tastie new bits from milan show

Personally I would like FBW for a few reasons
Launch Control by adjusting the throttle plate instead of goofing with ignition timing.
Cruise control that can hold a speed, not a specific engine load
Quick-shift functionality without using ignition cut tom foolery
Loss of cable - reliability I think is a wash vs a standard cable actuator, however, there is that and less weight, and 2 wires are easier to hide than a cable
The ability to program in traction control using abs sensors and FBW without any additional hardware.
Expanding the 3 tune options of Tuneboy, so you could make say "full power" an unfiltered mode, "cruise/rain" where its still capable of full power but rate of gain limiting of the throttle opening could limit how fast you can open the throttle to smooth riding out, and "rain" where you can limit max power via limiting max opening of the throttle.

These types of things are what FBW can bring to the table with little or no extra hardware for bikes.

I of course didn't know any of that but if all that can be achieved with FBW than it seems like a good thing. All I thought was it just got rid of a cable, big deal!

I had FBW on a Yam a few years back and to be honest, I didn't notice a scrap of difference.

With the exception of a quickshifter one can do all of the above using ...... the right hand.

Nev,

The old argument, ABS is not necessary because you can stop shorter without it. It's been tested, and only a highly skilled rider can do so consistently, throw in rain or anything that makes the road less gripy and the ABS bikes win hands down.

While that is FACTUALLY true, in reality, with various surfaces and in the real world with traffic, pot holes, animals, and other riders to think about plus corner speeds, gear changes, braking points etc, electronic aids help riders go faster with less work. There are obviously plenty of people who can ride without those aids, all of us on this board for example, it doesn't mean everyone wouldn't benefit from said aids. In fact, if you look at the reviews on the 2015 1000cc sportbikes, one universal truth among all the electronically aided bikes, is the reviewers feel more comfortable pushing the limits with the help of the aids, and at the end of the day I think everyone would appreciate being able to push harder with a higher margin of safety. If done right the aids are nearly invisible to the rider until you get way out over the limit.

That said, an analogue bike does have it's advantages....

Edit: 1 thing you absolutely can't with your right hand..launch control as in PIN it open hold it and pop the clutch getting a consistent and nearly optimal launch every...single...time. If it was just throttle control pro level drag racing wouldn't have 2 steps, both cars and bikes.

Edit2: I would add that these "gimicks" would be even more useful on a built rocket than on any 1000cc bike in existence, the sportbikes transmit everything to the rider, you get incredible feedback from the bike, where the rocket can numb some things out by the overwhelming feeling of torque at full power.

The new 1200 Thruxton looks interesting i think i need one

I have no argument at all against ABS on a street bike , I like it, and it is good in the vast majority of cases. I, today have just spent ALL day trying to rid an FBW Yam MT-01 of a shotgun like backfire, can't do it without spending heaps of money. And tuning a FBW Harley, which is still to be finished tomorrow. It takes twice as long to do. I can see some sense in restricting the power of a 220hp 180kg bike , but really who needs FBW on all these bloody Slow things. The Yam R1 FBW is pretty good, so our friend above could not tell the difference. By crikey you can tell the difference after it has been adjusted with the YEC software or the like, they really pull. I still struggle with the concept of buying a fast bike then having the bike tell you how to move the throttle. Surely if it is too fast ,one can open the throttle less?

I was perusing the 1200 Thruxton at my Triumph dealer the other evening. I was really impressed/pleased. Outside of ABS it's a MOTORCYCLE rather than a wet dream of a DOT administrator.

I will admit; one of the reasons I bought my R3 was because it was BASIC! A BIG motor connected to TWO wheels. 30 years ago I dreamed of 150+hp motorcycles. My dream came true; but most are strangled with 20 levels of traction control and 50 extra pounds of IT geek boneroo.

Motorcycles are a very personal thing. For those who revel in electronic gee-wizardry I say 'more power to ya'. But I'm glad an iconic brand like Triumph remembers that although all these contemporary acronyms may technically spell faster on the track or safer on the street; the real FUN factor is felt directly and unscientifically through the seat of your leathers.

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Moto Guzzi’s mad bagger

Ok, this image is way more badas# than the first photo I saw of this bike. Would love to see this thing in person. Hopefully makes it to the Chicago Bike Show in Feb!

I like the new Thurxton R, but at an estimated price of nearly £12k. I don't think it'll be happening. I think I'd buy another Rocket first.