Re: ABS...
If I recall correctly, "shorter stopping distance" is not, and never was, the objective or promise of ABS. ABS maintains control. The magic of ABS isn't "stomp on the brakes without skids", it's "stomp on the brakes and turn the wheel to evade something without skids".
+1. One thing about ABS: The same system is used for the stability control systems, which I love (in cars and bikes).