I don’t often pay attention to the big Motorcycle press here in the UK. Much of what they cover holds little intrest, sure, the products they cover have two wheels, but the constant barage of 200bhp superbikes and BMW GS’s, while intresting to many, are not going to be parked in my garage anytime soon.
Indeed, at the 2018 Motorcycle show at the NEC in Birmingham, I sat on a Ducati Panigale V4, and at 6’4″ and 16st (220lbs), I just looked silly.
However, when MCN covered the potential release of Indians new bagger I was intrested. (See the full article here
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2019/april/indian-raptor-2020/ )
Half way down the article came this line..
“It will likely move the electronics on again (the latest bikes already have power modes) with traction control a distinct possibility as well as cornering ABS and other touring comforts like hill hold braking“
I found myself mildly annoyed… ‘power modes… abs….hill hold….its not a Mercedes! .. I bet its got sat nav…you don’t need sat nav for a Sunday ride out!’
Motorcycles are about freedom…….. you, the bike, the road. They are about being different (dare I say a little bad ass) they are about going out for a ride knowing the danger and risk.
Motorcycles are supposed to be, even at their most complicated,simple. I dare say that the great motorcycle movies we have all seen over the years would have been vastly different had this technology been avaliable.
Steve Mcqueens jump in the great escape? Maybe he’d have been caught by the Nazis if he sat, ensuring his power was set to ‘sport’ instead of just jumping.
Peter Fonda simply throwing his watch away would have taken about two hours of film, watch – abs ripped out – Sat nav gone ……
Now the keen eyed among you will have noticed I ride a Yamaha Royal Star Venture, complete with Radio and Cruise control. Well, two things…
1. You should do as I say and not as I do ….
2. Cruise control on a motorcycle designed to go ‘coast to coast’ is just sensible and listening to AC/DC or Motorhead whilst riding is just frickin’ cool.
My anti-tech rant is not just a guy approching middle age shouting at the clouds (honest). Its actually born out of a genuine concern. Motorcycling and motorcylists is/are changing.
I fear many are turning to riding, not out of a love of motorcycles, but because they can. They have a few quid, go take their test and jump on a bike. The increase in technology allows them a false sense that their Motorcycle is somehow more safe because of the tech.
The days of the ‘biker’ are slowly dwindling away giving way to ‘people who ride a Motorbike’.
Maybe this is way fewer ‘bikers’ nod……
Big V Motorcycles 