Traction Control / Tyre Pressure Control....are they worth buying?

[bmwbikeruk]

I'm considering to buy a new 2010 GSA with Premium Package but am unsure of adding Dynamic Package including Integral ABS, Tyre Pressure Control (TPC) and Traction Control (ASC).

I have ridden several BMW's since 1985 and found ABS useful but have never ridden with ASC or TPC before. TPC is not worth buying unless you regularly check tyre condition and pressure with tyre pressure gauge. As for ASC...I don't know what to say unless you want to abuse your GS more without worrying about loose or wet roads.

Whilst ABS may have a valid point, what's the point of adding ASC and TPC when you have been managing without for years?

Convince/ enlighten me if you think I am missing any points re ASC and TPC!

 

[Big Nick]

Don't bother with the Dynamic pack, you won't miss what you've never had

 

[Bryn]

I've got ASC on the new ( to me) SE and I think its great .... and the TP monitors can be set to PSI at the dealers, which will be more useful than bar...

Personally I'm glad the previous owner spent his hard earned ticking all the boxes.

 

[Schtum]

TPC will tell you pretty much immediately if you get a nail in a tyre. That's reassuring in respect of something which could cause you some grief if you didn't spot it.

ASC adds another layer of safety. It's quite reassuring to have on wet and and even gravel covered roads but it's certainly not infallible. I find that I keep forgetting to switch mine down to the next setting from the default one and find it cutting in if I pop the front wheel up over a crest or catch some air over a hump.

 

[GSband]

These options were available to me when I bought mine in 2007, and I didn't bother.

ASC : I'd been driving 60000km on a R12GS from 2005, and never missed ASC. The only time the rear wheel skidded was on wet zebra stripes. So I saw no use.
TPC : if you read up, you'll see BMW had teething problems with this system. I'd been having soooo much problems with my '05 bike that this was enough reason for me not to buy. Then, I check tyre pressure at least every fortnight, so... But I have to admit that the TPC is handy for a SUDDEN drop in tyrepressure.

I'm now 62000km later on my '07 bike, and still haven't missed these options. That's it. It's an opinion, mind.

 

[SpudBoy]

Got a nail in my rear a couple of months ago.

First I knew about it was an orange flashing triangle on the dash, followed about a minute later (as I was slowing down) by a red flashing triangle.

Reckon it's worth it, as advance warning....

Same as ABS/ASC. If it saves your arse even once, it's worth it.

 

[GSmonkey]

I really wouldn't bother with ASC - it adds nothing to safety and requires you to switch the bloody thing off every ride.

 

[rjsmith26]

I bought a 2nd hand GSA with both fitted.

If I was buying new - would definitely go for tyre pressure monitor.

So far I have found it to be spot on accurate and it is so nice when your sat on the motorway in cross winds and the bike is feeling "different" to be able to look down and know you haven't got a flat or anything strange going on. To be honest I ride with TPM on my computer all the time.

As for traction control - not really a convert, very handy if you end up on a wet manhole with some power on, but remembering to turn it and ABS off when you head down an irish gravel lane to the sea to ensure you will be able to stop the bike seems to be a bit of a pain.

 

[Hexme]

Got a nail in my rear a couple of months ago.

First I knew about it was an orange flashing triangle on the dash, followed about a minute later (as I was slowing down) by a red flashing triangle.

Reckon it's worth it, as advance warning....

Same as ABS/ASC. If it saves your arse even once, it's worth it.

Have to agree with you, I had a puncture on my first GS which had TPC, gave me good notice and stopped before it went totally flat, ABS saved my skin once on the motorway on a previous bike but as for ASC I have to agree with GS Monkey on that one.

 

[sven]

ASC adds another layer of safety. It's quite reassuring to have on wet and and even gravel covered roads but it's certainly not infallible. I find that I keep forgetting to switch mine down to the next setting from the default one and find it cutting in if I pop the front wheel up over a crest or catch some air over a hump.

You can change the settings? Mine kicks in constantly as it lifts the front wheel so easily and I find it frustrating in the dry

Quite happy with the ABS and TPS though

 

[Hustler]

............As for traction control - not really a convert, very handy if you end up on a wet manhole with some power on, but remembering to turn it and ABS off when you head down an irish gravel lane to the sea to ensure you will be able to stop the bike seems to be a bit of a pain.

I haven't got such fancy features on my 650 but a genuine interest question, what happens if you don't turn traction control off on your gravel lane ?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

.... and the TP monitors can be set to PSI at the dealers,

I did not know this

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Buy a basic spec + heated grips, the savings would pay for your first ride to the Alps/ Pyrenees (on that bike)

 

[Balders1450]

I just press all the buttons when I get bored, because you can!

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

You can use the TPC to check the pressure when inflating (I can't get a garage hose to work due to wheel space restriction - spokes/disks/ABS)

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

What happens if you leave ASC on in gravel.

I haven't got such fancy features on my 650 but a genuine interest question, what happens if you don't turn traction control off on your gravel lane ?

If you leave ASC on when you are on gravel or sand the when the ASC detects a difference on the speed of the two wheels, like when the front wheel slips or the rear wheel spins, it shuts down the power.

This may be helpful when the rear wheel slips on a wet manhole cover in the road, but when you lose power in gravel and sand you are likely to drop the bike. This happened me when we came across sand unexpectedly in Morocco last month, after that I kept ASC off on anything but good tarmac.

 

[Hustler]

If you leave ASC on when you are on gravel or sand the when the ASC detects a difference on the speed of the two wheels, like when the front wheel slips or the rear wheel spins, it shuts down the power.

This may be helpful when the rear wheel slips on a wet manhole cover in the road, but when you lose power in gravel and sand you are likely to drop the bike. This happened me when we came across sand unexpectedly in Morocco last month, after that I kept ASC off on anything but good tarmac.

Thank you young Drumacoon.

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

As usual the "haves" say they like it..and the "have-nots" say you don't need it..............

 

[GSmonkey]

As usual the "haves" say they like it..and the "have-nots" say you don't need it..............

Not always true. I've got it and think its crap.

 

[GSband]

As usual the "haves" say they like it..and the "have-nots" say you don't need it..............

So that's all right then, everyone likes what he ordered...
Imagine it being the other way round !