Weekly Motorcycle Discussion: How Much Tech is Too Much on a Motorcycle?
This weeks Discussion Topic was inspired (perhaps Stolen is more accurate) from the Road Reality Channel. Watch the Original …
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February 26, 2026
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I appreciate the new techy stuff for sure. I'm waiting for the option of a built in camera for a motorcycle 😂😂
Yooo that outro is fancy work! For me, I’m all for tech (says the guy on a sportster). Gotta keep innovating and pushing the envelope.
Great topic brother. I ride because I want to, and I share because everyone should have a chance to see why. Be well sir.
I like to ride my motorcycle. I don’t want my motorcycle to give me a ride.
I appreciate the new stuff. Anything that can make the ride safer or better I am all in brother!!
I think tech that enhances the overall safety of a rider is a good thing. For example, ABS. Start putting too many toggles and buttons on a bike, then it could become a distraction trying to flip through them. I have noticed that just with the toggle on my Road King. Just have to remember not to let your eyes come off the road too long. I don’t use a radio or navigation or anything, so maybe I would fall into the middle part of this topic.
I'm all for all the tech, but what I hate is that they now no longer allow us to fully turn it off. We should be given a one button push to turn it all off, and options to turn parts off to get the bikes being bikes again. By making it so hard to do, it will encourage people to remove the tech, which could cause more issues than not having it in the first place. We need the right to choose!
The Spyders are filled with so much tech. I wish some of it could be put on a toggle switch, like the traction control. The semi-auto shifting is great though. No lift, no clutch, just hit the paddle and go.
I think a lot of the tech is pretty cool, but I wouldn't buy a bike based solely on the tech it comes with. Except maybe fuel injection, gotta have fuel injection. 😄
If the vehicle drives for you, I would think that the tech is to much, unless of course that you have a disability that keeps you from operating safely without it. If the tech is something that will become outdated soon, it is tech that is not needed in the first place. Having a motorcycle that is a rolling stereo is outdated especially since motorcycle helmets themselves have improved in tech and can accommodate speakers for the rider to listen to without broadcasting their favorite music to everyone within a 1 mile distance. How much tech is to much? It all depends on the individual, and if they are willing to pay for it. How much tech is to much? I want to have rocket launchers attached to my motorcycle to shoot those cars of people staring at their phones while driving. Then again, the road would be safer for me, and not for those distracted by tech.
When the tech becomes a distraction it is too much. You were talking about tech built into the bike. ABS and such is a good thing but does it affect your skill? Maybe? I'm not really sure yet. I have not been in a situation where I needed to rely on the tech in my bike to help/hurt me. All of the other stuff, radio, camera, gps, that kind of stuff can take your eyes off the road. I try to have anything I am planning on using setup and running before rolling out. I know that is not always possible but I try and keep my eyes on what is going on around me.
I was biking before tech was a thing. I would happily continue without tcs/abs etc. In the Uk/EU abs is compulsory, and traction control is on most bikes with decent power output. I think it inhibits your ability to learn how to handle a bike. On the other hand it probably saves lives, so not all bad.
That aside, I like sat nav 😊
I haven't been on a bike with that kind of tech. I suppose you get used to it, just like trading bikes. It's different, but it's the same…….
So road reality… I mean Walt.. lol. Good topic though in all seriousness. I guess I can’t really say. I have three bikes, zero have abs, zero have traction control, zero have navigation. They are just raw machines. They say not to knock it to you try it so I’ll withhold my opinion on all the fancy bells and whistles until then. Curious to read the other reviews.
I'm probably in middle. I think ride modes to much .
Yea they sure are a lot more buttons and switches on bikes today lol. I remember when they only had a key and kik starter. Oh the good Ole days right. Ride safe my friend.
Hahahahahahahaha [takes breath] hahahahahahahaha. I saw this video in my subscription feed this morning and I laughed out loud, like WTH, did we record the same topic around the same time and it's just now being published? Oh man, I think this is my first reaction video 😉
I've already noticed 2 views on my original video today, presumably because of this one! I think you did a better job of bringing up the topic than I did! 😀
Ride safe, buddy! Using all the latest tech, of course 😉
I think when the the tech involves helps you ride that's when it's too much because it makes you a worse rider. So linked brakes, skid control, the lean assist, it's making you worse and setting you up for failure when you don't have it
Great topic Walt… I'm from the old school of just riding the bike. However I do embrace the new technology, especially if it involves making people safer riders. As long as the rider continue to use sound judgements and NOT let the tech replace common scene. Our ability to think and react is what makes us better and safer riders. We have been on many trips where we turn off all the tech, and if we get lost…back to the technology it is.
Hi! Great topic! For me it depends on the bike and experience you are looking for. On my off road I don't want abs, just total basic bare bones as it needs to be light and rugged – no less to break! On my classic bike, the design of the bullet is from 1930s, it's a totally different experience from modern bikes! It has abs and an electric start required by regulations but I still use the Kickstarter lol! It's a simple machine, as it should be. My mate just got a fancy 1250gs Rallye, it's got all the bells and whistles, it even has a radar thing that slows down and I think matches speed with the vehicle in front, but you would expect it on that level of machine, if you don't want it you don't pay extra for it. Technology has to be honest to the type of machine you are riding and the experience you are looking for. If your bike is your transport why not have your autopilot Tesla to make your life easier, if you want to ride and that's your purpose and experience everything then minimal that interferes with that is best. I still get annoyed that the engine turns off if my kickstand is down, but I'm not changing it as it just takes one mistake to have a nasty accident. Ultimately it depends on the rider and what they want. Take care and stay safe 😊🙏
While I love tech and try to stay up to date with it…I find on a motorcycle it can be distracting. I have my hands and mind full with the small amount of tech on my bike…add in more like what’s on the Goldwings…and I’m not gonna be riding cause I’m gonna be too busy playing with it all.
I think the new technology is some great stuff but it's not all for me. The ABS, fuel management systems etc. are great but as far as all of the infotainment systems and gyro gadgets I personnel can do without. I did a 1000 mile trip with my wife on my 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner, the only thing I used was my phone for GPS. It was fantastic. I just bought an AMF HD Ironhead Sportster, talk about bare bones but I'm having a lot of fun bring it back to life, can't wait to ride it, (short distances ha ha). A lot of bikes get sold with the big fairings packed with tech stuff so their is a big market for it.
I have to admit, when I test rode the new Gold Wing, I had no idea what all the buttons did, but since buying one, I have figured it out (pretty much), and I love the tech on newer bikes, but I also get that it is nice to just go ride and listen to the sound of the motor and embrace the experience. I guess I just love to throw a leg over and ride, but I definitely lean towards liking the tech stuff. If the tech adds to the experience and increases safety I'm for it!
"Too much" tech is when the technology begins to impede on a biker's ability to ride safely. I am 100% in favor of lean-sensitive ABS through a 6-axis IMU and advanced traction control as excellent safety tech, and anything we can get to make our rides safer is always going to get two thumbs up from me. But lately there have been things like GoPro control added, and this makes me a little uneasy.