Modern Motorcycles... and Technology

Mellow said:
Probably the first thing I did on my BMWs. Never liked how hill assist worked and I'd use is so infrequently that I'd forget how to deal with it... some love it...
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Yeah, but your part of Texas doesn't have lots of hills, whereas in Birmingham it's very hilly. Still... I managed to ride motorcycles all around here for 50 years, without Hill Assist... and I was damned good at it. I still am, when computers don't get in my way.

ST1100TX said:
I had a 1970s Bonneville ratbike. Simple as it can get. It didn't even need a key to start. Yeh, I wish it had been reliable, but I liked the raw simplicity of it.
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Like my '75 Norton Commando Interstate. Dead simple. But usually, simply dead.
It simply wouldn't stay running, but it was mostly WWII-era Lucas (the devil) archaic wiring technology, not modern computer-driven logic modules.
 
OK, after all this I was going to start a new thread, but it really seems to fit here at this time.
Again from ADVrider... article entitled

Built To Last / DR650s, BMWs And Other High-Mileage Bikes: Do We Under-Appreciate Our Motorcycles?​


One man's view on keeping older - or newer - motorcycles running past the first 6 digits on the odometer. And even though he prefers Moto Guzzi, he makes some good points. And as often is the case, the Comments section is an interesting read too.
 
Sadlsor said:
OK, after all this I was going to start a new thread, but it really seems to fit here at this time.
Again from ADVrider... article entitled

Built To Last / DR650s, BMWs And Other High-Mileage Bikes: Do We Under-Appreciate Our Motorcycles?​


One man's view on keeping older - or newer - motorcycles running past the first 6 digits on the odometer. And even though he prefers Moto Guzzi, he makes some good points. And as often is the case, the Comments section is an interesting read too.
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When I went to sell my 2011 Honda NT700V, I was amazed. I only had 30,000 miles on a "sport-touring" motorcycle. One guy in California was interested in it...but only if it had less than 5000 miles on it. And otherwise, there wasn't much interest. Why is 30,000 miles high mileage? What part of the word "touring" do people not understand. I wasn't selling a garage queen, but a bike meant for traveling long miles in comfort.

Motorcycles aren't ready for the scrap yard at 5000 miles. Some like the ST1300, the FJR and the Kawasaki C14 have engines larger than some of the cars I've owned. We don't come close to wearing them out, even at 200,000 miles. It's only the rest of the bike that we need concern ourselves with.

I fully expect my BMW F900XR to be my last bike. If it is anything like the F800GT was, it'll run and run and run. The only reason I'd trade it in would be if I got brainwashed by the Marketing folks that I "needed" more. "More" is oftenimes less.

Chris
 
I completely agree, Chris.
Both my ST1300 and my 1250 GSA could well be my "forever bikes", unless there comes a time when they are both simply too heavy for me to handle in the garage, in the parking lots, or (in the case of the GSA) on the trails.
As we've seen here on st-owners, there are likewise those of increasing years who recognize they need to downsize to a more manageable motor size and weight. My day may come, but I'll procrastinate in downsizing, as I procrastinate in so many other areas of my daily life.
 
Daboo said:
When I went to sell my 2011 Honda NT700V, I was amazed. I only had 30,000 miles on a "sport-touring" motorcycle. One guy in California was interested in it...but only if it had less than 5000 miles on it. And otherwise, there wasn't much interest. Why is 30,000 miles high mileage?
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Per google: What is the Average Annual Mileage for a Motorcycle? A motorcycle is driven far less frequently than a car, so its average annual mileage is significantly lower. While a car has an average annual mileage of around 12,000 miles, motorcycle mileage is, on average, only around 3,000 miles per year.

While many or most on here are way above average, there is no reason for the average new motorcycle not lasting longer than the average motorcyclist will ride it. At 3,000 miles a year the average motorcyclist would only put 100,000 miles on every 33 1/2 years.

and just where is the mileage line where a motorcycle is considered un-sellable? It pretty much used to be 20,000 miles years ago. I would think most would shy away from a motorcycle with 50,000 miles.... and 100,000? you might as well keep it or sell it for parts. Hardly anyone is going to buy a motorcycle with 100,000 miles on it.

with the new electronics...that line may back down to 20,000 miles due to the complexity and un-availability of getting electrical parts.

When Soichiro was alive he said anyone with a Honda, any year would be able to buy parts for it. Now dealerships don't want to work on bikes over 10 years old and many parts for even 10 year old motorcycles are no longer available from the mfgs.
 
Northerntour said:
I ask you, if I push the self park feature in my car and it runs into another vehicle or person as it's preforming it's task, who's responsible? You or the manufacturer of the vehicle?
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That has already been tested in court somewhere (I don't remember where) and the judge ruled that the person who was operating the vehicle was responsible. To me this seems to be really quite simple. Most jurisdictions have laws to the effect that anyone operating a vehicle is responsible to be in control of that vehicle at all times. If you choose to defer that responsibility to the vehicle rather than park it yourself, you take your chances. Having said that I know full well that once the lawyers get involved it will not end up being that clear.
 
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Mellow said:
The RT and GSA have that... You can even change how long they are on before self cancelling for a lane change - short press. A long press is a normal turn that won't cancel until the bike has turned and gone a certain distance or time - I can't remember that one.
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Just what I need - a bike that requires the owner's manual to understand how the turn signals work. Just not my cup of tea, I guess.
 
the Ferret said:
Per google: What is the Average Annual Mileage for a Motorcycle? A motorcycle is driven far less frequently than a car, so its average annual mileage is significantly lower. While a car has an average annual mileage of around 12,000 miles, motorcycle mileage is, on average, only around 3,000 miles per year.
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Well, at least I am finally 'above average' on something ... about 9 or 10 times so! ;)
 
Sadlsor said:
My '22 1250 GSA has a nifty but completely unnecessary "feature" called Hill Assist or similar, and automagically senses when you come to a stop on an incline, and will apply the brakes for you.

I suppose that may be so that you can put both feet on the ground, and pick your nose or apply your eye liner with your right hand, rather than hold the brake lever to avoid rolling backwards - or forward - down the hill.

But that also means you have to factor in extra finesse getting into the friction zone going uphill, in order to release the brakes without stalling.

Once I messed it up stopping on a hill at a traffic light, stalled the engine, and instantly got an ⚠️ alert on the TFT to the effect of some engine calibration error, and to proceed to my nearest authorized BMW facility. Not just any old UNauthorized BMW facility mind you, oh no. Only the nearest "authorized" BMW facility.

And it would not start. And it would not start, and it would not start. I had to wave the cars behind me around, before the light changed to red again.

Once it turned back to red, i tried to clear the alert with the wonder wheel, but it took several attempts to make it disappear, and then it finally permitted me to start the motor again. I was rather frustrated, not knowing which safety feature i had so annoyed in my ignorance, made worse with the knowledge I was holding up traffic.

Later that evening, I did a full scan of the bike's system with my GS-911. Nothing was recorded.

The preceding events were related here, to illustrate the possible consequences of heavy-handed, unnecessary electronic wizardry on a .modern motorcycle, with the possibility of disabling your ride.

In simpler times, a man could just hold the bike on a hill with either brake, and then roll on the throttle while releasing the brake and clutch.
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I disabled the Hill Assist “feature” on my 1250GS almost immediately after buying the bike and finding it annoying.
 
The Hill Assist feature on the Goldwing is easy to use if needed and “not there” if not.
 
They put HA on a manual shift cars too nowadays. Rented a Seat in Germany and felt weird car doesn't roll back. But only if in gear.
 
Several years back when the V4 Panigale first came out the guys at the Ducati shop asked if I wanted to ride one. I have to add we all knew each other so I wasn't completely surprised by the generous offer. After a few minutes Ian parked a bike in front of the shop and said have at it. After an enjoyable and exciting 20 minute ride I pulled back into the shop. Ian asked "How'd you like it" to which I replied it was really great but you'd better have your wits about you if you give it more than a little throttle. They all burst out laughing and Ian said, "I turned off all the electronics, figured I'd make it interesting for you". My point is you can ride one of these monsters without electronics, just pay attention and ride smart. The electronics are there to save your bacon when you need them. That doesn't mean you need to become dependent on them. Of course there will always be some people with more checkbook than skill and the electronics will make them think they are better than they are but that happens in many sports and hobbies.
 
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