What's more important, traction control or ABS?

Denver Rick · Nov 2, 2012

My wife just ditched her Triumph 675 Daytona (kick ... bike by the way) by sliding the back tire out on acceleration on some leaves, probably coldish tires as well. Totaled the bike. So for replacement bike (assuming insurance doesn't drop our .....) we're looking at a new Daytona, which she loves, or an 848 Course. 848 has traction control, but no ABS. New triumph will likely have ABS, but no traction control. So on a PURELY safety basis, only spirited street riding with no track riding, which is better to have? Two months ago a guy ran a stop sign causing me to dump bike, ABS may have stopped that. Wife's wash out may have been stopped by traction control.

And before anyboedy says it, I'm not buying her a Panigale.

E350 · Nov 2, 2012

get her the diavel then- comfortable, powerful (especially since you say its for street riding, no track) and it has dtc and abs as standard.

Denver Rick · Nov 2, 2012

E350 said:
get her the diavel then- comfortable, powerful (especially since you say its for street riding, no track) and it has dtc and abs as standard.

I know, quite a burn that many of the non-sport bikes have both. But she will never ride anyting but a sportbike. Hell, she's the one who talked me into it. Besides, Rocky Mountains are just one giant track really.

kensteele · Nov 2, 2012

If I could only have one on my bike, it would be traction control over ABS.

zvez · Nov 2, 2012

for street riding, abs

Phl · Nov 2, 2012

ABS.

it's way harder to brake right in an emergency than to control the throttle right.

although i would say get her the duc

MacaveliMC · Nov 2, 2012

I have a '09 Daytona as a track bike and LOVE IT. You can get aftermarket Bazzaz TC to put on it, and I believe you can buy Triumph's ABS system for it as well!

They are both good systems, but I think I may agree ABS is more important. Throttle control should be learned and practiced more perhaps. Maybe don't drift on leaf covered roads

ScottJon · Nov 2, 2012

Denver Rick said:
I know, quite a burn that many of the non-sport bikes have both. But she will never ride anyting but a sportbike. Hell, she's the one who talked me into it. Besides, Rocky Mountains are just one giant track really.

Thats funny, my wife talked me into Ducati's (THANKFULLY, and we have 2 now), i thought it was great she wanted us both off those harley's

rondo · Nov 2, 2012

I'm riding the Duc ms1200s which has both. The TC is an everyday plus- helps deal with leaves, tar joints (on hotter days)gravel in the road and torquey downshifts. Fortunately, I haven't needed the ABS yet, but one of the reasons for buying into ABS was that I crunched my HD Roadking when a cellphone-talking cager turned into my lane...ABS and a lighter bike (thus the ms1200S) would have given me a chance to avoid the crunch.

Notec · Nov 2, 2012

Probably should let her test ride a Duc before buying one. I know people who love the sound and look but absolutely hate feel (bucking, vibration) and ergos... Daytona is a much smoother bike and a great all around sport bike.

Quiet Bloke · Nov 2, 2012

Dare I suggest a used BMW 1000rr? It would have both and probably fit the budget.

Marcoma · Nov 2, 2012

I've had several bikes with ABS and never once used it. I have, however, crashed an R1 by the very same means as your wife did so I'd opt for TC over ABS....... but thats just me.

geeteethree · Nov 2, 2012

From a statistics point of view ABS will save/prevent more accidents. Having said that you guys seem to be riding a lot of twisties with leaves etc. Hard to know if traction control would have prevented the "off" you described.

I'd go ABS..only because I keep turning my traction control down or off all the time.

efna · Nov 3, 2012

Go with the ABS. Hopefully she has learned from the experience and ,if so, is unlikely to make the same mistake again. That said, maybe some riding lessons are in order???

#NotTryingToBeRude

Cloner · Nov 3, 2012

efna said:
Go with the ABS. Hopefully she has learned from the experience and ,if so, is unlikely to make the same mistake again. That said, maybe some riding lessons are in order???

#NotTryingToBeRude

Wrong question. The most important thing is good judgement. TC won't save a slide in wet leaves. ABS probably won't either. However, the judgement to see those leaves, slow beforehand to a controlable speed, and ride through the situation is invaluable.

As to the question you posed, ABS is the answer for two reasons. First, even experienced riders can overbrake in desperate situations, especially with marginal traction. Overaccelerating is less a problem on most streetbikes, especially midsize ones at street speeds. Second, your insurance company will probalby give you a discount for ABS, but not for TC.

That's my two cents.

TricoloreSF · Nov 3, 2012

For street riding, ABS

DuckRyda · Nov 3, 2012

Get the 1199 abs. Traction confrol and abs. If it has too much power for her, just keep it in wet mode/120hp. I love this bike, it is light like a 600.

Denver Rick · Nov 5, 2012

DuckRyda said:
Get the 1199 abs. Traction confrol and abs. If it has too much power for her, just keep it in wet mode/120hp. I love this bike, it is light like a 600.

There is just no way in hell she is getting a Panigale. For one, she is just not allowed to have a bike comparable to mine, that just would never sit well with me. And two, she especially won't be getting such a bike as a reward for stupidly dropping her triumph.

And yeah, I lean towards ABS. Though it will also come down to whether we get some smokin' deal on a bike like a '12 675R, or 848. I should get her a damn scooter, and bolt on some training wheels until she can prove to me she won't make the same mistake again.

southeastduc · Nov 5, 2012

I think abs if you have to choose. And I wouldn't sweat her making that mistake. At least u have a wife that likes to ride, I think that's pretty cool.

tholstro · Nov 5, 2012

Denver Rick said:
There is just no way in hell she is getting a Panigale. For one, she is just not allowed to have a bike comparable to mine, that just would never sit well with me. And two, she especially won't be getting such a bike as a reward for stupidly dropping her triumph.

And yeah, I lean towards ABS. Though it will also come down to whether we get some smokin' deal on a bike like a '12 675R, or 848. I should get her a damn scooter, and bolt on some training wheels until she can prove to me she won't make the same mistake again.

Ouch! Hopefully she's not reading this!

What's more important, traction control or ABS?

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