I never thought it would happen to me, but I actually got bit with the bug to consider upgrading from my 2015 Fat Boy. (I can't even believe I'm saying that). I was at the dealer having something minor done to the Fat Boy, and they had a Vivid Black Road King (2018) there, and it absolutely grabbed me. I could feel that "heck you only live once" siren call. And then I noticed that the Road King did not have ABS! I walked around the dealer and every one of their non-Special model RKs did not have ABS. So there went that idea, for the moment at least. (Don't like the RK Specials; they just don't grab me. I like chrome.)

Why would HD not make ABS standard on a Touring model for Chrissakes? Further, we live in a relatively upscale area, so why would a dealer be dumb enough to order all non-ABS bikes from HD? It just seems weird. I will never ride a bike that does not have ABS and for me one of the selling points on the Road King is the linked ABS.

 

I purposely bought my bike with no abs. Had a plan for the brakes from to beginning and abs would only be in the way.

 

I chose my Dyna in part because it does not have ABS. The braking system nanny isn't for everyone.
Practice threshold braking and you don't need ABS.

 

OP I absolutely agree, ABS isn't exactly new age technology, and it's about safety. Should be a given just like I expect my car to have airbags. My bud doesn't have abs on his 2016 Street Glide and he missed that on the purchase and is miffed

 

But then the government gets involved in your safety, do you really want that?

 

I definitely believe in free choice and if you don't want ABS that is your choice which I respect. But pretty much every review agrees that no matter how good you are, or think you are, ABS will make you better and can help keep you and the bike up in an emergency braking situation. I almost bought the farm in an auto collision in which my car lacked ABS ('86 T-bird). I swore never again; ABS would have made a huge difference in that collision. Cages aren't bikes, I know, but I believe that the same principle applies.

Anyway it seems odd that the dealer doesn't give us a choice. **All** of their Road King (non-specials) lacked ABS. That is my gripe. Given that MSRP for ABS is only $750 (if memory serves) it just seems weird.

 

My 2016 has ABS. I hate it. It's dangerous. When riding over BOTTS dots in rain, I have virtually ZERO BRAKES.
Besides, I can out brake the ABS system.

Adding the "frozen lever/pedal syndrome" doesn't help sell the ABS system to me either.

 

ABS not being standard on the Road King {but for $795 it is an option, WTF?} was a disappointment when I was shopping for a new bike. I wanted to upgrade to the newer available technology from my 2010 Dyna SG and no ABS was a dealbreaker for me. With HD pricing creeping up steadily not making ABS standard on a bike like the RK seemed foolish.

 

Differing opinions settles it, make ABS rider choice..much like helmets.