What do you think about the riding modes? Do you find them useful?

[Einar]

On the Rocket I find them of limited utility. I basically alternate between Sport for nearly everything and Rain for snow, ice, and rain.

On the Tiger, where ride modes also include a wide range of suspension damping, and offroad is a serious consideration, they're much more useful.

 

[Dr.D]

Sport mostly and occasionally custom/tc off. I have used rain a few times in poor traction conditions. It is nice to have choices but I leave it in sport.

 

[edgeofsanity]

Does custom truly shut off traction control? Or is it just dialed all the way down? Sport mode from day 1 for me. Haven't tried custom yet...but I'd have to admit the traction control most likely saved me the over day coming out of a turn too happy on the throttle

 

[Kiwicol]

The modes can be adjusted to how you want - within reason, you can't have traction control off in rain mode etc, but yep in Custom TC is off as std from what I believe.

 

[Journeyman]

Sport + Penner ALL the time. Switch to rain mode when raining IF I remember (rarely) to do so.

 

[Lemieuxfan]

that is what is awesome of the original Rockets in my view, no tablet on handlebars, no tracking device to spy on the rider, and no riding modes!

 

[Ward]

Well I guess most on this forum must be "Riding Gods" and would never admit to using anything other than Sport Mode. Personally, I love Rain mode when in a lot of city traffic as It makes the throttle response very smooth and is a lot easier to ride in traffic or bad weather. In traffic, road or sport mode seems to have quite a snatchy throttle response and it's soooo much smoother and enjoyable in Rain mode. When you get out on a clear road or the weather improves, hey - sport mode all the way ! - see, two bikes for the price of one !

 

[pica]

I just stay far away from city traffic....

 

[Kiwicol]

Well I guess most on this forum must be "Riding Gods" and would never admit to using anything other than Sport Mode. Personally, I love Rain mode when in a lot of city traffic as It makes the throttle response very smooth and is a lot easier to ride in traffic or bad weather. In traffic, road or sport mode seems to have quite a snatchy throttle response and it's soooo much smoother and enjoyable in Rain mode. When you get out on a clear road or the weather improves, hey - sport mode all the way ! - see, two bikes for the price of one !

I've been called a lot of things in my life, but this is a first 'Riding God' LOL!! Thanks, but yeah, I'm not that for sure. I can appreciate what you say about snatchy / twitchy at low speed, however, I think it all depends on where one rides. I live in a very small town with basically no traffic. Not 1 traffic light in the town either. I leave home & within 1 or 2 minutes I'm on open roads. The times I get behind someone dawdling along going to the shops I do notice the twitchy throttle, but it's not worth changing modes for 1-2 minutes.
Next time I go to the city & take the bike, I'll try & remember your tip about using Rain Mode in heavy traffic. I can see how that would work out & be a better riding experience. Good tip Ward, thanks.