I personally have never ridden a bike with ABS. Relied on the front for braking and the rear for slow control. However ABS is a " life saver" but I understand the braking distance is longer?
Technically yes, as the brake is released as it approaches the point of maximum retardation before being reapplied; it is actually a car safety device initially designed to retain steering control as you can't steer if your front wheels are locked & sliding. Practically no, because despite lengthening the braking distance over a brake held at the point of maximum retardation prior to lock up, the number of mortals capable of achieving that as opposed to burying the pedal in the floor & letting the system do the work is extremely small; much smaller than the number who think they can.
When I was riding a BMW 1250 RT (OK, I know, I'm sorry ) I had reason to be thankful for its cornering ABS: on a country lane, I was entering a tight left-hand downhill bend when a hot hatch thing came screaming up in the middle of the road like he was on a rally stage. I admit I panic-braked. The ABS kicked in and the bike stayed on line and tracked beautifully. I might not be writing this now if the ABS hadn't done its job.
I can turn it off on my older, little shitter KTM. I don't think the latest models have the option. I suspect the Road Safety Lobby are the reason.
My talent runs out long before I need to worry about ABS slowing my lap times, even on setting 1, I still don't find myself trying to back it into the corner
I'm not entirely convinced that my Multistrada 950 left the factory with a rear brake fitted, so I'm not sure a thumb brake is worth investing in.
My 1260 Diavel has a rear brake but you need to have a dislocated foot or be wearing 1970's platform shoes to use it, so I rarely do. That being the case it's propably just as well it does have ABS, though I have it turned down to minimum in the rider settings.
