Bike features: How much is too much?

[Toruk]

Is that R1100 yours? If so, I am incredibly jealous. That machine is stunning. If that bike was offered today as new, equipped as it is now, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

The Boxer Cup belongs to a great BMW friend Todd Trumbore. YES it is a stunning bike and I would gladly add it to my stable. My RS is amazing and I love it!!

 

[jono]

My 19 GS has buttons and I can alter its settings with the GS911. Right now, it has High and Low, but I can change it to add more graduated settings and control the heat level on each setting I create. I have some Oxford grips on my VFR that give me 5 levels of heat, so I'll probably replicate that. The button on the right cluster will just cycle through them as I press it.

I wonder what you can do with the buttons on an RT with the GS911?

Your GS configuration/setup with graduated levels is how the favorite button works on the RT.

 

[Gotmilk]

Hell, I'm all in.
I even got the option where I sit on the couch and the bike rides it's self, sending movies back to my TV.
No need to put those pesky leathers on any more.

He's most recently advised people to take their pads out of their gear. I think he's turned from being a useful motorcycle information resource to a guy that just makes hot takes to get clicks.

I've pretty much stopped watching him.

I saw that video about the pads and my training in trauma medicine tells me he has made some assumptions using the wrong frame of reference. Riding gear pads were never designed to prevent injury from axial loads like a helmet would. Having experienced a few low sides, I can say having no pads could have resulted is some very hurtful situations. As it was, some burned through pants, but nary a mark on my skin.
Upon further reflection, axial load is really not the correct term. That refers to a force applied along the axis of a long bone such as a femur or humerus. Axial is kind of hard to imply when dealing with a sphere such as a skull. I should have said direct impact. While pads help some with direct impact their major benefit is helping mitigate shearing forces such as one encounters when sliding on pavement or whatever other surface you happen to be on.

 

[chadhargis]

I have been a technology expert for 37 years. I work with it every day. I love it. It pays my bills.

So the last thing I want on my motorcycle is technology. Yes, ABS, heated grips, and fuel injection is great....but I really have no desire to have anything else on my bike. I want the bike to do as I make it, not the other way around. I have no need for digital displays, cruise control, traction control, automatic transmissions, radar systems, etc, etc. All that is stuff that adds dollars to the initial purchase and dollars to repair and maintenance costs down the road.

I do much of my own work on my bike. My 2013 1200 R is perfect. It has no options. Just regular ole suspension. Normal dial gauges. I'm gonna keep it going as long as I can. It's 11 years old and has nearly 30,000 miles on it. It's still a young pup.

 

[skibum69]

That's one thing about my airheads, not a bit of technology at all as compared to the modern world. I like it!

 

[globalrider]

The only things I want on a motorcycle:

Long range stock tank. All three of my GSes have that.
A comfortable stock seat. All three of my GSes have that.
Cruise control. My 2016 R1200 GSA LC has that and the others have a throttle friction lock.
Heated grips. My 2016 R1200 GSA LC has that.

I do not need the rest of the fancy-smancy bling that is nothing but a distraction.

 

[omega man]

The only things I want on a motorcycle:

Long range stock tank. All three of my GSes have that.
A comfortable stock seat. All three of my GSes have that.
Cruise control. My 2016 R1200 GSA LC has that and the others have a throttle friction lock.
Heated grips. My 2016 R1200 GSA LC has that.

I do not need the rest of the fancy-smancy bling that is nothing but a distraction.

I would like to add tubeless tires to the list.
OM

 

[globalrider]

I would like to add tubeless tires to the list.
OM

I guess, although I can't remember ever getting a flat on motorcycles that had tubes.

Come to think of it, my 2002 KLR650 that I did the Trans Labrador with, all gravel and some sections with almost 180 miles between anything. I remember bringing some heavy duty Pirelli or Michelin MX tubes with me, tire irons and a patch kit, chain, cables....

 

[omega man]

I guess, although I can't remember ever getting a flat on motorcycles that had tubes.

Come to think of it, my 2002 KLR650 that I did the Trans Labrador with, all gravel and some sections with almost 180 miles between anything. I remember bringing some heavy duty Pirelli or Michelin MX tubes with me, tire irons and a patch kit, chain, cables....

That has done it! Jinxed yourself.
OM

 

[globalrider]

That has done it! Jinxed yourself.
OM

I remember that day, 330 miles of loose gravel road. I know the front washed out at least 20 times but I was able to catch it each time. Not relaxing to say the least. The pizza and beer at the end of that section was much needed.

A tube tire is much more flexible and easier to work with.

 

[Scott9999]

Well apparently someone wants these features otherwise they wouldn't be available on the new bikes.

Umm.. maybe the BMW Motorrad marketing folks want them, ya know, the people in the back office making these decision who probably haven't ridden a motorcycle before, or at least, not in the past 20 years.

Edit:
I didn't realize this thread was that old, or I wouldn't have responded, but since I did ....

I found my 2018 RT bewildering with all the technology. Most if it I like. A few things, well, I don't know how to use them (or find them in the menu system) anyhow, so it doesn't really matter.

Analogy: I bought a new-to-me 2022 Ford Lariat last year, which has most of Ford's bells in whistles, including cameras everywhere, some level of self driving, driver warning, just a WHOLE slew of electronics. I spent many days reading thru Ford's manuals trying to figure out how different things work. And, similar to the 2018 RT experience, there are things I don't use, and buttons which I forgot the purpose for. I also agree, given a real choice, I'd pick essential items (maybe power windows, adjustable steering wheel, plus a few extras (my short wife need electric seats and adjustable pedals), but over half the stuff I'd have dropped. However, I didn't have that choice, i.e. it's "standard" for their upgraded Lariat model. On the other hand, I PICKED a loaded, "Premium" RT, but the reason for that was I didn't want to figure out each package when I was overwhelmed while shopping for my new bike, so I just bought one that had them all, and figured that I wouldn't run into the situation where, "Oh, dang, I didn't get ESA, and it'll cost me $5000 to retrofit it ...", or whatever might come up.

So, I'm in agreement. More technology = more rapid obsolesce, early equipment failure, more $$$, and a lot of hassle and time LEARNING how to use all that stuff. It's a mixed bag. YMMV

 

[globalrider]

Umm.. maybe the BMW Motorrad marketing folks want them, ya know, the people in the back office making these decision who probably haven't ridden a motorcycle before, or at least, not in the past 20 years.

Edit:
I didn't realize this thread was that old, or I wouldn't have responded, but since I did ....

Personally, I have absolutely no use for nanny controls on my motorcycles or cars. Can't ride or drive, learn to ride or drive. I had no choice in my 2016 R1200 GSA LC, but my 2003 and 2004 R1150 GSA I chose no ABS even if it were a "no cost" option.

As for "old posts", I could never come up with a logical reason on any forum I am on what the big deal is. Info is info unless new posts make the owner of a site wealthier.

 

[Scott9999]

Personally, I have absolutely no use for nanny controls on my motorcycles or cars. Can't ride or drive, learn to ride or drive. I had no choice in my 2016 R1200 GSA LC, but my 2003 and 2004 R1150 GSA I chose no ABS even if it were a "no cost" option.

As for "old posts", I could never come up with a logical reason on any forum I am on what the big deal is. Info is info unless new posts make the owner of a site wealthier.

Well, the ONE thing I need to have on my newish car and truck, is backup cameras. The F150 has gone 360 with 'em, nice to have, but not essential, very expensive, and they've already replaced one of 'em under warranty. My previous truck was a 2015 F150 Diesel, crew-cab/long bed, and I was bumping into stuff in tight parking lots when I first bought it, because I couldn't judge the depth/length of that thing via rear mirrors. I put an OEM one on that truck after the first time my wife and I went out to dinner. I also like my "idiot proof" ABS brakes, since I'm NOT idiot proof.

But otherwise, I'm pretty much in sync with your observation.

 

[steveaikens]

My Dad started teaching me to ride in 1956. Gave me a 1939 Simplex Servi-Cycle for my 10th birthday. Other than when I was in SEA, I've always had at least one bike. Currently down to two - one of which I gave to my boy. At a modest 78 years old, health is getting in the way of riding but I'm working past that.

My point is, I have a lot of features on my 15 RT that I have no use for - or desire to fiddle with. I see bikes these days that are loaded even more than my RT and I honestly can't understand the desire to [IMO] overload the bikes with features a lot of folks don't care about. All it does that I can understand is - raise to cost of the bike.

Just IMO.

 

[globalrider]

I also like my "idiot proof" ABS brakes, since I'm NOT idiot proof.

Well if I had ABS that day, I would have cut that bicyclist in half. By the way, this was on a country road where I moved to the centerline to give the goof on the bicycle, who happened to be about 40 riding a "standard" bicycle, lots of room.

With no driveway or road to turn into, the idiot did a snap 90 degree turn across the road and was likely heading back. Trust me, there was no second to think about this. Hard on the brakes (no ABS, thank God), the rear wheel lifted maybe 12" max. but I still needed to steer, so I eased off to get the back wheel on the ground and used the one-foot to the right next to the shoulder to get around the inbred.

I do not carry insurance because I am 50 years accident-free. So I turned around to give him sh*t like you would not believe. I also saw the very long black line left by my front tire on the road due to threshold braking. When I got home, I cleaned the bugs off my bike as I usually do and also saw a black bit of rubber on my left crash bar...from his rear tire. That is how close it was.

But I also got a chuckle when auto advertizers used to boast about ABS when they first came out (late 70s, early 80s?). I think it was a GM commercial where a woman would be on ABS and steer around an obstacle. Steer...really...with a driver in panic mode? LOL Trust me, if you are in ABS mode, your average driver is in a panic mode and will likely never steer.

 

[bc1100s]

Please, somebody call the wahmbulance....

 

[Gotmilk]

I just wanted to say thank you to all the members that joined the discussion. There were some great comments and viewpoints, as evidenced by the vast amount of experience and varied backgrounds our members have. As in anything, we all have different preferences and opinions, but what is important is that we all ride. Good on ya all! Be safe and have fun.

 

[waynetjohnson1955]

I had to stop at my local dealer to pick up a few things, had some time to kill, so I was looking at the new GS1300. I have a 2014 GS1200.
The sales person was explaining all the “cool” features and as he was going on my mind was ticking off the boxes; don’t need that, don’t need that, don’t need that, ad nauseam.
Some things are great; ABS no brainer, cruise control you bet, heated grips nice but not essential. But lane warning; turn your head and check your mirrors. A radar unit for adaptive cruise control; pay attention to whatever vehicle you’re following. Hill start assist; I know how to use my clutch.
My point is, part of the reason I ride is that riding a motorcycle, safely, requires a level of practice and expertise. That for me is the beauty of a motorcycle. Always concentrating on the task at hand and striving to get better no matter how short the trip. In my opinion if one isn’t willing to put in the time to ride well then stay in your car.
I can see where the argument could be made that these features are nice, maybe even useful for large cruisers, but not for a GS. I know that stuff sells, and companies are in the business of making money. In my perfect world you could buy a bike with just the features you need and not be tied into a tier that has some of the things you need but a lot of things you don’t.
Tech is flashy and looks cool but to my mind it dumbs down the essence of a motorcycle. I believe this is irrefutable; the more complex something is, the more expensive it is, the more maintenance it requires, and the more chance there is of failure. That’s not what I want in an adventure bike. BMW is turning the GS into the Range Rover of the motorcycle world; a glitzy, albeit capable, machine that probably less than five percent of which will ever have anything other than pavement under their tires.
I’ll admit it. I’m an old critter and won’t rule out the possibility there may be something I’m missing or maybe I’m just out of touch. and not everyone will agree with it but I’m okay with that.

I had to stop at my local dealer to pick up a few things, had some time to kill, so I was looking at the new GS1300. I have a 2014 GS1200.
The sales person was explaining all the “cool” features and as he was going on my mind was ticking off the boxes; don’t need that, don’t need that, don’t need that, ad nauseam.
Some things are great; ABS no brainer, cruise control you bet, heated grips nice but not essential. But lane warning; turn your head and check your mirrors. A radar unit for adaptive cruise control; pay attention to whatever vehicle you’re following. Hill start assist; I know how to use my clutch.
My point is, part of the reason I ride is that riding a motorcycle, safely, requires a level of practice and expertise. That for me is the beauty of a motorcycle. Always concentrating on the task at hand and striving to get better no matter how short the trip. In my opinion if one isn’t willing to put in the time to ride well then stay in your car.
I can see where the argument could be made that these features are nice, maybe even useful for large cruisers, but not for a GS. I know that stuff sells, and companies are in the business of making money. In my perfect world you could buy a bike with just the features you need and not be tied into a tier that has some of the things you need but a lot of things you don’t.
Tech is flashy and looks cool but to my mind it dumbs down the essence of a motorcycle. I believe this is irrefutable; the more complex something is, the more expensive it is, the more maintenance it requires, and the more chance there is of failure. That’s not what I want in an adventure bike. BMW is turning the GS into the Range Rover of the motorcycle world; a glitzy, albeit capable, machine that probably less than five percent of which will ever have anything other than pavement under their tires.
I’ll admit it. I’m an old critter and won’t rule out the possibility there may be something I’m missing or maybe I’m just out of touch. This is just my opinion and not everyone will agree with it but I’m okay with that.

Coming from a 19 rt to a 23 i was skeptical of the adaptive cruise. After the 700 miles ride home after purchasing i realized i no longer have to click the cruise off every time I come up on a car in the left doing 80 i just wait for them to move over and all is good again. Having ridden for over sixty years I'm adapting to technology that may not be necessary but truly enjoyed. As far as tech going wrong the same can be said with the 4 wheeler you drive every day I will just get a newer one before things go awry! The only complaints is the time to navigate through the menu on the tft getting places

 

[globalrider]

Nahhh, I do not need nanny controls (ABS, stability control, etc) on my motorcycles or cars. Those things really dumb you down.

And the worst part is not only do they cost you more during a purchase, you now need to maintain them when they break down.

 

[kbasa]

Nahhh, I do not need nanny controls (ABS, stability control, etc) on my motorcycles or cars. Those things really dumb you down.

And the worst part is not only do they cost you more during a purchase, you now need to maintain them when they break down.

30+ years with cars and bikes with ABS and I've yet to have to do anything other than replace pads.

I'm sure you turn that off on your Porsches, yes?