Yes, I can tell you that if you snap the throttle open when leaning (the throttle should already be at a constant or increasing in a bend), DTC will cut the spark and power inline with the degree of slip you preselected. You refer to BSB riders not having it. Cool, racers did not have TC for decades and they still got on fine without it. Are you a BSB rider with race training and familiarity of pushing a superbike within 1% of the limit, or do you only ride on sunny days less than 30/60 riding days a year? You can turn DTC off completely. I think ABS is a genuinely useful safety option that should be standard on all bikes - you won't know you need it until the emergency manouevre or you're sliding down the road! Not sure if any manufacturer charges extra for these features as a standalone option nowadays?
TC. If it was an option I would get it, only so I could sell the bike later on with more goodies on it. Is it useful, I have no idea. Will it let me be cack handed with the throttle? Maybe, but I shouldn't really be riding a bike if I am that cack handed. ABS seems a useful addition for those emergency/panic situations. It ia a leveller in a way on the track, those who cant modulate the brakes as well as other will find it easier than non ABS riders. It's a rider aid, not a performance enhancer (unless you cack on the brakes too)
Don't get me wrong, if its fitted I guess why not use it. Just wondering if its a little overkill, will it lead to poor throttle control and how will they last as bikes get older. BTW my only experience of ABS on a bike was a 05 GS bimmer and no way did that shorten braking distance!! Was terrifying when it cut in. Wantz, yours has more than enough power to spin the wheel ;-)
This. Exactly. I know I'm a dinosaur but part of me is thinking, "I already rely upon basic passive suspension to work for me, tyre rubber, brake lever, gear lever, electronic ignition, hydraulic fluid, spark plugs ... all the components that make the thing go, stop and turn". With TC and ABS, there's a whole new batch of bits that all need to work consistently for me to be safe and to keep on working over time. Does that make me a control freak?
No. The point you make is a very good one. There is possibly too much technology being used to sell new bikes and cars with little thought about the longer term reliability and more importantly cost. Adding a few tenths to the fuel economy is not much use if the vehicle becomes an economic write off a year sooner as a result.
In short, I forget my bike even has TC fitted as I never knowingly use it and I am not going to ride around thinking "it's fine, the TC will sort this out". I ride as if it doesn't have TC, same as I always have done. I had it set to 5 and I'm not aware of it ever cutting in until my first track session on it last Friday, but when it did I was at small lean trying to accelerate and it cut in just enough to be a pain, so I pulled in later on and turned it down to 2 and it was fine. I reckon that'll do, leave it on 2 and it's there but I'm not expecting to use it and won't ride expecting it to save me or turn me into a hero. For me, it's a wee bonus but I'd be quite happy not having it. I opted for the Corse as it seemed to offer better value than the standard Evo model, but I'd happily have had one without TC fitted if it cost less. But the combo of the TC, the QS, Ohlins shock and bigger tank meant I took the Corse. I really don't think anybody "needs" TC on a bike, but that's not to say it might be useful now and again. Andy
If you ride like a rear wheel steering God in the wet - then turn on the traction control you will crash. I don't know some people are fules.
Both of my bikes have TC. Normal riding I have it turned off as I hate the way it chimes in on country roads etc , chopping the ignition as the bike gets light or slighty airborn off crests etc. Come wet weather its switched back on again to cover my arse. Trackdays sees it set at about 3 or 4 as a safety net. Overall its a handy piece of kit to have, but if it was a set charge extra I would opt for a "no thanks", in preference of a cheaper bike.
Just to resurect this old thread. Out on the 1098s today. It was all going very well, getting used to the riding position again after the SF. Gaining confidence and taking some fast sweeping bends with confidence, then.............coming out of a LH haipin bend, a small ammount of throttle and the rear end swipes out very quickly. I'd like to say my mongoose type reactions saved the day, but the truth of it is that I was very lucky. I shut the throttle, the bike fishtails 3 or 4 times and settles down. I'm certainly a little bit more of a fan of TC tonight. I'm just a bit happier to know the SF has it.
I wish I had the ability The only thing in danger of sliding out, was something unwanted in my underpants ! :biggrin:
traction control produces slightly slower lap times in my experience but the tyres last loads better assuming the technology works well and does not cause more problems than it solves, on the road, any technology that helps stop one of our limited quota of wheels losing traction can only be a good thing however good you are on a bike, on the road any loss of traction is a high stakes roll of the the dice
This exactly, my TC is set at 2 all the time as I think it is providing a safety net of sorts, and it is still a little too much at times. There is set of quite back roads near me split by a series of roundabouts with little crests off each one. Even set at two, spirited riding which makes the back go light can sometimes make the TC cut in and really unsettle the bike, to the point where it throws my weight forward and is really not helping, thinking of switching it off altogether. I rarely ride in the wet, only if I'm caught out and can see the benefits there, but in the dry I'm not so sure.
Never had it or used it. I did read that when considering an 1198 it was almost essential to get the S to have the TC as the bike was a handful without it owing to massive torque. I could imagine this being the case, but i know no more than I have read.
I don't see a comment from andyb so far.............I wonder what his views would be............ Personally, I have been driving and riding for a huge number of years............None of my vehicles have had traction control other than my right hand / right foot............and only one of my incidents have been caused by loss of traction and that was down to poor observation on my part when I first started driving cars. I also have mad moments, although they have got less (I think) as I have got older...........As fpr the track......why would I want traction control on a sidecar outfit..........the object is to make the bugger slide at the rear end. AL
TC and Andy's Crystal Ball together would eliminate all accidents, everywhere, forever. It will be possible to avoid incidents that wouldn't happen for months or even years into the future. TC would cut the ignition so you cannot start the bike if you were destined for a crash that day and with Andy's Crystal Ball, you will be able to predict when a squirrel is likely to cross the road or if a meteor is due to impact your favourite B-road - not that you have a favourite B-road, of course, as all fun on a bike is strictly limited to overseas trackdays. That about right, Andy?
