Hi everyone!

Being a newbie (only had a morcycle driving course) and still on the search for a first bike, the choice stands now between the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere. Normal version vs ABS version.

Last January I went to my local dealer and had the opportunity to have a seat, feel the weight and height of the bike, unfortunately no chance to ride it. The version I ''tested'' was the non ABS version of the Tenere, and those 890mm of seat height it really impressed a bit while standing still, reaching only the floor with the tip of both my feet. I could only get one foot fully on the ground with the bike a bit tilted.

After a bit of conversation with the representative of the Yamaha dealer he told that although it was tall it rode like a ''dream'' bla bla bla.
When I told him that it would be my first bike and asked if the ABS was really necessary, he promptly replied that it was one more thing to rely on from a safety point of view (In the traffic, city ride, rainy weather, emergency stops). It convinced me at the time, but after a while and seeing that the ABS version loses some cm in suspension travel, well is that loss of travel negligible?

Now In a search for more opinions, I know that riding a bike always has its risks, but does it really matter on a 200Kg (plus or minus) bike the ABS? Thinking forward to eventually take the bike in some off road tracks (large roads nothing too technical) does the ABS version (loses some cm on suspension travel) still got what it needs for some adventures off the road and on the road?

Hope you can help.
Kind regards!!