I love traction control!!!

My local BMW dealer had a demo day today. I stopped by and test rode the S1000XR. Up in one of the canyons, I was leaned over and throttling out of a left hand turn, and, as the BMW has about 60 horsepower more and a throttle that needs less twist than my VFR, coupled with my lean angle, the power of the bike overwhelmed the traction of the Bridgestone T30 and the rear tire started sliding out under power. The weird thing about it is that it never startled me. It happened very quickly. The tire slid out about six to eight inches and the traction control retained traction and wiggled the rear and I just rode on.

As I've only experienced this on the track with my 2005 VFR, albeit without TC, knowing that the bike's computer has my back, just made it fun as hell. I've played around with TC in a car, but in a bike it's a blast too.

I definitely want a new bike now, that's for damned sure. Not to mention, the quick shift up and down is a blast, the bike is nimble and quick. It's so smooth, the speed is deceptive. The brakes, good lord, they're incredible. Really reinforces the fact that really need bleed mine.

However, all that said, I still like my 99. Don't think I'll be getting rid of it.

 

My ol Viffer felt weird after being on such an upright bike. As the handlebars are so wide on the BMW, mine felt very narrow. But, my ol' girl very willingly let me rail her around some turns right after. Still a great bike, even with 72k+ miles on her.

 

I have hit a few tar snakes where it has kicked in, glad to have it, but could live without it, but not ABS, that is a must have.

 

Crazy Lint what where you thinking taking a demo out, LOL just to try out the TC.. Cool.. Funny you did this, My son took me to the BMW dealership yesterday only to look at a 1000rr, the thinking here was trading in the CBR for what you mention TC and all the other electrical gadgets of late, IDK pretty nice, still would rather have a Tuono, but this computer aiding stuff is way over the top. my thinking is, yea nice, but really?..

 

I love it! I think on a track it would be a Godsend. Just think coming out of a turn and cracking it wide open without high siding. Or flipping the bike over backwards. On the street, the cornering ABS could save your ass if someone or something is in the middle of a turn.

 

Yeah, really.

 

Well, after having it save my ass after inadvertantly giving the rear wheel 160 horsepower while still leaned over, I'm sold on it. Yes, I can still push my 99 VFR to it's limits, as my 5mm chicken strips up front and wear on the very edge of my rear tire will attest, but without it, I would have highsided off of a $16,000 motorcycle and Superman'd right into trees. Call them nanny aids if you want, but when the unexpected happens, it sure is nice to have them.

 

Here's my take. People always talking about gear, got have it, gotta use it, gotta have the best, gotta show it all off on the forum, etc. etc....why? because it makes them "safe" in their minds and they want to appear "safe" to other riders...but then you bring up traction control, IMU's, and the latest Bosch ABS systems and they are branded nanny aids....when actually, they are safety equipment. The very latest safety equipment. Why wear all the gear, if you don't think you need IMU's, traction control, programmable ecu modes, or ABS, you certainly don't need all that gear.

 

As much as these devices add to the safety of the rider who can fork over the pesos for one of these machines with all the features, a wakeup might be to price the replacement cost including labor of one of the control modules. I have doubts that even certified wrenches are going to be able to effect repairs on same and replacement costs might be next months income.

 

Slowing down and not riding over your head helps too.

 

I totally agree with you and I actually am very aware of my limits, as well as traffic, gravel etc. The fact remains, I did exceed those limits, were it due to oil on the road, gravel, sand or just the sublime additional power that is masked by how smooth the engine is on the Bimmer. I felt I was within those limits, due to my speed in the turn, etc, however, for some reason the rear stepped out and the bike saved me from highsiding. All the gear I had on, a two piece track suit, gloves boots full face MotoGP spec helmet wouldn't have saved me if I was ejected into a tree.

That is why my next bike will have TC, cornering ABS, wheelie control etc as it is there for the sudden "Oh Shit!!' moments. $20K is a lot less than the money I would lose if I were injured, even tho my medical is covered by the VA, not mentioning the pain and time for recovery.

 

When I went in to the BMW deslership for a demo ride, they denied me. I had my old 91 VFR as calatoral and had a decent shave too. WTF? If you buy a new bike all that fancy chit is part of the package, just dont talk to me in 10 years rs

 

True that 180 hp on a bike might be as described as sublime I would think it more over the top. In one scenario all the added safety features hopefully aren't prone to what we see on some of the electrical shit that comes on 25+ years on VFRs.

My call is that in that particular corner where the rear end kicked out on that deceptively fast bike that was not in your muscle memory or reaction array, the same thing might have occurred on any bike you were on at that particular moment and place. Even going from one BMW to another there are those subtle differences that should be taken into account.

The exists a great myth here that we are all great riders and that my friend, is a crock.

Unless dealing with some potentially catastrophic events like one of the failed oil filters dumping oil on the back wheel of any bike, experience especially dirt riding experience will IMO, win out most of the time. Basic drill? Ass end kicks out, steer accordingly and gas it.

ABS brakes for sure..The other stuff probably not unless a whole hell of a lot of real data is provided outside the sales pitch.

Good luck with the VA.

 

So BB, are you for or against traction control etc? I know you support responseable riding, as do I, but what about the rest of it?

 

For me, as long as these rider aids are reliable and that the person riding the bike doesn't use them as an excuse to not learn how to ride, they I have no issues with them.

 

Categorically or in general? I thought this might cover some of the subject at hand.

"ABS brakes for sure..The other stuff probably not unless a whole hell of a lot of real data is provided outside the sales pitch."

Long time BMW fan and rider and owner of a hotrod BMW that frankly I went too far on until it became not so reliable. Fast yes, pretty yes but at roughly 90 hp up from about 60 do I need 180 hp at the crank? Nope..

My concern is not so much with the ability for a computer analyzing and making rapid changes in the handling of the bike when it/they are working at 100% efficiency but more what happens or can happen when one or more of the chain of components craps out in the middle of some maneuver that was thought to be handled by the system and it ain't there no more. Kind of like trust your heart in Jesus cause you're ass is mine. Lack of trust? Yep. Experience including high siding? Yep. (not in the least fun unless a thing for broken bones and hospitals is thought to be fun or some sillyass badge of honor) Lots of time in the saddle? Yep. Race experience? Yep. Donald Trump for President? Hell no..!!!

Sorry aboot that last, I was taken by the moment and lost traction..

 

It's not autopilot. The longer you stay unhurt and alive, the better rider you will become.

 

Never said the bikes would ride themselves. Just saying learning good throttle and braking is a key fundamental in riding a motorcycle. To think that the bike will automatically do this is for you is what I'm talking about.

 

The high side thing is exactly what happened to Dani Pedroza after he and Marquez touched while entering a corner. When making contact with Dani's bike, the rear wheel sensor cable was severed, Dani goes to get on the gas and bam! No traction control and off he goes!

 

Do you really think that example is applicable?