Traction Control, Abs, Do You Leave Yours Turned On?

On a recent ride I pondered to myself about how much we rely on rider aids and had my camera rolling so turned it into a video. Do you leave it on or turn them off? Do you think they are really required?

 

I remember my GSXR750, my 1050 Speed Triple, Ducati Sport Classic 1000, Husky supermoto, Ducati Monster.... all not killing me and they all had no rider aids other than footpegs, seat and controls... I def feel I have gotten soft in recent years, and although very rarely have any of them kicked in on recent bikes, I do feel I now have less confidence in my ability!

 

I think this is the stance I agree with the most, folk who only have ridden modern bikes are going to struggle on older bikes with possibly worse tyres too so grip is even less!

 

When I had my Kawasaki ZX636R which had ABS/TC, I left it turned on at Brands on a trackday, and having the ABS on meant I had the confidence to brake so much later and harder, as I assumed if I got beyond grip it would let me know, I never had it kick in, but I did end up boiling the brake fluid and ended up with brake fade by the end of one session, so it did teach me more about what I could get away with, but after the brakes fading, it left me wondering if the ABS actually worked! lol. Have had ABS save a front slide for me on several other bikes though!

 

The thing is, I was always a very early braker, I just had the false sense of security to try harder