KTM is toying with Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think I would ever use these! The adaptive cruise control would be nice just so you don't have to adjust it when you get caught behind a slow car but blind spots on a motorcycle? How absurd, turn your head people. Even if I had this feature I would probably still be looking over my shoulder before changing lanes.
How do you feel about these assisted riding features? Would you trust them in rush hour traffic?
Like most safety nets on a motorcycle, the first time manufacturers introduce them, it is resisted by puritans. Gradually it becomes the new normal and a couple of decades later, people wonder how was it possible to ride without them.
Two examples. First. Every youngster getting into motorcycling today WANT ABS and TC. They believe it is essential to riding. A decade back no one considered them essentials. One learnt to ride a bike without them, simple! Now people won't buy a bike without these two.
Second. Check out a vintage bike. The throttle would be controlled by one hand while the other hand would control the ignition timing. When you accelerated you increased the ignition timing and vice versa. This was a constant process as one rode. Imagine what the rider's of the time would have thought when CDIs were introduced. Sissies :D
Cruise control works in USA mostly. In other countries of the world, you get corners to carve :D There aren't very many flat, straight open highways devoid of traffic in most of the world for cruise control to be a necessity.
My head is on a permanent swivel while riding. Left over shoulder, left mirror, straight, right mirror, right over shoulder, the eyes keep scanning even on seemingly empty roads. But I can see a safety feature which reduces blind spots gaining traction in the motorcycling world.
Yeah I like the cruise control, I could see that being useful. I guess I feel like blind spots are a non issue because I'm always looking over my shoulders anyway.
I've never had ABS or TC :D