Motorcycle Fundamentals vs Luxury Features
-
Grey Thumper
- Legendary 1000
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:21 pm
- Real Name: Dino
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 9
- My Motorcycle: 2004 BMW R1150Rockster, 2015 BMW R1200GS
- Location: Manila, Philippines
Re: Motorcycle Fundamentals vs Luxury Features
Well, Mike's OP was about luxury items that were mainly electrical; windshield, suspension, etc. I find that stuff more bothersome than they're worth. Electrification just adds complexity and an unpredictable point of failure, and makes you less independent (ie, less able to solve problems yourself and more reliant on a dealer or shop). I think saddlebags and regular windshields are purely functional and truly useful, not luxuries.
"If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be."
-
totalmotorcycle
- Administrator
- Posts: 30002
- Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:00 pm
- Real Name: Mike
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Re: Motorcycle Fundamentals vs Luxury Features
Good point about windshields and bags not being luxuries. 
I agree with you as well on the "Electrification just adds complexity and an unpredictable point of failure". My 1982 Yamaha Seca 650R can attest to many electrical troubles when I owned it for 4/5 years as it was 24 years old. I couldn't imagine if it was a more complex bike it would be running at all. (too hard to trouble shoot or fix). Simplicity saved the Seca. (and anyone who has troubleshooted electrical issues, they are rarely simple).
Mike
I agree with you as well on the "Electrification just adds complexity and an unpredictable point of failure". My 1982 Yamaha Seca 650R can attest to many electrical troubles when I owned it for 4/5 years as it was 24 years old. I couldn't imagine if it was a more complex bike it would be running at all. (too hard to trouble shoot or fix). Simplicity saved the Seca. (and anyone who has troubleshooted electrical issues, they are rarely simple).
Mike
NEW 2025 Motorcycle Model Guides
2024 Motorcycle Model Guides
Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Brammo, Buell, Can-Am, CCW, Ducati, EBR, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, LiveWire, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.
2024 Motorcycle Model Guides
Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Brammo, Buell, Can-Am, CCW, Ducati, EBR, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, LiveWire, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.