How important is "modern tech" to you in a bike?

[atadaskew]

My current favorite that has it all without going way overboard with electronics is the '12 CBR1000RR.

It has everything required to be competitive:
Powerful engine
Refinement
Great Chassis with the latest fully adjustable, high quality suspension (Big Piston Fork and rear shock).
Light weight
Great looks

Yet it doesn't give the rider too much stuff he does NOT need:
multi-mode traction control--if you need this to control your bike, then maybe it's just too much power?  
ABS - Optional (I think--for those who has to have it--really?  Maybe it's time to drive a car?   )

Actually no.

There is a reason the newest 2012 model is gathering dust on my local showroom floor.  It looks fantastic - yes.  It is light - sure.  It is powerful - not class leading but still good.

So what's the problem?  ALL it's rivals now offer much more for similar money.  Honda has decided, again, to offer less than its competitors but for the same money.

Want the electrics or not, this bike either needs to have them, or be cheaper than its rivals.

I'm sure the next gen CBR1K will have the latest stuff.  Problem is the other mfgs are already on their next gen bikes.

[oldenslow]

Anything after 1977 I'm fine with.      

[dan88z]

I don't buy them because I don't care if they're there or not.

Don’t get your panties in a bunch because you think I talked down to you for wanting your traction control.  Traction control and ABS are nice to have but on a motorcycle, it’s kind of putting seatbelts on them.  Maybe it will save your life.  But if you’re that concerned, then a car would be safer, yes?  

If you’re the type that says, “If it doesn’t have ABS and traction control then I’m not buying it!”, then I think you’re missing the point of motorcycling.  Just pick the bike that lights your fire and forget about all the electronic nanny controls.  If it comes with it, great!  Enjoy.  It’s the same with people who complain about the lack of heated grips or GPS option or adjustable windscreens!  Gee, how about AC and cupholders while you’re at it!  

I'm more in the camp that these features let me push my limits more, but that's all subjective. The Connie is the 1st bike I've owned with this stuff, I didn't have or need it on my other bikes, but it's definitely something that was a plus in my decision to buy this bike. I wanted an ST, there are not any options in that class, and the Connie was the best bang for the buck in my opinion. It most definitely lights my fire, I've never had a bike that after 6 hours in the saddle I look forward to another 2 hours. Different strokes for different folks, if these features don't turn you on and the CBR1000RR is your cup of tea, cool. I'm too old to spend all day on a bike like that. I didn't like being on a cruiser for that long either which is why I went with an ST like this. The extra features like heated grips, adjustable shield, nice luggage were all icing on the cake for the kind of riding  I enjoy.

[Kootenanny]

I prefer air cooled...fins are in!

[JonS]

FI is about as advanced as I care for. Every time I go for a ride, in the back of my mind I worry that the immobilizer will leave me stranded.   It's never happened, but still...
I'm planning to get a dual sport and it will be even less advanced than my 2004 bike.

[keppyou812]

I like mine of a simpler technology.  

I would like the ability to choose the technology that comes with the bike I purchase.  
For example.  In the automotive world since 2008 TPMS is mandated, not optional. And in a very few years electronic stability control will be mandatory.
The results of government interfering and telling us what is in our best interest.  Of course this stems from people not taking the responsibliity for their own actions.
Most people feel it is their RIGHT to be able to drive, however badly they do it.

I still think this started with the lawsuit some idiot somehow won over the cup of coffee was hot, and they burned themselves exiting the drive through. We are rewarding stupidity.  

There is no situational awareness beyond what we are texting on the dam cell phone, while steering with our knees.

[gritsngravy]

In just under 200 miles of riding my Bking today in the mountains on sometimes damp, gravel filled corners I never once thought about needing more tech to get down the road safely.   I'm cool with the frames, solid electronics, bright headlights, decent brakes, pointless ignitions, decent wheels/tires of my current machines.  I do like ABS but somehow have never ended up with it on any of my bikes.    

Hell as it is I still kinda miss kickstarters on street bikes.  While everyone else is jumping through their tailbone to buy the latest & greatest stat sheet popping,  nanny gate electro wonder I usually end up buying the several years old dusty left over low tech bike and still manage to have more than I really need.    

[Rattlehead]

I'm actually pretty surprised by the number of "I like simplicity" answers. I really kind of expected a sport-touring crowd to favor the electronic goodies.  

I do agree that EFI is pretty nice though. I hate the thought of some stupid sensor going bad and leaving me stranded somewhere but it's ability to adjust fueling for wide temperature swings or elevation changes just rocks.   I still like carbs though for their simplicity and their ability to be tuned for nothing more than $20 in parts and some patience ( a LOT of patience in some cases). I have to admit that I got some kind of sick twisted joy out of carb tuning on some of my other bikes.  

[scott19]

I think every bike should have FI. I never want to touch another carb as long as I live (although I know I will).

I also think every bike should have hydraulic lifters and belt drive. They seem like great ideas for street bikes.

Lastly, I think every bike should have dual disc brakes up front. the lack of symmetry on single disc wheels drive me nuts.

[Rogue]

Actually no.

There is a reason the newest 2012 model is gathering dust on my local showroom floor.  It looks fantastic - yes.  It is light - sure.  It is powerful - not class leading but still good.

So what's the problem?  ALL it's rivals now offer much more for similar money.  Honda has decided, again, to offer less than its competitors but for the same money.

Want the electrics or not, this bike either needs to have them, or be cheaper than its rivals.

I'm sure the next gen CBR1K will have the latest stuff.  Problem is the other mfgs are already on their next gen bikes.

AT, I don't see the 2012 Gixxers and R1's flying out of the showrooms of my dealership either.  It's not even the end of February yet.  What does it matter anyway?  They all want to buy the BMW S1000RR because it has the highest horsepower!

I'm willing to bet that most buyers of these machines won't even bother with the multi-mode TC.  They'll just leave it at max power and call it a day.  In any case, if I were in the market for this type of motorcycle, I would choose based on other factors and not because it has all the electronic doodads.  If it doesn't help the bike go faster, handle better, lighter, more efficient, I don't really care.  It's a motorcycle and I spend my time riding it, not pushing buttons and over analyzing whether I'm in the right traction setting.  To me, that's the essence of riding a motorcycle.  

[Rogue]

I prefer air cooled...fins are in!

I'm with you on that Koot.  The simplicity of my Firebolt always made me smile.

I miss her.  

[Rogue]

I wanted an ST, there are not any options in that class, and the Connie was the best bang for the buck in my opinion. It most definitely lights my fire, I've never had a bike that after 6 hours in the saddle I look forward to another 2 hours. Different strokes for different folks, if these features don't turn you on and the CBR1000RR is your cup of tea, cool.

Dan, I understand what you are saying.  Not knocking on you at all.  Doesn't the C14 have a keyless start?  I have one of those for my car, and even remote start.  I have to admit, I really like that feature, along with a host of other advanced electronics features.  

Having said that, when I'm riding my bike, I usually can only focus on riding.  So I'm not really interested in adding any more factors into the experience.  I don't even have GPS on my bike (I only recently discovered it in my car).  So when I tour, I often get lost or make a wrong turn.  I do have a heated vest but that's the most electronic device I've ever had.  I think heated gloves is better than heated grips, or so my friend who owns a BMW with heated grips tells me.  I may add the heated gloves to my gear.  I just prefer simplicity over complexity for my bike because it allows me to experience it all and be "disconnected" when I head out.  Simple bikes can do 99% of what complicated bikes can.  

[Kootenanny]

I think every bike should have FI. I never want to touch another carb as long as I live (although I know I will).

I also think every bike should have hydraulic lifters and belt drive. They seem like great ideas for street bikes.

Lastly, I think every bike should have dual disc brakes up front. the lack of symmetry on single disc wheels drive me nuts.

Funny, I don't see a Buell on your garage list...(must be the single, oversize front brake disc...which I admit, looks a bit funky...).

I'm with you on that Koot.  The simplicity of my Firebolt always made me smile.

I miss her.  

Yes, a bike elegant in design, but simple in execution.   Engine is all it needs to be--pushrods, cooling fins, and all.  Chassis is great.  EFI, sure...TCS, no.  Buell's idea of tech isn't to add lots of electronic gewgaws to the engine to derive that last erg of top-end power (and give the marketing department something to advertise), but rather to simplify and balance the bike--you know, the thing we actually ride.  High tech isn't just circuitry, it's concepts like mass centralization, fuel-in-frame (and the engineering required to attach the steering head safely to a chassis which is also the fuel tank), and ZTL brakes.  And hey, there's something to be said for a cooling system that'll never leak...

[dan88z]

Dan, I understand what you are saying.  Not knocking on you at all.  Doesn't the C14 have a keyless start?  I have one of those for my car, and even remote start.  I have to admit, I really like that feature, along with a host of other advanced electronics features.  

Having said that, when I'm riding my bike, I usually can only focus on riding.  So I'm not really interested in adding any more factors into the experience.  I don't even have GPS on my bike (I only recently discovered it in my car).  So when I tour, I often get lost or make a wrong turn.  I do have a heated vest but that's the most electronic device I've ever had.  I think heated gloves is better than heated grips, or so my friend who owns a BMW with heated grips tells me.  I may add the heated gloves to my gear.  I just prefer simplicity over complexity for my bike because it allows me to experience it all and be "disconnected" when I head out.  Simple bikes can do 99% of what complicated bikes can.  

It's all good Rogue! And I agree 100% that a simple bike can do just about everything a complex one can.

The C14 has a proximity fob, where the fob has to be near  the bike for it to start, but it's not a remote start like some cars have. The key is housed in a "stove knob" which you can't remove it from the bike without the fob being nearby. You press the stove knob down, it reads the fob is near, and allows you to turn the knob to the run position. If it's not nearby, you can't turn the knob at all. There is also an option if you turn it all the way to the right were you can remove the key, but I never do. The fob itself has a spare key that snaps into the housing, I use that one to get into the bags and open the gas tank. Here's a pic of the dash and you can see the stove knob:



As far as the other electronic goodies, it's not something I spend a lot of time dealing with while riding. I can page thru various things by pressing a button near the left grip- tire pressure, battery charge, outside temp, avg mpg, and current mpg. I'll check the tire pressure and battery info when I 1st start going, then leave it on the temp or current mpg. It has an "eco" mode that leans out the fuel map for better economy, I like that. You engage that by pressing and holding the same button you toggle thru the display with. Again,not something you worry about while on the road. The traction control has 1 setting and you engage or disengage by holding it's button. There are 2 ABS modes as well that I'll adjust prior to my ride depending on where I'm going. One mode is a higher linked brake effect that is good for the slab/higher speed stopping. The other is lesser and is better for trail braking on the twisties. I do like to use the electronic windshield adjustment while riding- up higher on the slab for higher speed wind protection, drop it down in the twisties and lower speeds to get more wind in my face. I don't have any heated gear but the heated grips on this bike are nice to have.

It's not always about tech to me. My former bikes were cruisers that had little in the way of high tech, aside from FI on the last 2. No tach, gas gauges that were only somewhat reliable, but a trip odometer that I could use to gauge my range before needing a gas stop. No abs, even single front disk and drum brakes on the rear of some of them.  

[02Tac]

  I would say that in general the tecno stuff has had a negative impact on motorcycling in that it has driven cost up.  I suppose I am one of the few that will say this, but I also feel HP has gotten out of hand for bikes aimed at the general public.  When you have to add traction control and such to a bike to make it rideable for all but a very few, you have simply put way to much power into the machine.

 We have gotten carried away with "goodies". Imagine how much less todays bikes would cost without all the electronic extras.  Aside from fuel injection, I would be very happy with a simple basic bike; like my Bandit. Do I really needs electronically adjustable suspension, fuel maps I can change while riding, X numbers of traction control settings or ABS? No, unfortunately they are not things you delete on most models and as such the cost of an otherwise sensibly priced bike is far more than it should be.  

[Kootenanny]

It's all good Rogue! And I agree 100% that a simple bike can do just about everything a complex one can.

The C14 has a proximity fob...I can page thru various things by pressing a button near the left grip- tire pressure, battery charge, outside temp, avg mpg, and current mpg...traction control has 1 setting and you engage or disengage by holding it's button...2 ABS modes as well that I'll adjust prior to my ride depending on where I'm going

Hmmm...but, all these things you describe are not found on a "simple" bike.  Indeed, they are excellent examples of techy stuff that I, personally, don't find myself wanting on a bike.  "Proximity fob"...what's wrong with a key, which will cost less and will work even if the battery is low?  I have a tire pressure gauge, which needs to be applied manually but won't disable the machine if a sensor goes out of whack; traction control is in my right wrist, and my "manual ABS" won't release the front brake because the rear wheel hit some pavement ripples (like BMW F800ST braking software does...).  The only thing you don't mention is a clock, which my bike does have, I admit...probably a good thing, as I don't wear a watch...

[dan88z]

 I would be very happy with a simple basic bike; like my Bandit. Do I really needs electronically adjustable suspension, fuel maps I can change while riding, X numbers of traction control settings or ABS? No, unfortunately they are not things you delete on most models and as such the cost of an otherwise sensibly priced bike is far more than it should be.  

You found those features, in your Bandit. I found what I like in my Connie. Nothing wrong with either.

The high tech stuff is always going to be available to those who want it and who are willing to pay for it. The thing is- how long will people be able to buy a bike without ABS and other features like that? At one point a single front disk and drum rear brake were standard, now almost every bike has dual fronts and a rear disk. FI was new technology at one point, now it's pretty much standard. Things evolve whether we  want them to or not.

[02Tac]

 At one point a single front disk and drum rear brake were standard, now almost every bike has dual fronts and a rear disk. FI was new technology at one point, now it's pretty much standard. Things evolve whether we  want them to or not.

All true, I just do not like how the techy stuff drives the price up.  If I had a bit of extra cash, L&D has a left over Bandit I would like. Simple and inexpensive.

[KeithB]

I appreciate good design and modern sophistication, but only if it makes the bike work better.  I just got an '11 ZX-10R solely because it is a significant step up in performance and the traction control & ABS seem to be very refined.

Technical doodads just for the sake of having doodads really don't do it for me.  The gee-wiz dash on the 10R got old after the first ride, but I'll suffer through that to have to the rest of it that truly is jet-fighter instead of steam-locomotive design.

I do plan on getting the extended warrantee, however........

[cbsnbiker]

I still think this started with the lawsuit some idiot somehow won over the cup of coffee was hot, and they burned themselves exiting the drive through. We are rewarding stupidity.  

Actually, if you look into the facts of that coffee case, you'll learn that McDonald's really was negligent.

Re the topic of this thread: I also like innovations, and also don't need fancy doo-dads just for the sake of them. I like ABS, and my two newer bikes have it. Other stuff? Guess I'll research it when it's time for me to buy another bike.