Recently we posted what makes a perfect motorcycle, and gave examples of our favorite bikes. But we didn’t talk about “Motorcycling”.
I have a select few photos that represent what I like about “motorcycling”, both as a special motorcycling experience and for me the karma of motorcycling. I have included one of these photos here, and would be very interested in seeing examples from you.
(Basic Motorcycle Travel 101)
Will motorcycles soon become robots, in a similar manner that cars are becoming? At the current annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Honda has unveiled a self-balancing motorcycle. Honda is following the path of all vehicle manufacturers in developing autonomous driving by employing artificial intelligence, deep learning, and infrastructure communications (Internet of Things) for all it’s vehicles.
Where will motorcycles fit in this future of self-driving vehicles? If cars are essentially becoming robots, will motorcycles become robots also? Will the motorcycle not permit the rider to ride at 50 mph in a large radius sweeper turn that’s posted at 35 mph? “I’m sorry Dave, I can’t let you run at 50 mph through that turn.”
On a motorcycle if you ignore the laws of physics, bad consequences will follow. You are responsible for the quality of your ride. If the motorcycle makes all the decisions for you, will your riding experience be the same?
Cherish the old technology, before it disappears forever.
October 17, 2016 by Rich:
Bad thing is that the pre-2017 FZ09’s don’t have traction control, slipper clutch, or ABS brakes. I think these rider aids would be nice on a 100 hp 410 lbs motorcycle. Know I’m getting old and slower.
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October 19, 2016 by George:
I hear you, but when it comes to m/c’s you should let the inner animal make more of the decision.
ABS can be a comfort on a rainy slab in heavy traffic with the crazies, but is it essential? Are you ever going to enter a corner fast enough that you would need a slipper clutch, more of a track day thing, and you can still blip a clutch. Have you ever had a traction control problem, I’d guess not, so do you need TC? I see m/c’s as a refuge from the ever escalating isolation of the driver from the driving experience. I believe most of us were attracted to m/c’s because of their simplicity, freedom, and liberation. This is a long way from the complexity of and dependency on a computer controlled machine. Something important is being lost.
Same applies to our everyday lives. It’s like the story of the hiker who hiked for years with nothing but a compass, but now if he is hiking and realizes he has forgotten his cell phone he turns around and goes back because he has no way to call for help.
Exit soap box….
George the Luddite
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October 20, 2016 by Rich
The inner animal has been loose this summer, but coming to the realization that it can use help with foiling the gravity trickster. So, I’ll have to respectfully disagree with you on the utility of ABS brakes, slipper clutches, and traction control.
Have mixed feelings on ABS. About 12 years ago, I drove an extra 100 miles to purchase a non-ABS BMW R1150R. The ABS systems at that time were intrusive and heavy – didn’t want one on my motorcycle. Since that time, most ABS have evolved to the point where they don’t intrude upon normal operations and have become lighter. In my opinion, the drawbacks are a sending wire, slight additional weight, and cost (seems to run an extra $200-500 when optional). You can also turn-off the ABS on many machines. Of the three aids, the ABS is the one I could most easily forego since I rarely ride in the rain and avoid traffic. But there’s always that cow in the middle of the road…
I’ve become a fan of slipper clutches after experiencing them on the KTM Duke 690 (also the Scrambler and new Triumphs). The slipper works well in non-racing circumstances when you make a sudden downshift due to unexpected conditions or bad technique. You can blip the throttle to compensate, but the slipper has the same effect. It makes riding a big single just a bit nicer, but the benefits would also be there for any motorcycle with lots of engine braking. I don’t perceive any drawbacks.
Traction control seems like a good idea on a motorcycle with a high hp to weight ratio. I think the FZ09 with its 105 hp to 410 lbs weight is a good candidate. To me, the benefit of TC would be preventing unintended burn-outs, wheel spinning, or wheelies. The FZ09’s abundant power and low weight combined with a touchy throttle would make TC a desirable safety feature. Don’t see the need for TC on something like an SV-650 or Triumph Twin (not noticing it, but limited experience). But on a motorcycle that wants to fly, TC sounds like a good idea. I believe most TC systems can be turned-off if the urge to go wild strikes. Again, don’t see any negatives on the TC.
I haven’t experienced any diminishing of the riding experience due to these technologies. There’s no forgetting that the Duke 690 and Scrambler are fun machines. The wind hits my face and all the sensations we enjoy are still there. I remember having similar concerns about points vs. electronic ignition, drum vs. disc brakes, and carburetors vs. fuel injection (I made an extra effort to get the last of the carbed Monsters). In my opinion, these advances proved beneficial. I think we’ll eventually look back and view these 3 technologies as worthwhile enhancements.
This would be another great chicken wing and beer conversation.
Rich the (quasi-) Technophile
Thinking of keeping the shake, rattle, and roll HD XL1200S, just in case I’m wrong.
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October 20, 2016 by Jim:
I can agree with both your viewpoints on MC technology. In the case of my 2008 Street Triple (which, if I remember correctly, had something like 90hp and weighed in the neighborhood of 400 lbs) I would be glad to have all of the technologies available to protect myself from letting my alter ego run amok. On the other hand, my lowly Vespa does not have ABS or Traction Control. These might seem to be overkill on a scooter, but in Europe, riders can encounter wet, old cobblestone streets and congested traffic on a city traffic grid that was laid out in the Middle Ages. I can see where ABS and TC would be appreciated in that market. The 2015 model Vespa 300 super has ABS/TC, mine was the last model year without.
No one has yet mentioned Artificial Intelligence and IOT (Internet of Things) where the total riding experience is managed, and the rider is literally just along for the ride. Kawasaki and BMW have each released their own breathless marketing vision of the future of motorcycle riding, where the MC manages traction, braking, lean angle, speed, everything, leaving the rider with nothing to do. BMW’s blurb even shows a rider with no helmet, because the MC will manage all parameters to avoid crashing in any situation. Their dreams may seem preposterous, but you can be sure they are working feverishly on it right now. Some day it will all be here.
This is a great discussion. If I may make a humble suggestion, why not post your comments on the Four Riders blog? I know I myself have been guilty of neglecting the blog. A blog format is perfect for a discussion like this. A person can make as many comments as one likes on any post. And every post and comment will be preserved on the blog, whereas it gets a little hairy tracking all these email strings (IMHO). :-[
Jim the Scooter Nerd
P.S. If the password login to the blog is irksome, I can remove it and the blog would be public. It would be unlikely that it would ever climb the Google’s search engine ranking, and no one can post to it or make any comments, except the four of us.
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October 20, 2016 by Rich
Yes – fun conversation. It’s ripe for wings and beers. I was thinking the Street Triple (675) was at the hp/wt boundary where TC becomes desirable – at least for me. I’ll take a look at what Kawasaki and BMW are developing. Not sure if I would want technology to go that far, and no helmet – shudder… Haven’t been to the Four-Riders site in a while. Will do so now. Like the idea of removing passwords – then it’s just a click away. Might be worth trying. Rich
