ST1100 ABS vs non-ABS >> Has anyone owned both the ABS & non-ABS ST1100? << Yep, I've owned both. A '97 standard and my current '99 ABS. >> I am interested in ABS ST evaluations; pros/cons, from those who have owned both versions of the ST. << The biggest pro can be answered by asking yourself this question: Is your life worth the extra bucks ($2500 in the case of a new one)? That's really what it boils down to. The ABS brakes are simply awesome. Even if you never set off the ABS, the braking is *much* firmer and you flat stop as the result of having an extra caliper piston. It is the biggest difference I noted between the standard I owned and the ABS. I highly suspect that part of that performance is also due to the LBS. I don't know why some folks are so opposed to linked brakes. I love 'em, even though I do indeed use both brakes just like I did when I had my standard. And I practice emergency stops on a semi-regular basis. If I were on a professional racing circuit I may not want them but for the kind of riding most of us do I think they're great. Anything that keeps me safer is a damn good idea in my book. And to counter the argument before it is raised, I have never had a problem *at all* with slow speed turns while using my LBS brakes. I just don't see what the problem is unless it's one of those things where a magazine writer says something bad about them then everybody takes the comment for gospel, failing to consider that it is just the guy's opinion. Now, you mentioned maintenance hassles with the ABS. Because I don't bleed my own brakes it's not a problem for me. That's the only hassle I can think of that there might be. I'm sure it's a bit more complicated than standard brakes. Other than the extra bucks, I can't really think of much in the way of downside. I can tell you that I have never regretted spending the extra bucks on the ABS. I was particularly grateful a few weeks ago when in the middle of a sweeper at a fairly good clip and leaned over pretty good, a dog decides to come right at me at an angle from the front (he was waiting for us because we had come that way once already). I straightened up as much as I could and started gradually applying the brakes. I have no idea whether or not the ABS activated or not. I felt the rear end get a little squirrelly but the rear tire never lost traction. I'm convinced that if I had had my '97 standard that I may have lost it in that corner. I managed to escape the pooch so it had a happy ending. ______________________________ Mick McHam Houston, Tx '99 ST1100 ABS Mick'S Toy STOC# 1134