Hey AJ - Bike for you?

[AJ]

...
As for ABS, it's a nice to have not a must have in my opinion. If you spend the time to periodically practice "panic stops" in a parking lot you will have the skills to avoid a lock-up.

Problem is, I tend to lock my rear wheel when practicing panic stops.  Or lay off the rear brakes completely & don't stop as quickly as I should. And I'm commuting through downtown, SOMA, Castro & the Mission so have lotsa daily slam on the brakes to avoid the crazies/hipsters/DWA situarions that leave me wanting bigger brakes & ABS too.  Perhaps an upgrade to 4 piston Brembos is all I need, but I'm just worried that I'll find out the hard way that I'm simply a bad effing braker in a panic situation.

[mostrobelle]

Whatchya doin' using your rear brakes to stop in a hurry anyways?  That's what the big, fat, meaty brakes are for in front.     Seriously, a little parking lot practice and several weeks of mental exercises on your real commute will help a ton.  You might indeed, have crappy brakes, but it sounds to me like your technique could use a little tuning.  You might do some real tuning on your brakes right now, too.  Do you know how long it's been since those suckers have been bled?  What do the pads look like.  Are they squeaky, spongy, go all the way back to the bar or irregular in delivery as you press them?  Do you know anything about what I'm talking about?  We should go for a little ride and make a parking lot stop at some point.   

[Spidey]

As for ABS, it's a nice to have not a must have in my opinion.

I wouldn't say ABS is a "must have."  It's a nice addition though.  If I were getting a new bike, I'd consider ABS, depending on how instrusive it is.

AJ, sounds like you could use some parking lot practice.  You'd be surprised how hard you can squeeze that brake lever once your forks have compressed a bit.  Stay off your rear in panic stops.  I've bled some air into mine specifically to prevent it from locking up (cuz I lack the skillz to use it properly).  

And you don't need big ole 4 piston Brembos to stop.  Aren't you in a Ninja?  I stood one of those on its nose (and then some  ) in an emergency braking situation.  In fact, if you have a Ninja 250 (pre-08), come over to my place (muuwhhhaaaahh   ).  I've got some steel braided brake lines and EBC HH brake pads I'll put on for you.  It'll make a big difference in the braking feel.  Edit:  Nevermind.  Looks like you have a nighthawk. 

[AJ]

Awww, you guys are awesome!!!! 
Yup, I need more practice, that's for sure. I didn't want to give up on the rear brakes completely, cause any little bit o stopping power helps in an emergency, but I guess I'll just focus on front brake for now.
Thanks for the offer Spidey,  I do indeed have a Nighthawk and that's a part of the problem, its got a pathetic excuse for brakes.  I thought I would've found a monster by now, so didn't mind, but at this point I'm getting impatient.   Whatever monster I end up with, I'd love to do a ride/brake practice with you 'belle!!

[Popeye the Sailor]

Hrm-guess I shoulda offered you this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190519355366&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT

[AJ]

Mr. I - did you post your 620 here? If so I missed it. Oh well.  What are you riding now?

Spidey - fyi you can switch ABS off easily, and the bike will default to ABS-on when you start it up again.

[TCK!]

Are you dead set on a 620/696?

[AJ]

At this point I'm strongly leaning towards a 696, with ABS as very appealing icing.  (Or 796 ABS, but I've only seen one of those on the secondary market so far, and the main attraction there is the ABS, blasphemy, I know).

I haven't ruled out the 620s because of their value.

I haven't looked much at 695s, cause the ones on Craigslist seem pricey & if I'm going to have to shell out over $5k, I might as well get a 696, as I like the ergos much better (I have short little arms & a history of shoulder/wrist issues)

And as I'm learning, I don't really need the extra engine of the 750, 800, 900 monsters, and I absolutely don't want a liter bike.

Am I making sense, or do I need to put down the proverbial pipe?

[TCK!]

Yeah I was just going to say that the newer 696's make more power then the older fuel injected 800's so they are somewhat comparable in terms of power.