I just ran across this in the news.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/January/january-7-13/jan0908uncrashablebmwgallery/

If you’re too lazy to follow the link, let me summarize. It’s a BMW patent (apparently Yamaha have something similar) for a system whereby the motorcycle is constructed and engine-managed in such a way that a crash is far less likely. It works by monitoring inputs and conditions and compensating if control is lost. In this case, it seems the forks can even more laterally to provide extra stability.

While I applaud ideas that can make motorcycling a safer pursuit, there is a part of me inside that recoils at the very thought, irresponsible as that may seem. It’s the same part of me that dislikes the notion of automatic gearboxes, ABS and linked brakes and that hopes traction control won’t “come as standard“ any time soon.

Let me be clear, it’s not that I want to actively make motorcycling more dangerous or that I am some sort of adrenaline seeking junkie. I just like my motorcycling as it is and to me, these sort of measures just seem like soft options. It’s yet another piece of technology that inserts itself between the rider and the machine and that robs the rider of the direct control he so craves. You only have to see how boring MotoGP is becoming to see some of the side effects. And as for cars… Have you driven one recently? Bor-ring.

Now I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t actually ridden any of these yet. Well, that’s a lie. I tried a Triumph Tiger with ABS recently, but didn’t know until I got off it so it doesn’t count. Somewhat more paradoxically, I also have a steering damper fitted to all my bikes, both on and off road, and consider that just plain sensible. I dare say if my father had ridden motorcycles, he’d have scoffed at this as being “soft“, just in the same way that his father would likely have pooh-poohed disc brakes. I could continue citing the introduction of rubber tires, suspension and even any form of brakes as further proof, but I think you understand where I’m headed with this.

At what point does the motorcycle cease to be a motorcycle? it seems to be a generational thing but then for each of us it’s different even now. The choice of what we ride varies greatly: I personally prefer sports bikes when on the road but have friends that ride supermotos, classics and cruisers. I’ve tried their bikes and know they are not for me (though the super moto is fun). It seems to me that it all comes down to choice and maybe that is what is really important. Make all the gizmos, doodads and add-ons you like. Make the bike in any weird shape and color you want (Victory, I’m looking at you) but please, give me a choice at the dealership. it gives me an excuse to own more than one bike.

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