New cars long ago passed the point of tech necessity with so many interrelated systems on board, it’s becoming impossible to work on them yourself or, for that matter, to operate everything when desired or needed.
What was that feature and how do you turn it on?
If you’ve bought a new car recently, you are familiar with the delivery procedure where the sale rep sits inside the car with you and explains how everything works. For many of us who have grown up working on motor vehicles of all kinds for many decades, it’s maddening, not because he’s telling us what we already know, those things aren’t covered, it’s that most of what is explained is how to access all of the tech features in the dash, on the steering wheel, in the smart multi-function levers on either side of the steering column plus whatever switches and buttons are arrayed on the center console, door panels and overhead. If you have more than one vehicle in the family with similar levels of complexity, but different arrangements of controls, well, good luck. There are capabilities in my wife’s car, I’ll never turn on because they’re securely buried under layers of menus I have no desire to explore and traverse. I know they’re there, I saw the sales rep demo them, but they might as well not be.
Motorcycles are simpler, right?
Motorcycles haven’t gone that far, yet, but they’re moving in that direction. There was quite a debate when ABS began to appear, then linked braking where front and rear were applied even if you didn’t do it yourself. Yes, safety increased, but so did complexity. The new digital displays with multiple screens just make me shake my head, on a motorcycle? Seriously? Android Auto is beginning to appear in the dash and Ducati has introduced radar with adaptive cruise control and blind spot indicators. Several companies now let you choose the riding mode, like sport or off road adjusting engine performance and suspension and there’s traction control and more. You can get Heads Up Displays in helmets, it’s likely to appear on bikes soon, if it hasn’t already. Just enter your intended target in the GPS, file a flight plan and you’re off.
See those guys in the photo above? Low tech, but able to ride anywhere. Remember heading out on a Sunday, with no particular place to go? You flip open the filler cap to check your gas, start your bike, glance at the gauges and it’s you and the highway. Nothing else necessary, no connection to the cloud and if something didn’t work, you could figure it out. I really hope the rush to more tech doesn’t take that away.
UPDATE: On a related note, we previously covered: connected motorcycles
Gordon Taylor says
One of the reasons I don’t own a motorcycle made after the mid 1980s
Doug says
I own a 2004 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport and thankfully the most tech it has is EFI.
paul says
e ate in fir a shock if motorcycles adopt too much tech. my Hyundai suv had it side mirror damaged recently, $1500 for a new one fitted!!!! it had lights, sensors, electric operation and matching paint. this is a car i can not afford to keep or claim such damage on my insurance.
Jake Cady says
I’ve been working on bikes for a living. Started 40 years ago and much prefer sorting out vintage bikes of quality .it. Guzzi and Harley are my favorites.
Less is more technology; however, the Harley’s are better with fuel injection and electronic ignition in the twin cam years. Moto Guzzi I prefer bikes from the mid 70s.
I’d like to see more technology that is transparent to the user. There’s no reason why these hi tech vehicles cannot tell the user what’s wrong with them when they are failing.
My customers often ask what tool kit I would recommend they carry. I suggest a good roadside assistance policy. You cannot carry enough tools to fix it and what makes you think you could even if you did. The number of saddlebag supports broken and accidents caused by overloading motorcycles with tools that will never get used could be avoided.
Mark Davis says
My 63 HD is about as low tech, as you can get.
My 01 Road King isn’t much more advanced, with the exception of the spark control module and crank position sensor. I opted for the carbureted version. It’s sitting at 153K miles, so I’m okay with its technical side.
That’s as technical as I need.
Eric Kerr says
Computers, NFG , CARS and MC’s. I F’ing hate em, when they eliminate them I will buy new, not before . Thanks Kneeslider, your the best!
David says
Chips* with Everything?
Interesting article it’s something I constantly think of mostly cars to be honest,,
How much tinsel do you really need ?
Is too much not enough?
And is it really worth it?
Car and bike both have too much electronics, mostly for emissions to get them ultra clean, that is not the problem.
You don’t need a DVD player on a bike, of course that’s extreme and ridicules
In my Cerman compact if I don’t stat it ever second or third day I won’t stat on the fourth, the battery is drained because the power is going to to the system within the car
About three years ago someone asked me after me ranting about this “What would you buy?2within 3 second I said “a Morgan” Why because I can’t fit in a Caterham ”
Sometimes I go and visit a pal, Davie , who has a few bikes Last time I saw him he had a Thunderbird , He would get on it and just drive it all day,
But he also has a couple of oldies mechanically perfect but not shiny ,One of them is a Chinese BMW with sidecar
Now while the Thunderbird in not overly complex in today’s world, the Chang Jang is simple easy to repair although it doesn’t break down ,maintenance ? Again easy
Are we a pair of boring old farts? . . . . .more than likely.
I look at some new bikes and cars and think “There is just too much jewelry” ,
A Honda car with a 42 inch screen?
Seriously !!!!
A Ducati ? They weren’t much good it the 70s with wiring , I have little reason to believe they would be better with chips
Now most of what I’ve typed looks anti EV, but No .
EVs use EV type technology ,
If you want to learn you can ,
But you’ll miss the cold floor and the moisture of oil running up your arm
stephen bogert says
I owned most Ducati models from the ’70s back then, they did usually have terrible electrics. More recently I bought an ’07 Sport Classic GT 1000. That is a fantastic bike, I did upgrade the suspension but the rest is quite fine and seems durable, the perfrmance would blow away the ’70s twins too. Just sayin, it made this old guy happy!
Vin says
One of my Uncles rode from Pennsylvania to Colorado and back a number of times in the 40’s on a Harley. Back in the 70’s my buds and I made a trip from So. Cal. to Colorado and back, from So, Cal to San Francisco a bunch of times, and ALL over So. Cal from San Diego to Death Valley to Yuma Arizona all on Harley Shovel hard tails, SuperGlides and Sporties. Never had prblems worse than bugs smacking us in the face.
Vin says
Want to add that I’m still riding a Dyna but on Maui now and these guys that NEED all the modern junk and a radio and a Goldwing that is a car with two wheels are squirrels
stephen bogert says
My newest bikes go as far as having ABS, that I feel is nice to have but not utterly important to me. My 2003 BMW has cruise control, sort of a cool feature but I have used throttle friction devices for so long they still satisfy me. Heated grips I thought were silly until I used them, now my cold weather and touring bikes have that feature, I even added it to my KTM ADV 950.
I look for good supension, but electronics there I have not tried, the easily adjustable stuf on most bikes usually gets set and adjusted only to carry a passenger. Active suspension seems likely to be troublesome and expensive to fix.
I still prefer round analog gages, and I also prefer a mechanical odometer that is easily read vs the popular led types that are especially hard to read in sunlight. Modern electronic dashboards do not interest me, and most just look ugly. I want to ride a machine, not a copy machine full of options.
Traction control makes me sort of laugh! a guy spends big bucks to but a super fast bike HE CANNOT EXPECT TO CONTROL so then they add a computer to dumb down the performance! Bikes have become too powerful in my opinion, and most riders would be better off learning to push the limits on a 750.
I use a Garmin GPS very often. I would not want a GPS that is built in, bikes last longer than GPS units!
Of course I appreciate the more reliable and lower maintenance we got with modern electronic ignition and fuel injection, they were installed to meet government requirements but help us consumers for the most part.
I am curious to experience one ‘new’ electronic feature, that would be lean sensitive traction control.
I am glad I can enjoy my collection of somewhat older bikes, newest is a 2013 KTM SMT. I do not feel the need for a more electronic bike and definitely I will never buy any e bike.
David Blackburn says
Stereo, GPS, proximity sensors, radar, etc. – no thanks, not interested.
ABS, and cruise control. I can see the value but I’m quite happy riding with or without them.
Ditto for EFI. Although not having to tune carbs is nice.
I suppose all these gadgets and gizmos are fine for anyone who has no interest in maintaining their own bikes, and they make it easy for ‘mechanics’ to swap out complete assemblies rather than fixing them, but I’m still happiest with analog.
Jay R Bossler says
I enjoy riding my two fuel injected Buells since I’ve recently found a race ECM for the XB12R and the X1. Nice fuel delivery. I can appreciate the electronic upgrades over the years. I also enjoy my ’94 Fatboy. The high tech item on that is the electronic ignition and a good dyno tune. Then there is the 93 inch stroker pan/shovel head I built back in the late 90’s. Old school build, two plugs per cylinder, S&S super, kick start only. Love the simplicity of it. I do not need ABS or a variety of road condition performance settings or a radio. New performance tech is good with me, within reason.
RicknRedmond says
My old airhead BumW R100 provides me with all the excitement and satisfaction I need – and I can take care of just about anything on it. Newer bikes (and certainly cars) are just too complex. I learned to ride in the ’60s when you had to how and why everything worked. What’s more, I can keep up with most any sane rider on public roads. E-bikes, I don’t think so. Maybe for ultimate performance on the race track, but I ride because I thoroughly enjoy it and love the sound of a working motor.
Bob says
Then there’s this approach…
https://thekneeslider.com/motorhead-2-0-working-in-the-garage-is-cool-again/
Michael Clark says
The last time I checked Jeep’s were the most stolen vehicles in the US , and they no longer use lock pick tools and slide-hammers now they use laptops and hack the computer , I am no fan of all the gizmo’s and bells and whistles and the infotainment center in the dash that cost more to fix than the engine and drive-train . Yea it’s neat to have all the gizmo’s but as my Father once told me ” Mike it’s just more things to break ” so my motto for my life has been ” KISS ” keep it simple stupid and now they are all can-buss which triples the amount of wiring in a vehicle so I will stick with my old school 71 D100 pickup or maybe I’ll drive the 66 Electria-Glide FLH and leave the gizmo-box on my desk .
Bob says
How many of these comments were scrivened on parchment with crowquill and ink under the light of a whale oil lamp, then dispatched to Kneeslider fortress by messenger pigeon?
Paul Crowe says
To be clear, my thoughts above are not anti-technology, they’re frustration with inappropriate technology or too much tech in motor vehicles. Touchscreens in cars are an excellent example, you can’t adjust anything by feel, you have to look at the screen. Some companies have brought back the physical push button knob and volume control to correct the crazy idea that taking your eyes off the road to make simple adjustments is OK. The adaptive cruise control in a motorcycle is another weird idea. A rider can’t remain attentive enough to adjust following distance in traffic? If riding is that boring, they should get someone else to drive.
The performance tech is a matter of taste, when it works, it’s great, but the more tech complexity, the less likely you can fix it if it breaks. Simpler is less expensive, too..
Bob says
I agree completely with that.
I can’t help but wonder if Shiny Screen Good is a result of a combination of marketing and shiny screen addiction – Must. Have. Shiny. Screen. All, The. Time! Even the local gas pumps have a shiny screen that won’t shut up and leave me alone while I fuel up. Does a few minutes more with a shiny screen make people want to buy gas there/not want to buy gas where they will have to live without a shiny screen for a few minutes?
There’s also the fact that interfaces age poorly – can’t live with outdated shiny screens, in the unlikely event they last that long…
That said, the shiny screen on my new KTM is really cool….
David says
“Even the local gas pumps have a shiny screen that won’t shut up and leave me alone while I fuel up”
Imagine an UR Quattro mid eighties,
The computer goes “Bing Bing,and in a European English voice then recites all the faults in the world . stops for 10 seconds and starts again
(There are no faults)
and then there was William Towns designed AM Lagonda
Paul says
My bike has 200hp and no rider aids, not even ABS, it’s perfect for me.
My last bike was a Ducati Supersport S, it had all the toys, ABS, TC, etc, bored me to death and impossible to fix myself.
Also I have a 2006 Harley Springer, all tech removed, except for the FI, which might go next.
Two wheels and an engine is all you need, IMHO, maybe a seat.
Alex says
I like them simple. Electronic ignition is nice. I’m still not sold on fuel injection. I’m sure it’s better. I’m also sure I don’t know how to tune it. Carbies I know. No abs, no traction control for me thank you. When it goes sideways I’ll know it was all my fault. No infotainment no Bluetooth. Tach and speedo and indicator lights are all I want in my cockpit. Owned many many motorcycles. The newest was 2002. It was ok, but it’s gone now. I think my current newest is 1987.
Doug says
Some of the tech is making drivers worse drivers. Some tech is making them better drivers (reverse cameras).
It would be interesting to see what the nader-types think of the former.
David Sakai says
I think that’s the idea: https://youtu.be/NvnJr82oULk
Gilles Mallette says
I am simple man with simple needs. As proof of it, my only motorcycle is a 1993 Ural m108. With a sidecar and reverse. No high end tech I can garanty… EvEry ride is ACTUALLY A RIDE!!!