Traction Control Poll

[Rincewind]

With Traction Control Systems becoming increasingly available on motorcycles, what's your opinion of this option?  

[Papa Lazarou]

Nobody would take any notice of my opinion, even if it made sense...

[bomber]

havn't got it, don't particularly want it, and would really want a switch to turn it off, if my bike DID have it.

But I want to return to round headlights and leading link brakes, too . . . .

[scottzilla]

Nobody would take any notice of my opinion, even if it made sense...

True statement.

[scottzilla]

I think traction control will morph in to selectable tuning maps (Real maps, not this "Rain" mode bullshit).
Some have accused BMW's electronics as being obtrusive but linking all systems together seems to be the way of the future.

[gradus]

I don't 'not' want it.  I just wouldn't pay more for it right now.  

[kevin_stevens]

I think traction control will morph in to selectable tuning maps (Real maps, not this "Rain" mode bullshit).
Some have accused BMW's electronics as being obtrusive but linking all systems together seems to be the way of the future.

What about "Rain mode" is bullshit?  it is a completely different map on my bike.  

KeS

[sprocket]

I remember when ABS braking first started coming out (back in early 90's or late 80's I think) Nobody wanted a machine capable of thinking for itself....today we no longer have to "lay it down" to get the bike stopped! ABS brakes, good tires and a good rider can stop a bike much quicker than the friction of asphalt!

TCS is still pretty new, but I don't think you will see any appreciative decrease in motorcycle accidents, accidents caused by loosing traction are few and far between .

[Papa Lazarou]

True statement.

Thank you for listening. You are so kind.  

[garry]

I've lived a long time without it, but wouldn't mind if my bike had a "rain mode". Of course that won't stop the front from sliding...

My bike doesn't make enough power to need TCS any other time.

[BamaBiker]

Bikes are getting too complex. It is more fun without all the new fangled stuff. That just drives up prices and makes repairs too harder/ more expensive.

[R Doug]

I would like to have TC on my bike. It couldn't hurt. But, I would like the option of being able to fully disable it with a switch.

[Windblown]

I think the real question for street riders would be is there a legitimate need for it.  Traction control on a street bike is a bit of overkill in my opinion.  Unlike ABS which has a very real benifit because emergency stops are much more likely to be encountered compared to the need for maximum acceleration while leaned over.

The machines we ride are already capable of obliterating even the most generous of speed limits without it.  The only time I could see a legitimate need for it might be on snow/ice, and very few riders will have their bikes out in those conditions.

That said, I'd still dig playing with a bike equiped with it.  

[birdrunner]

The thing is that with bikes generating close to 200 HP,  traction contol is necessary for the manufacturerin order to sell their top end sport bikes without killing those incapable of handling a true 200 HP bike... which really is most of the purchasers.

[Cablebandit]

Apparently you don't live in an area where even the paved roads are covered in gravel (anti-skid  ) year round.

[Rincewind]

The machines we ride are already capable of obliterating even the most generous of speed limits without it.  The only time I could see a legitimate need for it might be on snow/ice, and very few riders will have their bikes out in those conditions.

Wouldn't rain conditions also qualify?  Can a TCS equipped bike be WOT coming out of a corner in the rain?

[Windblown]

Apparently you don't live in an area where even the paved roads are covered in gravel (anti-skid  ) year round.

TCS will only keep a tire from spinning up under acceleration. It will not prevent a slide.

[Cablebandit]

Well if the tire isn't spinning up  it's less likely to slide out from under you.

[Windblown]

Wouldn't rain conditions also qualify?  Can a TCS equipped bike be WOT coming out of a corner in the rain?

I'll give that a "maybe".  Rain is not a great lubricant. The only really slick stuff when wet seems to be uber smooth tar patches.  So yes, if you are accelerating out of a corner at WOT in the rain TCS would probably help. But if you're accelerating at WOT out of a corner in the rain... Maybe I'm just getting to old. LOL

[scottzilla]

What about "Rain mode" is bullshit?  it is a completely different map on my bike.  

KeS

A shitty useless map.  I'm not talking about retarding HP and Torque and calling it a map.

[Rincewind]

I'll give that a "maybe".  Rain is not a great lubricant. The only really slick stuff when wet seems to be uber smooth tar patches.  So yes, if you are accelerating out of a corner at WOT in the rain TCS would probably help. But if you're accelerating at WOT out of a corner in the rain... Maybe I'm just getting to old. LOL

I am not endorsing WOT out of rainy corners, it was just an example though likely a common occurrence in racing.  

I'd have to disagree about rain's effects, though.  In my experience traction can vary greatly across different road surfaces, and spinning the tire during acceleration can occur at above 1/2-3/4 throttle applications on certain road types.

[greywolf]

Like ABS , when properly implement it provides another measure of safety , especially on higher powered bikes.

I have it my car , and with 412hp , and the slick roads we had this winter , I  was most thankful for it.

[Hunter]

I put no TCS, it's fun to break the rear end loose coming out of a turn when you want to. That said being able to turn it on/off would be fine.

That said I would like ABS but not a linked braking system.

[Cablebandit]

I have traction control that I can switch off, as well as ABS and linked brakes.  I just wished the linked brakes didn't work at slow speed.  Let's say below 15mph or so.  

[Papa Lazarou]

I have traction control that I can switch off, as well as ABS and linked brakes.  I just wished the linked brakes didn't work at slow speed.  Let's say below 15mph or so.  

And I have a right hand that does all of that.l And feet.