Dear All - as I continue to plan for an eventual bike in this category, I have really narrowed it down to the ZX14 over the BMW K1300S due to issues such as smoothness, reliability, value for money etc. The only thing really holding me back is the lack of ABS as an option on the current ZX14 (and I never was sure why it has been left out of the USA market as the ZZR1400 in Europe has had it for a while). Anyway - I read in the recent Cycle World article that it may be an option in future years and was wondering whether you all think this will actually transpire. I have had several bikes with and without ABS but I would still ideally appreciate any electronic help for the time that I panic or whatever. I have a family that I love and want to return to, having enjoyed myself on the bike! I understand the pros and cons for ABS but for me, the pros outweigh the rest.

Anyway, thanks for your input and take care - Wolfhound

I see a narrowing down about a sensor on the same brake line(s) where a remote is obsolete. In other words, if there is fly by wire, there might be bluetooth my pucks. No second lines needed. The bike is going to fatten up with the remote and more line, wires, fluids, sensors, etc. = Fatso14Really fat now.

Will you accept ABS that carries less HP, adding that weight is taking out some pony, or? Or you step up the pony so the ABS is not even in the loop the bike torques away. I'm not in your position to have that safety surround sound. I'm thinking more that the front brake has me conditioned to flatten the bark one too many times in traffic.

We'd be flowing in the fast land, hit traffic, the lights come on, you take a handful, the front squeals like a pig for a spit second, I now release lever, no harm no foul. Because I'm conditioned using the fronts 100% of the time, that ABS sounds as logical a step as the rain mode to carry the front wheel so far, spin the tire so much. The brakes? You can stay on it without the front diving under you at those speeds.

The only way to tell is to commit @ 100mph+ so you have time to catch it back [if] the ABS was not as you thought? As soon as you hear the pig, it's about a 9mph dive in speed. That means, you see 100mph, you jam the front fandango for all the oink out of it, she WOT happens?

Basically, that is what I'm waiting for. More HP to compensate for the hardware. Because, if it comes with the same HP, I hop on a leftover. I like, but not in a need. Not if it harms the pull-away.

I even heard somebody say that the gov will make it mandatory. Then it'll make sense... Kawi isn't doing now cause they know they'll have to do it.
@Hub you're just a pony junky. Get the ABS and throw a shorai in. Then again if they come up with ABS those leftovers will be at a price to good to say no!

Thanks for the input, Hub. I get what you are saying and also always use the front brakes as you mention. I had a KTM Superduke 990 with absolutely incredible brakes - power and feedback aided by really good suspension - and although I never, ever felt the need for ABS on that bike, I guess I just see it as a nice-to-have for the time you may not release a locked front quite in time etc. I had a Triumph Sprint ST ABS and to be honest, the forks were easy to overwhelm with the front brakes and this really seemed to compromise the ABS action on the few times I tested it. Anyway, I am sure that the ZX's front forks are somewhat superior. Well, I'll keep doing my homework and saving my pennies and maybe there will be a factory option when my time
comes around!

Thanks and take care - Wolfhound

The Australian version also has ABS no choice here, it only adds another 3 Kgs to the bike.

Neil

ABS was omitted for several reasons I suspect. It would move the price to nearly $16,000, it adds nearly 7 - 10 lbs. to the already heavy bike, and it really hasn't been requested by the buying public.

Kawasaki made a business decision to leave ABS off of the 2012 model in the USA. Whether they incorporate it in the future will depend on how well the bike sells, whether they are able recoup some of their R&D expenditure with strong interest and whether ABS will become a mandate.

Personally, I can live without it. I wouldn't pay a extra $1,000 to have it but if it were a standard feature it would be merely a sales point. I think the brakes on the 14R are incredible as is. Hub has a great point in the fact that using strong judgement and good skills will go a long way to compensating for the added feature.

* Last updated by: Fowvay on 2/13/2012 @ 8:10 AM *

What is nice about ABS is not so much at hyper speeds but at very slow speeds such as in a parking lot or coming a little too fast for a 90 degree turn and then finding out that there is some dirt or gravel in the road. At these times ABS can mean the difference in dumping the bike at 10-15 mph or having the abs kick in and saving your butt. I have it on a Goldwing and it has never activated but with heavy bikes it is nice to know it is there.

Yes

No

Well, there you have it!

Maybe

We have a winner!

LOL ABS doesn't add enough weight to even matter with current technology.

Now, take the ABS on my ancient 1999 Chevy. Take it please! I bet that weighs a ton, because it is all mechanical.

Someone wants to run 200 this season and they have no clue about how light the OEM tires are. You swap to a long range compound, the carcass adds up to slow you down. If I were to have a slight advantage, I'd remove the rear brake assembly, tires and the ABS just for starters.

No matter the tech, weight is a huge factor, will always be the factor. "We lightened our model this year and it weighs less as we strive to..." is a common sentence in the brochures.

Irrelevant on the street. And its one thing to do overall lightening of a model and quite another to say you shouldn't have ABS because it will slow you down. Which is complete and utter bullshit.

Lightened wheels are BS... Why are those wheels selling then? More weight? Why did the factory lighten up the bike at the wheels? Because it's bullshithat's why. LOL

no!