High Tech Motorcycles

[flynrider]

I'm kind of a luddite where bike technology is concerned. I was a bit leery back in the early 80s when I bought my first bike with electronic ignition, but a few hundred thousand miles brought acceptance and appreciation. I haven't touched my dwell meter since then.

The CB1100 is my first bike with a car-like ECU and EFI. I'm pretty comfortable that these are proven technologies, even though the mass of wires snaking around the bike worry the wrencher in me. Compared to the electrical system on my old CB750, it's quite a bit more complex.

When it comes to gadgets like traction control, stability augmentation etc.., I'll pass. I don't think my riding style really require those sort of devices. Gadgets that don't provide a benefit (for me), but have a maintenance penalty are not what I'm looking for in a bike.

I've noticed a trend in cages over the years to provide more and more flashy electronic gadgets. They're impressive when you first buy the cage, but can become a real nightmare as the cage ages. I prefer my bikes to have as little gadgetry as is practical. I tend to keep vehicles til they wear out, so it makes a difference to me (My '99 Nissan pickup with hand crank windows and manual door locks still works like new).

[rboe]

First bikes were pedal start. Total loss oiling, exposed rockers, no air filter, skinny leak prone tires, hand shifted, hand ignition advance and if you had a horn you had to squeeze it. If you desired to tour on it people would consider having you committed.

It wasn't no horse.

[Obliviontoad]

The "tick tick tick" of the EFI system on the CB is a reminder to me of how little I can do to this bike as opposed to my 40year old mechanical wonders. But, in the end, I have no choke, little warm up, straight up power when needed, and aside from one dead battery episode, has never stranded me.
I don't see a new bike on the horizon for me, but I am always looking for another old bike to wrench around on. It's not nostalgia, just what I was brought up on. Feels correct in a way.

[furious_blue_imp]

Us older folk are the only ones who, if stranded on a deserted island, with enough of the right natural resources, could eventually build a running motorcycle because we've worked on them before they ever became dependent on semiconductors.
I guess the only problem is that nowadays there ARE no deserted islands, so we're useless anyhow...

[Elipten_imp]

Well I work all over the world. And a lot of it is very remote still with low educated populations. So one trip in the remote of Africa the Land Cruiser died, the 2 drivers were clueless, and the other members of the party. I checked the fuel, then spark. Found points were extremely worn. Took out a penny, rubbed it on the point surfaces for a Bit getting a copper coating, off we went. New stuff works great but my high school auto shop buddy tells me there are a lot of dead machines because cannot get the electronic modules for snow mobiles, lawn mowers and etc that are between 20 and 30 years old. Old stuff is fun and I understand, but the day is passing just like we all don't have a horse out in the shed. I bet men 100 years felt the same, they understood the horse, and not the first cars.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[furious_blue_imp]

Well I work all over the world. And a lot of it is very remote still with low educated populations. So one trip in the remote of Africa the Land Cruiser died, the 2 drivers were clueless, and the other members of the party. I checked the fuel, then spark. Found points were extremely worn. Took out a penny, rubbed it on the point surfaces for a Bit getting a copper coating, off we went. New stuff works great but my high school auto shop buddy tells me there are a lot of dead machines because cannot get the electronic modules for snow mobiles, lawn mowers and etc that are between 20 and 30 years old. Old stuff is fun and I understand, but the day is passing just like we all don't have a horse out in the shed. I bet men 100 years felt the same, they understood the horse, and not the first cars.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I hope all attendees were suitably impressed !

While it was good to know about the old machines, I will admit that I do not miss AT ALL, having to kneel down every 3,000 miles with a file and a screwdriver to make my offering to the breaker point gods.

[Elipten_imp]

You bet, I like the old but electronics, and FI are great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[redbirds_imp]

I don't miss breaker points or carbs. Modern ignition systems and FI give us cleaner running motors with more power and better fuel mileage. What's not to like?

However, the ability to repair the older systems with simple tools, even at the roadside, was a plus. In an area of the World where access to service and parts was limited or unavailable, I would prefer the old systems knowing I could do the repair without need of specialized parts or test equipment.

[Elipten_imp]

+1


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[shdwghst457_imp]

Well on the note of bikes and modern technology, I revived a relatively abandoned 2011 CBR1000RR this past weekend. Just needed a battery, air in the tires, and someone determined to get it to fire once it had power. A carbureted bike would have needed a bit more attention.

Now, coming from the Shadow 750, the CB1100 is a massively powerful bike, much more capable of lifting the front wheel than said Shadow. That said, the CBR is simply bat sh*t crazy. While I enjoyed riding it briefly, I could never imagine owning one, and the insurance was 12x higher than for the CB, but I realize now that just because our beloved has an 1140cc 4 cylinder doesn't mean it has anything on modern literbikes. I now know how overpowered the CB1100 isn't!