On a Multi or 848 really? Personally find it questionable unless you either ride like a rear-steering god in the wet or have a genuine 150+hp at your right hand. I notice as well that most seem to keep it turned on even in the dry. Safety net, if so is it really?
For 99.99% of the time,no. But then it depends how you ride. I think of it as a safety net and am happy to have it when it comes as standard. Besides, you can always turn it off.
Thats what got me thinking. Everyone I know runs it on regardless of conditions. Can understand in horrible wet or really cold, but dry and warm? Even on an 1198 do you really need it in the summer...
I find it works quite nicely on a 1098R. Summer time, dry and warm, SuperCorsas, and the 1098R still paints nice black lines with the DTC set at L2 or L3, coming out of normal bends on the road. You don't need to rev the engine hard to produce the big HP - the TC helps manage the excess torque. It's a nice safety net that can be adjusted to a level that suits your style - but the advantages of TC far outweigh any perceived disadvantages.
It's an aid to riding for those who can't do ride properly...............................or who want to feel special..............or who need good bragging rights too.........................
There's no point in having it if it's not on, as I see it, it's not there for the times when your hooning it and the rear breaks traction, it's for the shiny manholes, diesel spills and grain the farmers round here some to dump about the place. Having said that it does need to be adjustable, despite being rwd and 340bhp I always turn my car's off, you try to pull out of a junction quickly and it just stops you in the middle of the road.
Well i've never had TC on any bike, but i know i'd love it. Even on the hottest of summer days with the stickiest of tyres, just knowing i can pin the throttle to the stop no matter what the lean angle and just let electronics give me as much drive as possible would make me faster no question about it. And lets face it, riding like that didn't do Stoners reputation any harm did it.
There are no heroes when you low side or high side your P&J because of broken traction. Just a big bill and possible hospital visit!
The system on my car is amazing and has saved me a couple of times in 20,000 miles. Neither was my fault and i am glad i have it. When i pick my Multi up at the weekend, i will be glad its on that too.
Does it stop it enough for you to snap the throttle at full lean? Let me know after you try how that goes lol Bearing in mind they don't have it in BSB now, yet they are still banging in record laps, I'm still not convinced its an essential all the time thing. Can see the occasional time it wold be useful, but from what the Ducati guys were saying and demo'ing on ABS I'd say that was a better bet
IMO any traction control and ABS have a place on road bikes, but manufactuers should give customers the option. Both my bikes have neither, but after trying ABS at Donington, I want it on my next bike. Traction control im not too fussed about. It would be nice thou if the manufactuers didnt charge more for safety features
+1 on that i dont have ABS or TC on my bike, i dont think im an advanced enough rider to have the need for the rear wheel to spin up coming out of corners, i guess my bikes not that powerful enough to do it if i had the option, id probably go for a slipper clutch instead
Not so much for free, but manufactuers should'nt really add £500 onto the list price if they proclaim its a safety measure. Car manufacters dont say the car is 'x' amount plus £200 for abs, plus £300 for whatever. Yes, I know that they dont offer vehicles without these features, but I think it would be good as a PR exercise really. Manufactuers showing the care about the people who buy their product
Definitely a safety net on a road bike. Why wouldn't you use it if it was available. TC on a modern bike is just a software addition, I leave it on permanently.
I think you have the wrong idea if its purpose. Its a safety feature not a go-quicker add-on. As to ABS, its been proven that anyone but the very top racers, it decreases the stopping distance despite the riders being tested reckoning they stopped quicker without it. the tape measure proved otherwise.
I've got it on my 848 Corse and its currently set at a mid setting (4 of 8). I tried out level 8 at Odiham and it was horrible, cutting in out of corners and throwing the weight about as the bike slowed which was a bit off-putting. Ive not yet had it cut in at level 4 but its nice to knows its there and I can always knock it back as I get more comfortable with the bike. A number of people have suggested it should just be switched off but I take a small amount of comfort from it being there, knowing that as I explore a new bike with sports tyres, it might stop me chucking it down the road it I get a bit too brave. I guess it's usefulness depends on the rider and their ability/confidence/cash flow.
