Power Mode Button

[Berlin]

So what am I missing here.

Various manufactuers are now adding these to their bikes to reduce the power available.

Now I thought all bikes were fitted with those as standard... called a twist grip.

Instead of pushing a putton to reduce the power by 20%, why not just erm.... Twist the throttle less?

If you don't want 140BHP, then don't wind the throttle all the way. If you don't want huge accelleration, use a higher gear.

If a bike produces 50BHP at 5000 RPM, and you want 50BHP, then riding at 5000 RPM would surely solve the problem?

Is this a gadget purely so the ham fisted don't kill themselves or do I not understand the system?

C

[Frank]

some people are that stupid ,they have to be reminded to take a breath.They will buy anything if it has a "gaget" on it

[fizzwheel]

Its a gimmick.

[Viney]

Its a gimmick.Maybe so, but we all want one :)

My mates BKing has one, and he says the bike does ride different in the different modes, The 'softer one' makes the bike a lot less agressive in the wet.

[sinbad]

That's right, it doesn't just reduce peak power, it softens the delivery across the rev range, which indirectly can mean that the sportiest setting can be even more sporty than perhaps it might have been when it was the only setting, because that 1 setting has to be usable on the road in all conditions.

So perhaps not completely necessary, but not pointless.

[SoulKiss]

As I understand it, the Power Button on the B-King actually changes the ECU to a different map.

So I would like to think that it makes a difference :)

Now if only those maps can be changed on a dyno, one map for "economy" and one for "loony" please :)

[Berlin]

Surely twisting less also softens the power delivery over the rev range?
:confused:

[fizzwheel]

Maybe so, but we all want one :)

I dont ;)

[Baph]

Surely twisting less also softens the power delivery over the rev range?
:confused:

No, it just doesn't raise the rev's as quickly.

On snow/ice, I can see the benefit. Even the SV with it's lowly 70bhp on show gets very twitchy. If the rear twitches, it's very easy to catch the throttle & give it a good yank - which is just what you don't want to do.

Grabbing a fist full of throttle on a less powerful map could mean that the differing maps is beneficial.

In the wet, it's just a gimmick that I'd leave on full power though.

[fizzwheel]

Grabbing a fist full of throttle on a less powerful map could mean that the differing maps is beneficial.

Yes but wouldnt it be better to no "grab a fist full of throttle" in the first place ?

[Dave20046]

Or not go out in the snow :razz: I've learnt that the hard way lol

[Baph]

Yes but wouldnt it be better to no "grab a fist full of throttle" in the first place ?

When the bike is slipping & sliding on a poor surface (as I said, snow) I've found that just by holding on, I yanked the throttle. Luckily I was slipping the clutch at the time (but then comes the argument of clutch wear etc).

As for not going out in snow, some people have no choice. For example, if your bike is your only form of transport, and you work for Ed. :D

[Dave20046]

lol!

[Davie]

I've got one but never used it its just a gimmick

[kwak zzr]

i think its a good idea, Ive spun up the rear in the wet by accident and nearly poooood myself :) taming the beast in bad conditions is a good thing, didn't this come down from moto GP? and they know how to twist the throttle.

[fizzwheel]

i think its a good idea, Ive spun up the rear in the wet by accident and nearly poooood myself :) taming the beast in bad conditions is a good thing

But... I learnt to that myself, part of riding for me is to work on my riding skills, one of which is throttle control in the wet or slippery conditions.

I've done the same I spun up the rear in the wet and also again on a cold day. I soon learnt what caused it, what to do and what not to do.

Hence why I dont want a power map button, because it takes away my control over aspects of my riding and TBH I'd just leave it in full power mode all the time and control the throttle myself.

[punyXpress]

Just a thought:
How about one that UPS the power by 20% ?
Or have I missed the point of this thread?

[SoulKiss]

Just a thought:
How about one that UPS the power by 20% ?
Or have I missed the point of this thread?

Yes.

You should use the search and look for the thread which tells you how to change your power-band and which colour of band would suit how you ride.

[Dave20046]

Yes.

You should use the search and look for the thread which tells you how to change your power-band and which colour of band would suit how you ride.
not if he's got carbs :D

[sinbad]

But... I learnt to that myself, part of riding for me is to work on my riding skills, one of which is throttle control in the wet or slippery conditions.

I've done the same I spun up the rear in the wet and also again on a cold day. I soon learnt what caused it, what to do and what not to do.

Hence why I dont want a power map button, because it takes away my control over aspects of my riding and TBH I'd just leave it in full power mode all the time and control the throttle myself.

Some people are against ABS for similar reasons, there's just a touch of vanity about it ;). Would using a softer map on a 185bhp bike in the pouring rain really make you feel like a lesser rider? :)

If I had a 170bhp motorcycle with mapping options, I would use whichever I felt suited the conditions best. It's something which basically comes from racing if you need further justification for it. There's usually a "soft" option which just affects delivery at lower rpm whilst still allowing full power at the top end on road bikes with this feature, just as they would use in wet conditions in moto GP. And racers have a far more predictable surface to contend with, and suspension and tyre changes to suit too of course.

Plus, as I said before, if it means the "full" mode can be made that bit more dry biased and harder then surely it's worth having?

[ThEGr33k]

Tis the bike manufacturers trying to look like they are helping make bikes that little bit safer... At least thats what I guess... What else can it be :-?

[fizzwheel]

Would using a softer map on a 185bhp bike in the pouring rain really make you feel like a lesser rider? :)

If I wanted a bike that was easier to ride in the wet I wouldnt buy a bike that put out 185bhp in the first place ;)

Besides I've got an infinately variable power map already, its called my right wrist.

[sinbad]

If I wanted a bike that was easier to ride in the wet I wouldnt buy a bike that put out 185bhp in the first place ;)

Besides I've got an infinately variable power map already, its called my right wrist.

We all have that, but it's not the same thing at all. The softer map is different, it could quite conceivably make the bike quicker in the right hands and the right conditions.

Why would you want to ride a bike that is not as suited to the conditions as it could be just to prove a point (to yourself)? That'd be like fitting dry tyres, a dry suspension setup, super-quick action throttle, and then riding in all conditions simply because you have this need to prove that you can do it.

[punyXpress]

not if he's got carbs :D
Or a yellow stripe down his back?
8u99er - that's me we're talking about!

[fizzwheel]

simply because you have this need to prove that you can do it.

Thats exactly why. I might be completely bonkers, but hey there you go...

[Ceri JC]

People want the kudos of riding a litre sportsbike without (all of) the power? :)

[STRAMASHER]

People want the kudos of riding a litre sportsbike without (all of) the power? :)


Suzuki in their infinite wizdumb have put this gadget on their 600 gixxer this year? WTF?:shock:

If you are spinning up in the wet and don't like it, use less throttle. :rolleyes:

.....or do what most "superbikers" do and keep it in the garage when the sun ain't out. :p

[Dicky Ticker]

Just something else to go wrong

[BanditPat]

I've on the 600 gixxer the softest setting reduces the bikes power output to 33bhp which is perfect for a new rider ;-)

[Berlin]

So If I've got this right, the softer settings allow for a greater range of movement in the throttle for the same power.

... now that I can see a reason for. Instead of 80hp coming from 1mm of throttle rotation it is spread over [say] 5mm of rotation. A "Much finer control" button if you will.

But if the bottom end is held back and the top end is the same, somewhere up the revs its going to come in with one hell of a rush!

C

[sinbad]

So If I've got this right, the softer settings allow for a greater range of movement in the throttle for the same power.

... now that I can see a reason for. Instead of 80hp coming from 1mm of throttle rotation it is spread over [say] 5mm of rotation. A "Much finer control" button if you will.

But if the bottom end is held back and the top end is the same, somewhere up the revs its going to come in with one hell of a rush!

C

But only if you have the throttle cracked open.

Just reading about the new KTM RC8 R in BIKE magazine. It comes with a track throttle tube and a road throttle tube, which are interchangable. The road throttle is slower and uses a cam shaped pulley, so it offers a greater degree of control at smaller throttle openings, opening a gentler rate, whilst the track throttle (which offers no more power of course) is more linear and as aggressive as a good rider would want it to be.

Because it has two, it doesn't have to compromise. Surely a good thing.

[sauluk]

all a bit negative on this, I like gadgets and reckon it's alright, just from the perspective that you can gradually move up the groups, start off on low then make your way up. Would certainly save me wanting a new bike every 3 months. Sure there's always the 'don't twist your wrist as much attitude' but there'd always be the temptation to really.

Bit like introducing a traction control button on a car, hell the Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale has 3 power settings, you could always say that you can just drive to match the conditions but it wouldn't be the same as being physically restricted.

Berlin, you've got it there, it would prevent an overly sensitive throttle on a litre sports bike in the rain as the power curve would be shifted down throughout the rev range I'd assume.

[Rich]

Your not missing out on anything, i've got it on the 600, used it once and thought what b0llocks. It's on A mode and it'll stay there.. It didn't even improve the mpg in C mode yet it felt like i was on a 125!!! I can understand perhaps on the thou's but even then you know what our getting into when buying one. It would make more sense to have them on sports tourers i think, Wet mode (cuts power to prevent wheel spin), touring mode (improved MPG but still spritely, better for longer rides) and sport mode (Full fat mode, one big kick in the nuts) :-D

[fizzwheel]

Just reading about the new KTM RC8 R in BIKE magazine. It comes with a track throttle tube and a road throttle tube, which are interchangable. The road throttle is slower and uses a cam shaped pulley, so it offers a greater degree of control at smaller throttle openings, opening a gentler rate, whilst the track throttle (which offers no more power of course) is more linear and as aggressive as a good rider would want it to be.

Because it has two, it doesn't have to compromise. Surely a good thing.

I'd much rather have something like that

[pawl]

in effect, you could possibly relate it with what has already been mentioned, ABS. a bike fitted with ABS is more beneficial in the wet/snow, personal preferences aside! and what one person says about the wrist could be said about the brakes.
not intentionaly throwing a spanner in the works here but the way i read the original post was that there was a hint towards limiting? my opinion is it is a helpful gimmick.

maybe start suggestions of switch settings!

1. tame

2. savage

he he

[Haluk]

If I wanted a bike that was easier to ride in the wet I wouldnt buy a bike that put out 185bhp in the first place ;)

Besides I've got an infinately variable power map already, its called my right wrist.

I agree. People can always get a 125cc for wet roads or snow riding.

I don't think gadgets like this can make up for the lack of experience in new or rusty riders, plus they give garages additional excuse to charge some £50 more with every service.

[_Stretchie_]

Hmm, a bit like having an ignore function on a forum eh??

OR, shock horror, you could just not read something/not reply to something you don't like...

I'm just waiting for someone to invent a 'power assisted fork' that actually clamps onto your jaw and makes you chew your food without you actually having to do the work yourself thus saving me a whole jule of energy









Bad day at work... But still a valid point I think