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Not every advancement is bad. Fred Flintstone finally traded up to rubber tires. There have been good technological advancements since we were chucking rocks at a T-rex. :upset:

I'm not talking about comfort or efficiency. Advancements like fuel injection aren't intrusive. I don't want to be the car right behind the one that fully brakes without driver input (and leaves 400 yards to the obstacle:upset:) BANG. Wake up in the ER, again. And it's probably my "fault".

I want... I NEED... it to be predictable and do exactly what I tell it too. If you are trusting the ECM to save your life, what happens when the human who programmed it isn't perfect? It will be a generation of riders who only know how to pin the throttle, mash the brake lever, and ride way above their skillset until that inevitable day when something in this big bad world does something the program doesn't expect.

Of course good advanced ABS/ traction control is better than me, better than you, but for those specific things only and totally not the point. What if I need to unexpectedly slide it a bit and I am denied by the program?? Taking that control away from me is what I fear.
 
Moto Gp bikes, high class race/supercars, Military aircraft are all near uncontrollable without their "driver, rider, or pilot assist" computers. Most tech. advancements, race or military, eventually make the way to the main stream market. Cars are more safe than they were and bikes are too (technically). Sure its better to know how to drive it without the help, but it makes it safer for those who can't and those they might crash into. TOTALLY agree that is breeding stupidity, but whateryagonnadoabotit?
 
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For street consumer use I agree that statistically ABS saves lives, but does traction control? Not so sure.
Does a computer controlled suspension, does it save lives? Would really like to research and find the statistics.
 
Tbone said:
For street consumer use I agree that statistically ABS saves lives, but does traction control? Not so sure.
Does a computer controlled suspension, does it save lives? Would really like to research and find the statistics.
Click to expand...

I'll surely agree comp. controlled suspension does not add any safety! Neither does the stupid multiple ride modes like "urban, tour, and race" The diavel we had here @ work for a while had that BS and in Urban it dropped like 50hp? and the traction control was super strong. If a guy got used to that and switched er to race it'd be down right dangerous! Automotive stability control i believe at least prevents crashes, might actually promote fatal accidents though as people tend to think they can drive much faster in poor weather conditions than they really should. When they do finally out do the stability control its a very bad wreck! Actually fixed a "platinum package" 2016 escalade, that stickered for 90k or so. the driver thought he could do 95 in the pouring rain, pulling a trailer, until the sway control and the stability control couldn't compensate any longer. He got lucky with only 20k in damage!
 
"Automotive stability control i believe at least prevents crashes, might actually promote fatal accidents though as people tend to think they can drive much faster in poor weather conditions than they really should. When they do finally out do the stability control its a very bad wreck!"

That is exactly how I feel about it:upset:

A rider/driver who depends on traction control or ABS intervening to save them, may get away with playing above their skill level, but if the programming doesn't work perfectly for every conceivable set of parameters in the whole world every single time, it's gonna bite.

It may be extreme but I feel the same about 'ride control' too. Purposely changing how the same bike rides and handles day to day? Unless you're just gonna sit on the seat and putter down the highway in nice weather (some do.) I couldn't adapt that fast.
 
If I was planning a trip to Alaska, I'd go one of two routes:
1. I'd find a well taken care of F800 BMW(I think that's their entry level dual sport)
Or
2. I'd find a nice KLR, DR or XR single dualsport!

I'd stick to as many fire roads as possible and have an epic trip!
Unless you have support vehicles in tow I think a massive 1200 adventure bike is total over kill. If you need help biking up your bike, it's too much bike! And last thing you want is issues finding parts if and when you do break something.

A friend of mine road from California to Argentina on an 86 BMW R90(think I got that model right). He only had one issue with his bike the entire trip(starter) and it was one he knew he'd have to deal with, so he was prepared for it. Biggest mod he made to his bike was upgrading the suspension front and rear to handle his gear and the terrain.

Also, I'd pack as light as possible!
 
Chicknstripn said:
If I was planning a trip to Alaska, I'd go one of two routes:
1. I'd find a well taken care of F800 BMW(I think that's their entry level dual sport)
Or
2. I'd find a nice KLR, DR or XR single dualsport!

I'd stick to as many fire roads as possible and have an epic trip!
Unless you have support vehicles in tow I think a massive 1200 adventure bike is total over kill. If you need help biking up your bike, it's too much bike! And last thing you want is issues finding parts if and when you do break something.

A friend of mine road from California to Argentina on an 86 BMW R90(think I got that model right). He only had one issue with his bike the entire trip(starter) and it was one he knew he'd have to deal with, so he was prepared for it. Biggest mod he made to his bike was upgrading the suspension front and rear to handle his gear and the terrain.

Also, I'd pack as light as possible!
Click to expand...

I think that's good advice. I've been looking at this bike
https://omaha.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2008-klr-650-endure/6364806669.html

for me even though I won't be taking the trip with my friend I'd like to get into a little dual sport stuff. And I'm not willing to trash my Ulysses. Convincing my friend he doesn't need a 500lb+ 150 horse monster will be difficult
 
That would be a great bike to do an Alaska trip however, of your not going, I would look for 250 to 400cc bike but, I'll add one thing. I talked to a really lifelong good rider and he said the Honda African twin was like riding his 400cc dual sport and, the Honda is 1000cc's !
 
I've been dreaming over new adventure bikes on and off now, since my friend brought up this whole adventure trip idea. Really loving the Triumph by the numbers @ least, but don't know much about the bikes or the company myself. I think the 1200 explorer looks pretty damn cool too!
maxresdefault.jpg
 
I would be looking for a "LOW" model of course. Most of the other adv. bikes don't even offer a factory low bike! BMW will sell you a standard bike @ full price and then you have to buy the lowering bits and seat! I can't even get my leg over the KTM (all the sales staff @ the dealer thought that was fun to watch) LOL. Ducati has a 35" ish seat height!!! who can ride that?!?!?

The only poor marks I've heard on the Triumph is its weight. Its about 100lbs heavier than my Ulysses! Anyone have any British bike experience? Good or bad...
 
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cody: they look great on paper but continue to battle occasional seal leaks...charging system problems....and random electrical gremlins. the nationwide dealer support apparatus is non-existent in many parts of the country and IMO, next to the legendary Suzuki Madura 1200....the explorer is the ugliest thing i've ever seen in person. which leads you and i back to a brief conversation from this past fall: Suzuki V-Strom 1200 adventure. there is NOTHING it does not do extremely well.
 
I thought you'd have the skinny on triumphs john! Lol. Thank you for the heads up. The only reason I can't get into the Suzuki is that (to me ) it just doesn't look gnarly and tough like the others. Although the 2018 is better in that respect (imo). I know, beemers and the triumph are actually strange and grotesque looking, but I like a bit of that utilitarian, function first kinda stuff. More dreaming and research for me then. I'm sure there are ways to toughen up the zuki's looks.

Btw John, you know how us young fellas never listen, right! JK
 
Here you go,

https://www.tiger-explorer.com/?action=forum

I have one, 2013, 1215cc, great bike but not for going off road, I'd rather have John's bike for that or my Buell. It's fast, way faster than the Ulysses. Very intricate engine, lots of moving parts, top heavy but it disappears once your moving, if you drop it, hope someone is around to help you pick it up. It's one hundred pounds heavier partly because of the engine but mostly because of the drive shaft. Routine maintenance is pretty easy and far between having doing it.
 
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Don't do it! Friend of mine had a computer malfunction, locked up the suspension to full rigid, as well as lost his linked anti-lock brakes. This was a major factor in his crash, which totaled the bike and injured him severely. This was last year on his brand new 2017 Tiger Explorer, that he received after his 2013 Tiger Explorer engine blew up. I would Not recommend a Triumph after what my friend went through, and the support he received from Triumph on his brand new bike. I do like the way the Triumph's look , ride, and the engines performance. I own a 2007 Tiger which was the first year for a 1050 Tiger, Great bike except all Tigers that year had cast pistons notorious for cracking and some believe it is caused by ethanol fuel with the factory fuel map? I can pick up my Tiger or Buell by myself after falling off and having a good charlie horse on one of my legs, they both weigh about 450lbs. The 07 Tiger 1050 is in the top 5 fastest produced adventure bikes, better riders than me on it, or on a 1200 Tiger have not been able to drop me while I am on my Uly.
 
And that my friends is my point in the car thread about electronic driver "aids". They do so much, but dang that sucks.

I've had several Triumphs and really loved the street triple and speed triple. Sweet engine and buttery trans! Fuel injected and ran very well, but no other nannies...
 
Tbone said:
Don't do it! Friend of mine had a computer malfunction, locked up the suspension to full rigid, as well as lost his linked anti-lock brakes. This was a major factor in his crash, which totaled the bike and injured him severely. This was last year on his brand new 2017 Tiger Explorer, that he received after his 2013 Tiger Explorer engine blew up. I would Not recommend a Triumph after what my friend went through, and the support he received from Triumph on his brand new bike. I do like the way the Triumph's look , ride, and the engines performance. I own a 2007 Tiger which was the first year for a 1050 Tiger, Great bike except all Tigers that year had cast pistons notorious for cracking and some believe it is caused by ethanol fuel with the factory fuel map? I can pick up my Tiger or Buell by myself after falling off and having a good charlie horse on one of my legs, they both weigh about 450lbs. The 07 Tiger 1050 is in the top 5 fastest produced adventure bikes, better riders than me on it, or on a 1200 Tiger have not been able to drop me while I am on my Uly.
Click to expand...

thats crazy terrifying! i was thinking i'd read you could option the tiger without the electro suspension still, but maybe that was an older model... I have no desire to be able to have the computer run my suspension... everything i need to adjust eh Uly's suspension fits neatly under my seat just like a ecm LOL. (i have an STT rear shock so I've got to use the spanner) Thank you as well for the words of warning.

Here you go,

https://www.tiger-explorer.com/?action=forum

I have one, 2013, 1215cc, great bike but not for going off road, I'd rather have John's bike for that or my Buell. It's fast, way faster than the Ulysses. Very intricate engine, lots of moving parts, top heavy but it disappears once your moving, if you drop it, hope someone is around to help you pick it up. It's one hundred pounds heavier partly because EOF the engine but mostly because of the drive shaft. Routine maintenance is pretty easy and far between having doing it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the forum link I'll have to do some lurking over there. I think i could handle the weight OK as long as i had the bike low enough and being faster than my Uly sounds NICE !

My desire is to get a bike for gravel roads, dirt roads, farm drives, the kind of stuff that most bikes can handle pretty easily. I'm not planning on anything really dirt bike oriented. I'm in no rush to jump into another bike anyway so plenty of time to research. I think i will try and ride a Zuki and (just because I'm curious) the Triumph this summer. and like you said NJloco, there's always the Ulysses.
 

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