know how and when to use it.

gatti man · Jul 23, 2013

vik said:
anybody whos never tried ABS and says abs is .... is obviously living in lala land. that being said if this is your first experience with abs please go to an empty lot and test how it works, you NEED to know how and when to use it.

It's not necessary on a track bike or really any bike if you can modulate the brake. It's not about it being .... or not its about wasting 1,000 and adding unnecessary weight and complexity.

vik · Jul 23, 2013

gatti man said:
It's not necessary on a track bike or really any bike if you can modulate the brake. It's not about it being .... or not its about wasting 1,000 and adding unnecessary weight and complexity.

and i presume you are a pro level god, good luck with your modulating technique when you experience something unexpected and your survival instinct kicks in and you grab that lever....

Stw · Jul 23, 2013

gatti man said:
No abs. You don't need it if you are a skilled rider. I'd only consider it if it was my only vehicle since then it would be subject to rain and freezing ground.

This seems a very arrogant point of view....ABS is a must for street riding IMHO... Track bike then not so much ... but having a view that in an emergency your skill level is that great could be a dangerous attitude...

gatti man · Jul 23, 2013

Stw said:
This seems a very arrogant point of view....ABS is a must for street riding IMHO... Track bike then not so much ... but having a view that in an emergency your skill level is that great could be a dangerous attitude...

Saying its a must is just not true. If it was a must how did I daily drive an R1 through college without crashing in the rain and sub 30 degree weather? It's not a must its a crutch and if you need it then ok but a skilled rider won't need it.

vik said:
and i presume you are a pro level god, good luck with your modulating technique when you experience something unexpected and your survival instinct kicks in and you grab that lever....

Wow. So I have to be pro level to not flip my bike or lock the front tire in an emergency situation? It's easy if you use proper technique. I brake with 1 finger and that pretty much solves it, one and a half for very hard braking. It doesn't require a pro level of skill just experience.

Stw · Jul 23, 2013

gatti man said:
Saying its a must is just not true. If it was a must how did I daily drive an R1 through college without crashing in the rain and sub 30 degree weather? It's not a must its a crutch and if you need it then ok but a skilled rider won't need it.

I have ridden for yrs without too....But I bought the 1199 with Abs...I think its foolish not too buy it if available...call it a crutch if you wish...

wilkson · Jul 23, 2013

I love it . I don't need airbags in my car either but when the time comes if ever I am glad they are fitted .
I still have ABS on the front only while racing can go deeeep into corners. The ABS on the Ducati's is excellent .

CrazyDuc · Jul 23, 2013

I'd say look into finding a "S" with abs since the lighter wheels will make up for the extra weight the abs system tacks on... But either way I'd go with the abs, I also still have my 2007 R1 and I haven't and don't plan on touching that bike.

littlejohn · Jul 23, 2013

Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it..

I'm clearly no Rossi or stoner... But at least I know it

littlejohn · Jul 23, 2013

gatti man said:
It's not necessary on a track bike or really any bike if you can modulate the brake. It's not about it being .... or not its about wasting 1,000 and adding unnecessary weight and complexity.

Umm.. I think you've sort of missed one of the points about active safety systems.

All these systems whether they be ABS, DTC etc etc are there as an aid for the pilot so they are able to focus their attention on more important tasks, such as steering or timing/throttle or brake application.
Sure a pro rider can ride without the assistance, but with assistance, he can focus on taking the right line every time and will allow him to be more consistent.

As for wasting $1000? I've done my fair share of riding MTBs in crazy muddy downhill conditions, so I can modulate to the cows come home, dare I say more than most. But when I'm on the MTB, I only have to think about myself.
On the road however, I'd rather have time to focus on other road users than to have to waste precious milliseconds modulating brake application.

White13Pani · Jul 23, 2013

ABS.
For your information the 2013 S is only available with ABS in the united states. 100% You want ABS. Ignore anyone saying you don't. You can always disable the ABS, but you won't ever be able to add ABS for that measly $1,000.

Resale of any of these without ABS kills resale value by at least that $1,000 so you won't lose money in the long-run.

craigslistbuyermn · Jul 23, 2013

Abs abs abs. When you grab a handful when a car pulls out in front of you

gatti man · Jul 23, 2013

littlejohn said:
Umm.. I think you've sort of missed one of the points about active safety systems.

All these systems whether they be ABS, DTC etc etc are there as an aid for the pilot so they are able to focus their attention on more important tasks, such as steering or timing/throttle or brake application.
Sure a pro rider can ride without the assistance, but with assistance, he can focus on taking the right line every time and will allow him to be more consistent.

As for wasting $1000? I've done my fair share of riding MTBs in crazy muddy downhill conditions, so I can modulate to the cows come home, dare I say more than most. But when I'm on the MTB, I only have to think about myself.
On the road however, I'd rather have time to focus on other road users than to have to waste precious milliseconds modulating brake application.

He said its mainly going to be a track bike.

White13Pani said:
ABS.
For your information the 2013 S is only available with ABS in the united states. 100% You want ABS. Ignore anyone saying you don't. You can always disable the ABS, but you won't ever be able to add ABS for that measly $1,000.

Resale of any of these without ABS kills resale value by at least that $1,000 so you won't lose money in the long-run.

I will take that bet. Long run I bet resale will be almost identical.

1199S with ABS or without???

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