Honda has been the leader in motorcycle invations over the years. I first experienced Honda's "linked braking" system on my 1984 GoldWing Aspincade 1500. This linked braking system helps prevent over braking on the front or rear tire. Simply put, if you jam on one of the brakes without applying enough pressure to the other, some of the braking power is automatically applied to the other wheel.

That was an amazing improvement and quite a safety feature on such a large bike. On my 2007 GoldWing GL1800, I now have ABS. But not just any ABS, this is ABS done Honda style. They combined the linked braking and ABS system. Plus they made it so very smooth that when in use even a seasoned rider like myself can't feel any pulsing.

This C-ABS has expanded beyond the GoldWing line and is now available on the higher priced versions of the 2009 CBR600RR and CBR1000RR. This image shows how the ABS connects to the CBR100RR but is is basically the same on all the Honda bikes.

I remember when ABS first came out on cars and people complained about the pulsing feeling. I actually understand you can still feel that. I don't drive cars enough to really notice. I don't seem to feel it on our family car but then again, I don't go around jamming on the brakes.

The first day out on the road, I tried to test the brakes but that inner rider kept me from putting the bike into a slide on purpose so I am not sure that I actually got a real test that day. There have been two times when I have had to mash the brakes on my GoldWing in real world situations.

The first time I used the ABS was on a very rainy morning on my way to work. I was cruising along at 40mph or so (wink wink) when a truck pulled out without looking. I was less than two car lengths away from him at that point. Without a thought I tightened up ready to crash and expecting the back end to slide away. I quickly realized the ABS had kicked in because I didn't slide. I had full control over the bike and was able to drive right around the back end of the truck. There was no room to go the other direction.

The next time (and I hope the last) was on the highway out in centeral Oregon. I was rideing way too fast (as usual) minding my own business when I was passing a car that was in the center turn lane trying to turn left. Well that car at the last moment decided to pull back in to the driving lane instead of making the turn. I am not sure how much room I had before I hit the brakes but it wasn't enough. This time I did feel the brakes pulsing a little but I still had full control of the bike (but not the words spewing out of my mouth). There was no place to go at all. I could only hope to stop in time. The tires didn't skid at all and I came to a full stop just inches from the car.

In both of these cases, I experienced situations that a bike without ABS would have skidded in and likely lost control. After over 25 years of riding, I have had my share of scarry close calls and these two were right at the top of my list. But thanks to ABS my bike and more importantly, my body came through without a scratch. Unfortunatly, the ABS don't help my undies in a situation like that.

My recomendation to you, if you are shopping for a bike and the model you think you like comes with ABS as an option, please seriously consider paying the extra charge. You may not like it at the moment, but the first time you have to get serious on the brakes , you will think that money was very well spent. I wouldn't avoid bikes without ABS, but if available I will always option it in from now on.