Excellent video and I couldn't agree with you more! Technology, especially electronic intervention, has now gone bonkers in some areas and the only reason I can come up with is purely marketing purposes to get more options than the commercial opposition. I cannot, for the life of me, believe that when the design/technology/marketing team concerned with the 1300GS got together at BMW that their aim was to make the machine "safer" for their target customers! The bottom line is sales and nothing else. The gullible amongst the population will fall for the marketing of course, and why not it works with every incarnation of that model! After all said and done the 1150GS wasn't a bad bike 20 years ago, in fact a very nice machine that was engaging and rewarding to ride, but didn't stop the march of "progress" of subsequent models right up to the current 1300GS which,of course,will sell by the boat load as usual! Don't get me wrong I am not against progress, there can be no argument, for example, that tyre technology has made our pastime safer and more enjoyable with grip in the wet which we could only dream of 30 or 40 years ago. Disc brakes that work in the wet along with modern brake pad material as well, all brilliant advances in safety I also approve of active suspension to take the faff out of adjusting settings for pillion or luggage but even so I think that may be me getting lazy! But now I think we have the unnecessary and intrusive intervention of electronics in some areas which is taking away the skill, pleasure and symbiotic relationship we build up with each and every bike we ride. Can intrusive electronics have a negative aspect? Well,I think the possibility is there, definately. Take for example forward radar when used perhaps on a switchback road where acceleration and braking are prominent. You maybe following a vehicle at a safe distance with both of you making good progress, the guy in front brakes hard for a sharp corner but you are,say, 40 yards behind, the nano second it takes for the radar to detect an approaching "hazard" (the guy in front braking) activates your brakes far earlier than you anticipate then when he has passed the corner the "hazard" has gone and the brakes are let off just when you are needing them! I think I would feel far safer without any electronic intervention in this case leaving my fate to my own ability and experience. As an aside, I have experienced negative "safety technology" in my car when travelling along and the brakes were activated fully and unexpectedly when a car pulling out from a side road on my right to turn left got near to, but did not cross the centre line in doing so, this was enough to activate collision avoidance system and caused the car following me to brake suddenly to avoid me almost causing an accident! On another occasion while travelling in slow moving traffic in my local high street the pedestrian alert system was activated causing immediate sharp braking by my vehicle when two plastic shopping bags were blown across my path! I am sure there is no substitute for reading the road condition, weather, position of parked and moving vehicles and the unpredictable actions of other road users which includes a growing number of pedestrians usually totally oblivious to their surroundings as they are using their phones or listening to music via earpieces! Sensible technology yes.Intrusive technology no thanks!
I bought a Multistrada V4 Rally because it offered all tech goodies I wanted. I use adaptive cruise control on highways and sometimes even on main roads to relax my right arm if the road and the traffic warrant using it. I so far never had an issue with adaptive cruise control but of course, the rider always has to be aware of the situation around him. Same applies for blind spot detection.
I think the adaptive cruise is a good idea and something I would probably go for. As for automatic braking absolutely no way. I have it on the truck I drive and its a nightmare. It slams the brakes on when I am fully in control and not in a potential life threatening situation. If I couldn't turn that off I wouldn't buy the bike in the first place. I don't think BMW thought that through or consulted potential owners or if they did it wasn't very comprehensive. Thanks for your thoughts I agreed with most of your points. It will be interesting how the GSA will pan out when that finally arrives on the optional tech.
great video Steve, I couldn't agree more with your remarks. i have a 2023 Tracer loaded with Tec and most of it is completely unnecessary, for me at least, some of it, like ABS and electrically adjusted suspension, is both useful and enhances the comfort and safety of your ride, but adaptive cruise and automatic braking assist are more of a gimmick and if you really NEED them on your bike you should really ask yourself if you should be riding a two wheeled vehicle in the first place? I have a 20 year old Bonneville, which has absolutely zero tec, not even a fuel gauge!! and I enjoy riding that machine better than anything else, its man and machine, at one, and isn't that why we all started riding in the first place????????????
I don't have any problems with all new electronics features on any vehicle I own, since electronics now are pretty reliable! Active cruise control is fabulous! The only negative I see is the bike braking for you, since it may cach you in a dificult situation, but also it may save you. But, what if it gets confused? For example, I live in the mountains, and the road is fully contorted, with small turning radius, so it is posible to be turning and at the same time the radar caching a vehicle on the other side, unless the bike knows you are incluned and will not aply the brakes
I agree that there is a lot of tech of questionable value but I wouldn't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. For example lean sensitive ABS is a great safety innovation and the very clever braking system on the Yamaha GT9+ is another well conceived solution that can add great benefit for even the most experienced rider. Brake lights that flash under heavy braking is another useful tech heavy innovation. The issue is the extent to which riders lean on these tools at the expense of good riding practice. After 40 years on 2 wheels I have observed that carelessness is always punished severely. By all means tick the box for every feature available, just know that it won't necessarily save your skin. Love to hear articulate your point of view on all and sundry as you are not afraid to have an opinion.
I was recently in an accident where the driver in front slammed on the brakes and I couldn't do it on time. My motorcycle skidded and I had the whole left side rib cage broken. Underwent a chest reconstruction surgery. If there was an automatic braking and abs on my bike, I could have saved 6 months of agony. There is definitely some place for tech.
Agree with you on all points, why on earth introduce these so called 'driver aids' on a bike?? I think this is why there are many drivers on the road with no idea what's going on outside their steel box, they don't have to think, the car does it for them. Apparently.
Another great talk Steve. I agree totally with your POV on this. Just what the actual Feck are these box tickers doing on a bike in the first place if they need to be informed that a head on crash is imminent or that "Gott in Himmel Rider, you are about to change lanes, are you aware of this obvious fact?" 😆 BTW, i like your Tee Shirt. Where can i get one?
Bit confused there, you criticised cruise control that causes your pillion to lurch forward when disengaging but then went on to say there is no need for Active Cruise Control which eliminates this. I have that feature on my BMW RT1250 and it makes for a very comfortable ride on motorways (especially for a pillion) plus adds a bit of safety, I urge you to give it a go. Of course I can switch it off and indeed adjust the ‘safe’ distance to my liking. A further setting buried in the menus makes it smooth or dynamic on the braking, I keep mine smooth and leave it.
You're incorrect about lane change warning, it's not that, it's a blind spot detection system. It does nothing when you change lanes, only illuminates a small yellow triangle in your mirror if someone is in your blindspot or rapidly approaching in an adjacent lane. Also the braking with collision warning is not full braking it's just a pulse in the brakes to get your attention and only if you have ignored the warnings on the screen. Both are adjustable for sensitivity and can be turned off.
Completely agree. You’re nowhere near as engaged driving a car so ok. But any rider worth their salt knows you need to be focused because the stakes are so high. Lifesaver checks are a prerequisite of getting on two wheels so who needs it exactly? Reminds me of Billy Connolly asking who the ‘don’t use in the shower’ label on the hotel room hair dryer is for?! Time to cull the herd! I’m not having any electronics changing my decisions. It’s about me, the bike and the road and that’s it!
I would never ride a bike that does things on its own. I can't even imagine such a thing. Learn to ride or get a car. On a bike I want all manual control at all times. Riding since 1965, don't need any help, thanks.
But in fairness how far do we roll back technology back to points and a Bing carb with drum brakes,I love the toys on my RT and yes would love to have the best ABS etc. But full autopilot no
Excellent video and I couldn't agree with you more! Technology, especially electronic intervention, has now gone bonkers in some areas and the only reason I can come up with is purely marketing purposes to get more options than the commercial opposition. I cannot, for the life of me, believe that when the design/technology/marketing team concerned with the 1300GS got together at BMW that their aim was to make the machine "safer" for their target customers! The bottom line is sales and nothing else.
The gullible amongst the population will fall for the marketing of course, and why not it works with every incarnation of that model! After all said and done the 1150GS wasn't a bad bike 20 years ago, in fact a very nice machine that was engaging and rewarding to ride, but didn't stop the march of "progress" of subsequent models right up to the current 1300GS which,of course,will sell by the boat load as usual!
Don't get me wrong I am not against progress, there can be no argument, for example, that tyre technology has made our pastime safer and more enjoyable with grip in the wet which we could only dream of 30 or 40 years ago. Disc brakes that work in the wet along with modern brake pad material as well, all brilliant advances in safety I also approve of active suspension to take the faff out of adjusting settings for pillion or luggage but even so I think that may be me getting lazy! But now I think we have the unnecessary and intrusive intervention of electronics in some areas which is taking away the skill, pleasure and symbiotic relationship we build up with each and every bike we ride.
Can intrusive electronics have a negative aspect? Well,I think the possibility is there, definately. Take for example forward radar when used perhaps on a switchback road where acceleration and braking are prominent. You maybe following a vehicle at a safe distance with both of you making good progress, the guy in front brakes hard for a sharp corner but you are,say, 40 yards behind, the nano second it takes for the radar to detect an approaching "hazard" (the guy in front braking) activates your brakes far earlier than you anticipate then when he has passed the corner the "hazard" has gone and the brakes are let off just when you are needing them! I think I would feel far safer without any electronic intervention in this case leaving my fate to my own ability and experience. As an aside, I have experienced negative "safety technology" in my car when travelling along and the brakes were activated fully and unexpectedly when a car pulling out from a side road on my right to turn left got near to, but did not cross the centre line in doing so, this was enough to activate collision avoidance system and caused the car following me to brake suddenly to avoid me almost causing an accident! On another occasion while travelling in slow moving traffic in my local high street the pedestrian alert system was activated causing immediate sharp braking by my vehicle when two plastic shopping bags were blown across my path!
I am sure there is no substitute for reading the road condition, weather, position of parked and moving vehicles and the unpredictable actions of other road users which includes a growing number of pedestrians usually totally oblivious to their surroundings as they are using their phones or listening to music via earpieces!
Sensible technology yes.Intrusive technology no thanks!
I bought a Multistrada V4 Rally because it offered all tech goodies I wanted. I use adaptive cruise control on highways and sometimes even on main roads to relax my right arm if the road and the traffic warrant using it. I so far never had an issue with adaptive cruise control but of course, the rider always has to be aware of the situation around him. Same applies for blind spot detection.
I think the adaptive cruise is a good idea and something I would probably go for. As for automatic braking absolutely no way. I have it on the truck I drive and its a nightmare.
It slams the brakes on when I am fully in control and not in a potential life threatening situation. If I couldn't turn that off I wouldn't buy the bike in the first place.
I don't think BMW thought that through or consulted potential owners or if they did it wasn't very comprehensive.
Thanks for your thoughts I agreed with most of your points. It will be interesting how the GSA will pan out when that finally arrives on the optional tech.
Good points Steve, ive never thought about technology in this way!!
Completely agree with you, the whole point of riding a bike is to be alive, free. Why let something else take control? You might as well be asleep.
great video Steve, I couldn't agree more with your remarks. i have a 2023 Tracer loaded with Tec and most of it is completely unnecessary, for me at least, some of it, like ABS and electrically adjusted suspension, is both useful and enhances the comfort and safety of your ride, but adaptive cruise and automatic braking assist are more of a gimmick and if you really NEED them on your bike you should really ask yourself if you should be riding a two wheeled vehicle in the first place?
I have a 20 year old Bonneville, which has absolutely zero tec, not even a fuel gauge!! and I enjoy riding that machine better than anything else, its man and machine, at one, and isn't that why we all started riding in the first place????????????
I don't have any problems with all new electronics features on any vehicle I own, since electronics now are pretty reliable! Active cruise control is fabulous! The only negative I see is the bike braking for you, since it may cach you in a dificult situation, but also it may save you. But, what if it gets confused? For example, I live in the mountains, and the road is fully contorted, with small turning radius, so it is posible to be turning and at the same time the radar caching a vehicle on the other side, unless the bike knows you are incluned and will not aply the brakes
I agree that there is a lot of tech of questionable value but I wouldn't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. For example lean sensitive ABS is a great safety innovation and the very clever braking system on the Yamaha GT9+ is another well conceived solution that can add great benefit for even the most experienced rider. Brake lights that flash under heavy braking is another useful tech heavy innovation. The issue is the extent to which riders lean on these tools at the expense of good riding practice. After 40 years on 2 wheels I have observed that carelessness is always punished severely. By all means tick the box for every feature available, just know that it won't necessarily save your skin. Love to hear articulate your point of view on all and sundry as you are not afraid to have an opinion.
I was recently in an accident where the driver in front slammed on the brakes and I couldn't do it on time. My motorcycle skidded and I had the whole left side rib cage broken. Underwent a chest reconstruction surgery. If there was an automatic braking and abs on my bike, I could have saved 6 months of agony. There is definitely some place for tech.
well said - the real reason is though they must justify somehow so ridiculous prices for something having only 2 wheels
Agree with you on all points, why on earth introduce these so called 'driver aids' on a bike?? I think this is why there are many drivers on the road with no idea what's going on outside their steel box, they don't have to think, the car does it for them. Apparently.
Another great talk Steve. I agree totally with your POV on this. Just what the actual Feck are these box tickers doing on a bike in the first place if they need to be informed that a head on crash is imminent or that "Gott in Himmel Rider, you are about to change lanes, are you aware of this obvious fact?" 😆
BTW, i like your Tee Shirt. Where can i get one?
Bit confused there, you criticised cruise control that causes your pillion to lurch forward when disengaging but then went on to say there is no need for Active Cruise Control which eliminates this. I have that feature on my BMW RT1250 and it makes for a very comfortable ride on motorways (especially for a pillion) plus adds a bit of safety, I urge you to give it a go. Of course I can switch it off and indeed adjust the ‘safe’ distance to my liking. A further setting buried in the menus makes it smooth or dynamic on the braking, I keep mine smooth and leave it.
You're incorrect about lane change warning, it's not that, it's a blind spot detection system. It does nothing when you change lanes, only illuminates a small yellow triangle in your mirror if someone is in your blindspot or rapidly approaching in an adjacent lane. Also the braking with collision warning is not full braking it's just a pulse in the brakes to get your attention and only if you have ignored the warnings on the screen. Both are adjustable for sensitivity and can be turned off.
Completely agree. You’re nowhere near as engaged driving a car so ok. But any rider worth their salt knows you need to be focused because the stakes are so high. Lifesaver checks are a prerequisite of getting on two wheels so who needs it exactly? Reminds me of Billy Connolly asking who the ‘don’t use in the shower’ label on the hotel room hair dryer is for?! Time to cull the herd! I’m not having any electronics changing my decisions. It’s about me, the bike and the road and that’s it!
I would never ride a bike that does things on its own. I can't even imagine such a thing. Learn to ride or get a car. On a bike I want all manual control at all times. Riding since 1965, don't need any help, thanks.
Don't worry soon all we will get are e bikes either the battery is flat or it caught fire
But in fairness how far do we roll back technology back to points and a Bing carb with drum brakes,I love the toys on my RT and yes would love to have the best ABS etc. But full autopilot no
😂 if you're riding a bike...
Why do you want the tech to do it for you!
Love to ride, not press buttons 👍