Hill Start Assist

[Arsey]

So, to answer the OP...

Apparently it can't be retro-fitted, whatever the year. Seems strange but my dealer assures me it can't...

Wrong-this one has it !!!

 

[mattgslc]

The GSA doesn't have it yet. The 2017 GS does. Give it 4 months, and it'll be standard on the GSA.

Anyone that doesn't like it, fuck 'em.

I got told by the dealer that it had it on my gsa te 2017 ?

 

[fred_jb]

You sure that's not just the Rallye's super-duper suspension ?

I had almost exactly the same experience on a GS TE, except I hadn't even realised that I had activated hill start before the fun began!

 

[Wonkey donkey]

Having seen reverse gear on a K1600 last week I hope that becomes an option on the GSA as well

 

[Blackal]

I guess all manufacturers are in technology race - to differentiate their own products, and to increase sales prices..............

Some things are worthwhile, some less so...............

Keyless ignition - no thanks
Cruise control - not tried it, but open to persuasion
Hill start? Mmmmm............ no thanks, but if it was standard on a bike I actually wanted - might be useful once a year

Al

 

[Wreford Miles]

It seems the most common reason to have it is to take the opportunity to compose oneself...

May I suggest that if you are feeling discombobulated looking to re compose on a hill is not the best place

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Basic bike control, should dispel the need for something like Hill Start Assist

Negative?

Yep, something else to malfunction and if you lose the basic skill then whenever you swap to a normal bike, what will you do then?

A bit like mental maths v calculator

I saw a chap trying to move a 1200RT, the other day and he could barely move it 2" off the sidestand, he couldn't handle the weight - perhaps stabilisers would have helped him

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

For KTM its an electronics upgrade. Input a code and it activates hill start assist.

Personally I would find it useful when 2 up and loaded.

Don't worry about the luddite's who fear riding a bike becoming too easy

 

[RedRick Esq.]

if you lose the basic skill then whenever you swap to a normal bike, what will you do then?

I almost agree with Jonny luddite on this

I have got so used to the quick shifter on the XR (which is so slick that) when i get on another bike i forget to do clutched changes and make a bollocks of it until old ways and memory kick back in

 

[DC]

Used it on the RT once in around 18 mths on the bike . Seems like you really have to rev the tits off the bike for it to release. As mentioned above , old school basic bike control is what it takes

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Used it on the RT once in around 18 mths on the bike .

Seems like you really have to rev the tits off the bike for it to release.

As mentioned above , old school basic bike control is what it takes

...and how good is this for the engine/clutch/gearbox????

Not much mechanical sympathy to the sum of the parts, FFS

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I almost agree with Jonny luddite on this

I have got so used to the quick shifter on the XR (which is so slick that) when i get on another bike i forget to do clutched changes and make a bollocks of it until old ways and memory kick back in

 

[Boxed-in]

The hill start is very useful, not for the hill starts, but when you're fiddling to do something on a slope, where you're not concentrating on the bike, passport controls for example where you need both hands. The bike stays solidly placed.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The hill start is very useful, not for the hill starts, but when you're fiddling to do something on a slope, where you're not concentrating on the bike, passport controls for example where you need both hands. The bike stays solidly placed.

Passport control?

Most of these that I have ever used, even in Eastern Europe, have been on perfectly level ground??

When clearing customs, I find it best to pull up nearest the booth and dismount and go over to the kiosk to hand over documents, collect any stuff and then get back on bike

Some people making riding a motorcycle so difficult?

 

[Boxed-in]

Passport control?

Most of these that I have ever used, even in Eastern Europe, have been on perfectly level ground??

When clearing customs, I find it best to pull up nearest the booth and dismount and go over to the kiosk to hand over documents, collect any stuff and then get back on bike

Some people making riding a motorcycle so difficult?

Yeh I was the opposite, in Malaysia, one 400km run had 8 passport controls, so a run from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu and back needed 16 stamps on your passport

 

[CPJS]

My van does not have;
electric windows
heated wing mirrors
heated seats
heated screen
cruise control
trip computer
traction control

Is my van better for not having them? Hell no. It is better to have it and not need it..........

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

How many folk do back from an automatic in a car to a manual gear box?

Some may, many will not. Horses for courses but it should not be seen as a negative or some old 'badge of honour' to be 'au naturale'.

 

[Warlord]

I can't think of a single time in the last 250,000 miles of riding where I've needed Hill Start Assist.

Great gadget if you've got it for free and those rare instances where it might just help to keep both feet on ground, but I won't miss it.

The gadgets I'm loving most are...

- ABS Pro. So now I can steam onto a large traffic light controlled roundabout, get ahead of everyone else and after checking road surface, use front brake and engine braking while banked over to slow back down for next red light. Thats cool and it works.

- Cruise Control. Love it. Use this all the time for monitoring speed through 30, 40, 50, 60 mph zones. Great.

- Gear Shift Pro. Love it, always have quickshifters fitted anyways. Great on long rides to prevent clutch hand fatique.

- Keyless Start. Love it. I ride all year round in horrible weather, so stashing my key away helps tremendously from faffing about at petrol stations. Just waiting for my Samsung Smart Watch Gear S3 to have contactless payment and I wont even need to get my credit card out. Thats ace as well.

- Navigator Pro VI. Full colour display showing speed, tyre pressures, engine temp, navigation. Absolutely great, dont need bike display anymore, just use that.

- LED Lights. Amazing. Pitch black ride in Wales, all lights on was better than my car. Amazing distance and clarity.

The only thing so far that I dont like is the crappy horn sound. Should have a truck horn, would suit it better.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

How many folk do back from an automatic in a car to a manual gear box?

Some may, many will not. Horses for courses but it should not be seen as a negative or some old 'badge of honour' to be 'au naturale'.

Well I have my first autobox, in 35 years of driving

6 months in and i'm not entirely convinced, I still prefer driving my manual SUV 4x4 or my Hiace Van, if i'm totally honest

I certainly wouldn't pay more for an Auto 4 wheeler

Yours sincerely, the luddite

(BTW just been out to check my bike out for its first ride of the 2017 'season' for me....., I had to bend down to visibly check the oil and top it up with a funnel, then I checked the tyre pressures, with an old fashioned pencil gauge - put some air in and then re-check them with a pencil gauge. No need for TPS here or auto oil level sensor on a a slow go 1150 GSA and what happens when your sensors fail??)

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Well I have my first autobox, in 35 years of driving

6 months in and i'm not entirely convinced, I still prefer driving my manual SUV 4x4 or my Hiace Van, if i'm totally honest

I certainly wouldn't pay more for an Auto 4 wheeler

Yours sincerely, the luddite

(BTW just been out to check my bike out for its first ride of the 2017 'season' for me....., I had to bend down to visibly check the oil and top it up with a funnel, then I checked the tyre pressures, with an old fashioned pencil gauge - put some air in and then re-check them with a pencil gauge. No need for TPS here or auto oil level sensor on a a slow go 1150 GSA and what happens when your sensors fail??)

There are sensors to monitor the sensors and the dash or Nav will tell you the sensors have failed

I miss a kickstart