After the bellyaching in the ABS thread I got to thinking
Seems like a lot of folks feel that their definitions & acceptance of risk should be the baseline set for everybody. I.e. if one doesn't like ABS, manufacturers shouldn't make it and nobody should have it.
My thing is, cars & gas are getting expensive as shit, so motorcycles are beginning to make sense from a purely practical POV. Lower running costs and cost of entry. Plus the safer it is, the more bikes people buy, the more $$$ manufacturers get, the more cool bikes become available for them to pour $$$ and R&D into on the high end. And of course the more awareness there is about motorcycling, hopefully the more people look for us and the less people have to get smashed up in SMISDY incidents. I think shit like automatic transmissions and ABS would be welcomed features for a lot of folks. Not everyone wants a ZX10R but then again not everyone wants a Burgman. Bikes like the NC700 make a lot of sense.
Its kind of like how people bitch about Porsche making the Cayenne + Panamera, even though all those cars do is enable them to keep making the 911s and Caymans. What do you think?
The people who want to ride will ride. You're either drawn to riding and love it, drawn to it and have the shit scared out of yourself and quit, or you refuse to ever get on one. Regardless of how much technology you put into it, you're not going to find my mom on one.
Automatic transmissions on bikes will take away some of the fun of it. With ABS, riders will lose a skill. They'll rely on that like people rely on traction/stability control in cars.
-Will
__________________ KEEP CALM AND CHIVE ON "Trust me; I'm a pilot."
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sportyaccordy
After the bellyaching in the ABS thread I got to thinking
Seems like a lot of folks feel that their definitions & acceptance of risk should be the baseline set for everybody. I.e. if one doesn't like ABS, manufacturers shouldn't make it and nobody should have it.
My thing is, cars & gas are getting expensive as shit, so motorcycles are beginning to make sense from a purely practical POV. Lower running costs and cost of entry. Plus the safer it is, the more bikes people buy, the more $$$ manufacturers get, the more cool bikes become available for them to pour $$$ and R&D into on the high end. And of course the more awareness there is about motorcycling, hopefully the more people look for us and the less people have to get smashed up in SMISDY incidents. I think shit like automatic transmissions and ABS would be welcomed features for a lot of folks. Not everyone wants a ZX10R but then again not everyone wants a Burgman. Bikes like the NC700 make a lot of sense.
Its kind of like how people bitch about Porsche making the Cayenne + Panamera, even though all those cars do is enable them to keep making the 911s and Caymans. What do you think?
The point was that people should have a choice. I do not want ABS and should not be forced to have it come standard on any bike I buy. If it's an option and someone wants it that's fine.
It isn't that it shouldn't be an option, it's that soon enough it won't be an option, it will be mandatory.
Why should I have to sacrifice the perfomance of newer machines (engine, chassis, suspension, aerodynamics...etc) over something that limits their abilities? Granted, many of these systems have different levels of 'interference' (including 'off'), but why force all to pay for a system (in price, performance and weight) that many won't use?
Sent from outerspace with the motorcycle.com app for space shuttle.
People don't like change. They get set in their ways and when something moves away from their comfort zone they go up in arms about it. Happens every where you look!
I'll be the first person to complain about modern technology in vehicles and how the advances in technology means that nowadays we are much more reliant on garages with specialised equipment for the jobs we used to do our selves.
But...
We can't stay in the past for ever and as technology improves we need to learn to adapt. And its not all bad, we are not being bottle necked into a no option scenario. The new bikes do have options for things like traction control and power. To illustrate this point here are a couple of snippets from the features page for the 636 on Kawasaki Motors United Kingdom
Quote:
3-Mode KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)
The KTRC system on the new Ninja ZX-6R combines the best elements of Kawasaki's two traction control systems, S-KTRC and KTRC. Three modes cover a wide range of riding conditions, offering either enhanced sport riding performance or the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence.
Quote:
A choice of Full Power or Low Power modes allows riders to set power delivery to suit preference and conditions. While output al lower rpm is the same, Low power mode limits output to approximately 80 %of Full Power and uses a milder throttle response. Combining KTRC and Power mode options, riders have eight combinations from which to choose. Like KTRC, Power Mode can also be controlled from the left grip.
Quote:
Spring rates and damping settings chosen to maximise performance on winding roads enable riders to enjoy the Ninja ZX-6R’s sporty performance in a wide range of situations. Greater control as the fork begins to compress and very calm attitude change as the vehicle weight shifts forward when reducing speed, offer greater chassis stability on corner entry.
Alternatively for you conspiracy theorists... The American Government have been watching you ride your whole life, they know what you like, they know how you like it and have improved the safety and performance of motorcycles just to fuck you all over.
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______________________________ "Green is better, I need green!" ~ Max my 2 year old
Alternatively for you conspiracy theorists... The American Government have been watching you ride your whole life, they know what you like, they know how you like it and have improved the safety and performance of motorcycles just to fuck you all over.
Ah. That explains my anal probe.
-Will
__________________ KEEP CALM AND CHIVE ON "Trust me; I'm a pilot."
Why should I have to sacrifice the perfomance of newer machines (engine, chassis, suspension, aerodynamics...etc) over something that limits their abilities? Granted, many of these systems have different levels of 'interference' (including 'off'), but why force all to pay for a system (in price, performance and weight) that many won't use?
Sent from outerspace with the motorcycle.com app for space shuttle.
Should motorcycling become more universal/safe?
Linear Mode
