Loved the old bikes, hated the brakes they had.
I wouldn't buy another new street bike without ABS.
I still like to play in the dirt, with the non ABS dual sport bike that I have. (Actually it was all the dirt bike riding that I did that made me a better street bike rider).
I think those situations are worthy of giving the guy at least an *** chewing. That same thing has happened to me a couple of times. I'll be damned if I'm going to let some jerk ruin my record.
Not three weeks after getting my 11 eguc i had a stupid deer decide that the grass was greener on the other side as I was going past. Needless enough to say, if I still had my old Suzuki I would have probably been replacing it with the harley anyway.
I have used my ABS several times. Nothing serious mind you but it is amazing how easy it is to lock up the rear tire. ABS prevents so many issue it is foolhardy not to have them if you have the choice.
To not "believe" in ABS is to not believe that Armstrong walked on the moon or evolution..... ABS works. Period.
He never said he didn't 'believe' in ABS, he said he was not a fan.
I don't believe in not wearing a helmet, but I am not a fan of them.... helmets work. Period.
Hell, even Armstrong wore one on the moon! (or the sound stage, or in the desert. Or wherever you believe he was. By the way, have you ever noticed the flag blowing behind Armstrong? Some people think it is because of a fan.)
FWIW, about 2-3 weeks ago a satellite circled the moon and sent back pics.....in the pics, you can see our landing spot and even the vehicle tracks, which are undisturbed.