bigpoppa
Well-known member
Whats with the hate on rider aids?
Have had several people(both friends and random strangers) bemoan TC, rider modes etc
"well you dont need TC for the street, afterall you are nowhere near the bikes limit, unless your at the track in which case it is a great tool!"
or
"I can control my right wrist/throttle"
Here are the opinions of two top level pros((Chris vermeulens(Motogp, WSBK) and Keith Code)) in a nutshell on TC and other aids
(Feel free to read the lengthy informative articles for yourselves)
Keith Code: "So far this year, over 400 of our students have run 49,000 track miles at 4 tracks in 13 days of riding. The training was conducted in all sorts of weather, including rain, on our 2010 BMW S1000RRs fitted with Dynamic Traction Control and Race ABS systems. Yes, we run the first session in Rain Mode which limits the power output to “only” 150 bhp. After the first ride students are allow to go for the full power.The bike provides an electronic cushion that forgives the rider some of the more common errors. This curtails panic; riders have that cushion and it provides time to gather themselves together before it escalates to out-of-control proportions. At the same time, NO, the bike cannot and will not forgive truly stupid riding.
Here are the results. Compared to the 600s we’ve used for the past 30 years; 12 million miles of track training; over 125,000 students; at 106 tracks around the world…our crash ratio has reduced by 400%. In real world numbers it looks like this: Last year we had 1.2 crashes per per school day average. This year so far, it’s down to a very convincing 0.3 per day."
**(http://www.ridergroups.com/402/keith-code-motorcycle-technology-can-save-your-life/)
Chris Vermeulens(On TC in the Rain): "Q: Do you use traction control?A: I had traction control throughout my GP career and it’s very handy in the rain. When I first went out on a wet track, I would wick it up and gradually turn it down as you get more feel for the grip levels. I would basically use the traction control to understand where the grip is. I wouldn’t do that on the road. Traction control, like ABS, is a great safety barrier. It lets you make a mistake without crashing. If it’s cutting in all the time you haven’t learnt where the grip is. But you never can fully know grip levels on the road, like you can on a racetrack. We go round lap after lap on the same circuit and there are track marshals there to warn us if there is an oil spill. We know what is in front of us. On the road, you have no idea what dangers lie ahead."
**(https://motorbikewriter.com/chris-vermeulens-wet-riding-tips/)
I'm all for riders learning proper throttle control and braking, and I'm sure they wont make up for stupidity , and most intelligent riders will know how to control their throttles, brakes, and stay sharp, but out on the road(especially in sketchy conditions like gravel, or rain) i'll take every advantage and safety margin i can get, to ensure me(and the bike) get home safe. Wouldn't it be prudent to welcome this and other technology as boon and a blessing rather than something to look down upon, that 'real riders' wont need?
Especially when modern TC can help without most people even noticing, and comes with the option to shut it off entirely for when your feeling bold
No one complains about seat belts, air bags(both of which you don't 'need' until that day comes when you DO need them, and are thankful they are there) then why the hate towards rider aids? Abs, TC, etc?
Edit:
Another aspect i forgot to mention, cost.
If your going to be spending your hard earned money, you'd like to get the most bang for your buck, why wouldn't you want the most gadgets for your bike, that you can adjust or turn off/on altogether at will?
Have had several people(both friends and random strangers) bemoan TC, rider modes etc
"well you dont need TC for the street, afterall you are nowhere near the bikes limit, unless your at the track in which case it is a great tool!"
or
"I can control my right wrist/throttle"
Here are the opinions of two top level pros((Chris vermeulens(Motogp, WSBK) and Keith Code)) in a nutshell on TC and other aids
(Feel free to read the lengthy informative articles for yourselves)
Keith Code: "So far this year, over 400 of our students have run 49,000 track miles at 4 tracks in 13 days of riding. The training was conducted in all sorts of weather, including rain, on our 2010 BMW S1000RRs fitted with Dynamic Traction Control and Race ABS systems. Yes, we run the first session in Rain Mode which limits the power output to “only” 150 bhp. After the first ride students are allow to go for the full power.The bike provides an electronic cushion that forgives the rider some of the more common errors. This curtails panic; riders have that cushion and it provides time to gather themselves together before it escalates to out-of-control proportions. At the same time, NO, the bike cannot and will not forgive truly stupid riding.
Here are the results. Compared to the 600s we’ve used for the past 30 years; 12 million miles of track training; over 125,000 students; at 106 tracks around the world…our crash ratio has reduced by 400%. In real world numbers it looks like this: Last year we had 1.2 crashes per per school day average. This year so far, it’s down to a very convincing 0.3 per day."
**(http://www.ridergroups.com/402/keith-code-motorcycle-technology-can-save-your-life/)
Chris Vermeulens(On TC in the Rain): "Q: Do you use traction control?A: I had traction control throughout my GP career and it’s very handy in the rain. When I first went out on a wet track, I would wick it up and gradually turn it down as you get more feel for the grip levels. I would basically use the traction control to understand where the grip is. I wouldn’t do that on the road. Traction control, like ABS, is a great safety barrier. It lets you make a mistake without crashing. If it’s cutting in all the time you haven’t learnt where the grip is. But you never can fully know grip levels on the road, like you can on a racetrack. We go round lap after lap on the same circuit and there are track marshals there to warn us if there is an oil spill. We know what is in front of us. On the road, you have no idea what dangers lie ahead."
**(https://motorbikewriter.com/chris-vermeulens-wet-riding-tips/)
I'm all for riders learning proper throttle control and braking, and I'm sure they wont make up for stupidity , and most intelligent riders will know how to control their throttles, brakes, and stay sharp, but out on the road(especially in sketchy conditions like gravel, or rain) i'll take every advantage and safety margin i can get, to ensure me(and the bike) get home safe. Wouldn't it be prudent to welcome this and other technology as boon and a blessing rather than something to look down upon, that 'real riders' wont need?
Especially when modern TC can help without most people even noticing, and comes with the option to shut it off entirely for when your feeling bold
No one complains about seat belts, air bags(both of which you don't 'need' until that day comes when you DO need them, and are thankful they are there) then why the hate towards rider aids? Abs, TC, etc?
Edit:
Another aspect i forgot to mention, cost.
If your going to be spending your hard earned money, you'd like to get the most bang for your buck, why wouldn't you want the most gadgets for your bike, that you can adjust or turn off/on altogether at will?
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