The federal dept of transportation did mandate right side foot brake, left side foot shift for 1975 model year motorcycles sold in the USA. That's why early 74 built Ironheads are right shift, left brake like old Brit bikes, and mid 74 up are like the Japanese bikes.

ABS can self-disable with age. The reluctor rings get dirt packed or corroded and then you have normal brakes. I have yet to drive an ABS equipped semi that didn't have the dash light come on every time the truck was driven in the rain... The rear drum only ABS on my 1994 Ranger (202+ thousand miles on it) still works, and in fact the truck still has its o.e.m. issue shoes in it, with friction material left (drums still have the factory retainer washers).

Having ridden bikes with linked brakes (Honda) and with ABS (BMW), I don't much care for them on a bike. But since my first 5 bikes had rigid frames and foot clutch/hand shift... Tank mounted shifter is as safe as the shifter in your car. Shifting directly off the HD tranny, which is behind your leg, takes some getting used to but with practice becomes just as safe.

I'm kinda with cavi on this one. Regardless of the merits or lack of same regarding ABS on motorcycles, I get irritated when the government tells me what I have to do for my own good cause I'm too stupid or irresponsible to be in charge of my own fate.

Getting back to the original topic of this thread though - the MSRP of the 500F is (non ABS) is a couple of hundred dollars less that a brand new S40. If I was shopping for a NEW bike right now the Suzuki wouldn't even be in the running.

Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither

— Benjamin Franklin

Badass94Cad wrote on 12/13/12 at 09:04:57:


except when natural selection runs my a$$ over to get to the pearly gates.

I grew up in the space age, but at age 59 I still gripe and pull against all things new. There are SEVERAL bikes out there with ABS already, and since we have had years of research in cars, the systems are reliable. I drove an 04 Taurus that had the ABS go out. I called the Ford store and found out the module was $800. I told them I grew up without it and could do without it. One reason I ride the Savage is simplicity. I talked to a friend at church just last night who was bragging on the fuel injection on his last three bikes. ABS is just a natural progression to help riders. Remember, ABS can be handy in racing situations as well as the new power limiting choices available to prevent wheelies or wheel spin at an inopportune moment. But the fact remains, I don't trust my government to help me. Remember the joke?: What are the two biggest lies? "The check is in the mail." and "We're from the government and we're here to help you."  

oldNslow wrote on 12/13/12 at 06:16:41:


WOW!! Really?? The new CB500F less expensive than a new S40?? Gotta look into that as I was planning on selling my ZZ-R250 this coming Spring ...

jc, 2 of my vehicles have external contracting drum parking brakes on the transmission outputs. Been there. And one of my trucks has twin cylinder front drums (1949 Dodge 1/2 ton), no fun to work on.

Perry, you don't need another plastic fantastic... You've been kicking yourself for how long since selling your magazine bike? Just saying...