Simon Crafar on electronic assistance

[onearmedbandit]

Yup it's essentially an ad for the new GSXR thou, and some may say it's making excuses for the lack of electronic intervention on the new bike. But I think the message behind it is a good one.

[sil3nt]

The sooner motogp and wsbk get rid of TC the better.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. But I think the message behind it is a good one.

Me too. Fuck traction control. If you can't control a GSXR1000, don't buy one.

[HenryDorsetCase]

but the point is any munter with $20k and my skill level can (and do) buy those bikes. And 200hp near enough at the rear wheel if you arent Crafar-good is a liability nightmare.

My question is: is he related to the Crafars of Crafar farms (in)famy? He'd have to be, right?

[Crasherfromwayback]

but the point is any munter with $20k and my skill level can (and do) buy those bikes. And 200hp near enough at the rear wheel if you arent Crafar-good is a liability nightmare.

My question is: is he related to the Crafars of Crafar farms (in)famy? He'd have to be, right?

Not really mate. A GSXR1000 is actually a pussy cat until you try and ride it in anger. Then it gets 'interesting'.

I would doubt it.

[5150]

A GSXR1000 is actually a pussy cat until you try and ride it in anger. Then it gets 'interesting'.

I think the issue is trying to explain that to a 250cc learner (Rossi/Stoner wannabe)

Especially when as soon as they pick up a full license in their hot little hand and immidately go to a dealer and want to purchase a Litre sports bike without giving any thought to the consequences of the hp and torque difference.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I think the issue is trying to explain that to a 250cc learner (Rossi/Stoner wannabe)

Especially when as soon as they pick up a full license in their hot little hand and immidately go to a dealer and want to purchase a Litre sports bike without giving any thought to the consequences of the hp and torque difference.

I hear ya. I had to take one for ride on the back of a GSXR1000 once to 'illustrate' what I was getting at.

Wasn't so keen then.

[Zedder]

Thanks for that onearmedbandit.

The "mind behind the throttle" is where its at.

[george formby]

I think the issue is trying to explain that to a 250cc learner (Rossi/Stoner wannabe)

Especially when as soon as they pick up a full license in their hot little hand and immidately go to a dealer and want to purchase a Litre sports bike without giving any thought to the consequences of the hp and torque difference.

Or an empty nester with cash to burn wanting to relive their yoof. I've had a crack on a Fireblade & yeah, no, no thanks. I was laying skidmarks in 3rd & had to wear the same pair of undies for the whole day.

[GrayWolf]

but the point is any munter with $20k and my skill level can (and do) buy those bikes. And 200hp near enough at the rear wheel if you arent Crafar-good is a liability nightmare.

Not really mate. A GSXR1000 is actually a pussy cat until you try and ride it in anger. Then it gets 'interesting'..

I think the issue is trying to explain that to a 250cc learner (Rossi/Stoner wannabe)

Especially when as soon as they pick up a full license in their hot little hand and immidately go to a dealer and want to purchase a Litre sports bike without giving any thought to the consequences of the hp and torque difference.

These three posts are exactly why there should be a stepped licence system in place (as in Europe) HDC is correct we all know and many of us did/have, leapt from 250 to 1000cc. I will say this again.. the 1000cc rockets of my day are slower than a modern 600cc. The bikes have evolved but the loon holding the throttle is still the same one as when I was a teenager. The Human being evolves over thousands of years not a few decades. The bikes (1litre+) are now faster than we can react in a reasonable fashion.

GSX1000 etc may well be a 'pussy' untill used in anger... again that depends on the loon on the throttle... and lets be honest its IS the "I want this years model as its 2 kilo lighter and 1.5 HP more powerful" testosterone and ego driven brigade, that keep the sales of sprot bikes rocking along. I agree about losing TC etc from vehicles ALL vehicles.. lets be honest they may well save your life... HOWEVER it also encourages a mental attitude of... do what ever ya like, the computer will sort it out for you.
The only way to prevent learners from leaping onto high power machines IS to legislate with licence (power/cc) stepping.

[Oblivion]

If you can't ride a motorcycle without all of these fancy electronic aids helping you, then something is seriously wrong. Electronic aids on a motorcycle cant save you from your own stupidity.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. The bikes (1litre+) are now faster than we can react in a reasonable fashion.

GSX1000 etc may well be a 'pussy' untill used in anger... again that depends on the loon on the throttle... and lets be honest its IS the "I want this years model as its 2 kilo lighter and 1.5 HP more powerful" testosterone and ego driven brigade, that keep the sales of sprot bikes rocking along. .

While that may well be so...the old bikes weighed as fucking ton and took forever to stop. I went from my KR250 tandem twin to a near new GPZ1100 uni track. 12HP in the day, and 10 sec 1/4 miles. So still a reasonably fast bike. But it had sngle piston sliding calipers on non floating discs, and weighed 255kgs DRY!. It had a hinge in the middle of the frame.

So it's all relative. In a lot of ways, the new ones are considerably safer comapred to back in the day.

[Crasherfromwayback]

If you can't ride a motorcycle without all of these fancy electronic aids helping you, then something is seriously wrong. Electronic aids on a motorcycle cant save you from your own stupidity.

Correct!!!!

[bogan]

If you can't ride a motorcycle without all of these fancy electronic aids helping you, then something is seriously wrong. Electronic aids on a motorcycle cant save you from your own stupidity.

Funny you should say that, cos isn't that the whole idea behind traction control? "Stupid rider want to put how much torque down now don't be silly!"

The problem with rider/driver aids, is they are generally treated with ignorance, relying on TC to save your ass in more and more situations while ignoring that it has to do so, will lead to a big accident! Its an aid, learn to work with it. You wouldn't ride a modern thou on 40 year old tyre technology, why make such a big deal about other traction aids?

[GrayWolf]

While that may well be so...the old bikes weighed as fucking ton and took forever to stop. I went from my KR250 tandem twin to a near new GPZ1100 uni track. 12HP in the day, and 10 sec 1/4 miles. So still a reasonably fast bike. But it had sngle piston sliding calipers on non floating discs, and weighed 255kgs DRY!. It had a hinge in the middle of the frame.

So it's all relative. In a lot of ways, the new ones are considerably safer comapred to back in the day.

Some modern bikes are just as heavy as that GPZ1100 unitrack. Some are heavier and considerably faster. 12hp?? Errr 120hp, haha!!
And mate I had big Zeds back then and I will challenge proof of a 10 second 1/4 with a standard bike,,, that is claiming quicker than a V max over the strip,,, and a GPZ1100 was not quicker than my ZX10 or the ZL1000 eliminator after it. and the ZL was high 10's.< and slower over the 1/4 than a Max, but quicker to 50mph (V boost cut in then).
The FJ1200 sitting in my garage is 'comparable' for weight (heavier actually) and power.. that's a low 11's standing 1/4 and I think the GSX1100E/F air oil cooled was around 11.2 ish
As for a hinged frame?? After an H1-500a... NOTHING has a hinge

yes I agree the bikes themselves may be 'safer' for frame/brake/tyre etc technology.. but as I pointed out the loon on the throttle hasn't changed, which goes a long way to mitigating those improvements.. and the increases in top speed and acceleration kind of mitigate the rest.