Electronic aids?
Discussion
I started biking in the 90s so I am used to bikes with no electronic aids. However more recent bikes have had lean sensitive ABS and traction control.
I haven’t been able to own a bike for a couple of years but we are moving back to the U.K. this year so can start thinking of buying a bike again.
I quite fancy an original R1 or K5/K6 GSXR1000. However my inner pussy is thinking that perhaps I should get something new with the full suite of rider safety aids.
If you currently ride new bikes, would you go back to one without the electronic aids?
(I must be getting really old as also contemplating for the first time a GS!)
I haven’t been able to own a bike for a couple of years but we are moving back to the U.K. this year so can start thinking of buying a bike again.
I quite fancy an original R1 or K5/K6 GSXR1000. However my inner pussy is thinking that perhaps I should get something new with the full suite of rider safety aids.
If you currently ride new bikes, would you go back to one without the electronic aids?
(I must be getting really old as also contemplating for the first time a GS!)
On a fast bike that you plan to ride fast it makes sense to have every safety net you can have.
I’ve got a super duke now. Had a v twin tuono and gsxr 750 before which obviously had no electronics.
I’d happily have a lower power bike again with no electronics but a full cornering abs system is nice to have. Obviously that comes with everything else electronics wise.
I’ve found insurance to be cheaper on bikes with electronics vs without so they are probably statistically safer but I don’t think you’ll die on a k5 gsxr 1000 just because it doesn’t have abs etc.
I’ve got a super duke now. Had a v twin tuono and gsxr 750 before which obviously had no electronics.
I’d happily have a lower power bike again with no electronics but a full cornering abs system is nice to have. Obviously that comes with everything else electronics wise.
I’ve found insurance to be cheaper on bikes with electronics vs without so they are probably statistically safer but I don’t think you’ll die on a k5 gsxr 1000 just because it doesn’t have abs etc.
Having ABS is very important to me, traction control less so. It's only ever triggered a handful of times, but each time was an emergency situation.
If I was just track or fast riding I wouldn't worry too much, you're so focused then you most likely won't need aides. For commuting or touring where you attention isn't 100% it's a big plus.
If I was just track or fast riding I wouldn't worry too much, you're so focused then you most likely won't need aides. For commuting or touring where you attention isn't 100% it's a big plus.
Used the electronic aid once in two years or rather the bike has used it once, when a change of road surface grip on a winters afternoon caught me out. Definitely saved an off. Rest of the time I don't know its got any aids. I found it just gave me enough time to correct the mistake.
Having had 2 'offs' since 1996 when I started (one resulted in a broken collarbone and fractured ribs, the other just scuffs, grazes and embarrassment), they were both caused by my locking the front wheel.
My current CB650F has ABS but no other aids, which I'm happy with. It seems to be the first and by far, commonest aid on bikes, and welcome it is.
I'm dry weather only these days, but if I was riding in much rain, I'd probably consider traction control too, but the need to provide different settings and modes seems unnecessary IMHO.
My current CB650F has ABS but no other aids, which I'm happy with. It seems to be the first and by far, commonest aid on bikes, and welcome it is.
I'm dry weather only these days, but if I was riding in much rain, I'd probably consider traction control too, but the need to provide different settings and modes seems unnecessary IMHO.I wouldn't have another bike without at least ABS - saved my bacon on several occasions!
My current bike has traction control, which has definitely saved me from a high side due to ham fistedness & not spotting gravel on a corner....
My previous KTM had 6 axis IMU, cornering ABS etc. I never had a situation where I needed to brake hard enough round a corner to try it out, & I wasn't brave enough to experiment.
My current bike has traction control, which has definitely saved me from a high side due to ham fistedness & not spotting gravel on a corner....
My previous KTM had 6 axis IMU, cornering ABS etc. I never had a situation where I needed to brake hard enough round a corner to try it out, & I wasn't brave enough to experiment.
black-k1 said:
Initially I thought this was an Ann Summers tread but hey ho ... 
I have been saved a few times by riding aids when something totally unexpected happened and thus want them on any new bikes I buy but, if I was buying an old bike that didn't have them than I'd not let that stop me.
I suppose the contradiction in my mind is that I wouldn’t buy a new bike without them…yet I’m not applying that logic to old bikes…I have been saved a few times by riding aids when something totally unexpected happened and thus want them on any new bikes I buy but, if I was buying an old bike that didn't have them than I'd not let that stop me.
I suppose the problem is that there are quite a few old bikes I would prefer to own than newer bikes.
I can't see any downside to electronics on a bike that's used on road. It's not like cars where they stop the fun, although maybe the older generation electronics are bad, I've had no experience of them. It's why I have no interest in classic bikes. Journalists like to say bikes under certain horsepower don't need traction control etc but I was out one day this winter on my svartpilen 701 (75bhp) and the roads were so greasy I had 3 moments in one ride that had the traction control flashing and it probably saved dropping the bike.
I wouldn’t base the need (or not) for aids based on stories of when they intervene. in my experience, they are getting involved quite a bit, but that doesn’t mean you were off if they weren’t there, because the rider also takes action. That said, I have had offs in the past that they would have prevented.
I generally don’t see any downside to aids with the exception that when all packaged together, they can have you riding quicker than you might otherwise.
I wouldn’t not have an older bike because it didn’t have the safety aspect of the aids, but I’d have to really want that specific bike to not go for a younger equivalent with the aids (I’m having the same battle that you are now, I don’t think I want the older bike enough).
I generally don’t see any downside to aids with the exception that when all packaged together, they can have you riding quicker than you might otherwise.
I wouldn’t not have an older bike because it didn’t have the safety aspect of the aids, but I’d have to really want that specific bike to not go for a younger equivalent with the aids (I’m having the same battle that you are now, I don’t think I want the older bike enough).
trickywoo said:
I’ve found insurance to be cheaper on bikes with electronics vs without so they are probably statistically safer but I don’t think you’ll die on a k5 gsxr 1000 just because it doesn’t have abs etc.
Interesting. Might explain why my insurance company wouldn't cover me on my 65hp Speed Twin 900 but were happy to cover me on my far more expensive 111hp Ducati Monster 937 which was loaded with electronics, although all could be adjusted and even turned off.Skeptisk said:
black-k1 said:
Initially I thought this was an Ann Summers tread but hey ho ...
I have been saved a few times by riding aids when something totally unexpected happened and thus want them on any new bikes I buy but, if I was buying an old bike that didn't have them than I'd not let that stop me.
I suppose the contradiction in my mind is that I wouldn’t buy a new bike without them…yet I’m not applying that logic to old bikes…I have been saved a few times by riding aids when something totally unexpected happened and thus want them on any new bikes I buy but, if I was buying an old bike that didn't have them than I'd not let that stop me.
I suppose the problem is that there are quite a few old bikes I would prefer to own than newer bikes.
If they were never an option on an old bike then not having them would not stop me from buying that old bike. If there were an option when new, then I would be looking for the second hand bikes that had those options fitted but lack of ABS/traction control would not stop me buying something I really wanted.
I started road riding in 1998 so late 90s too
Rode until 2006 then gave up until 2015. When I got back a lot changed with tech, electronics etc
I ride a Tuono V4 now with all that stuff on it and as a 40+ road rider I woudnt want to not have it. I also have an old '99 RS250 with nothing and a '18 GSXR1000 with ABS deleted but this was purely because of how intrusive it was on track/fast road
If I was to give feedback/advice I would say yes have it. The times its wet, slippy, winter or you just f*ck up having that there is a nice safety blanket
That being said when you start going down this route there is also quite a difference in the quality of these systems depending on bike age and brand
Example my GSXR has an IMU but pretty crap TC and ABS was fine for normal pace riding but not great. My Tuono (3rd gen) is very very good
Rode until 2006 then gave up until 2015. When I got back a lot changed with tech, electronics etc
I ride a Tuono V4 now with all that stuff on it and as a 40+ road rider I woudnt want to not have it. I also have an old '99 RS250 with nothing and a '18 GSXR1000 with ABS deleted but this was purely because of how intrusive it was on track/fast road
If I was to give feedback/advice I would say yes have it. The times its wet, slippy, winter or you just f*ck up having that there is a nice safety blanket
That being said when you start going down this route there is also quite a difference in the quality of these systems depending on bike age and brand
Example my GSXR has an IMU but pretty crap TC and ABS was fine for normal pace riding but not great. My Tuono (3rd gen) is very very good
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