I respectfully disagree. It really agree that it is one of the best features to hit motorcycles from a safety standpoint. Like others, I would NEVER buy a bike (or car) without it, now. A few hundred dollars is simply not worth my life or limb. On a high-end bike like the Concours, it would be silly to expect them to even offer non-ABS anymore.
(Of course, it is silly that we don't now have cruise control on a high-end, technological, sports-touring bike, but that is another matter)
I have no interest in debating ABS, we have already been there. And I won't even argue that it is
ONE of the best
SAFETY features but THE BEST EVER? Think about overhead cams, tubeless tires, single shocks, four valve heads, digital fuel injection, radial tires, KIPASS!
ABS is overrated in my opinion. There are many many ways to get hurt bad or killed on a motorcycle, ABS addresses only one and in a very limited set of situations. My guess is that many of you have a dangerous false sense of security. Oops, I said I didn't want to debate ABS!