What is ASC?

[Beemer Ian]

I'm curious to know exactly what ASC is and what does it do. I believe it is something to do with stability control but I can't get my head round how that can be achieved on a bike.

I am mulling over which optional extras to have fitted and the ASC has me flummoxed(spelling???) and at £250 it's a bit expensive to buy if it doesn't do anything useful other than sounding impressive.

Apologies if I'm raking over a long dead subject!!

 

[John Armstrong]

Anti rear wheel spin / anti wheelie basically.

 

[wurzel]

I thought it was Automatic Sound Control for the radio.

The faster you go the louder it gets

 

[Beemer Ian]

Anti rear wheel spin / anti wheelie basically.

Many thanks. Better have it then.

 

[John Armstrong]

Many thanks. Better have it then.

There are those that would say just don't open the throttle as quickly. And those of us who aren't riding gods might find it of use.

Like ABS if you're a tw@t the bike'll still bite if you take to many liberties, ie cranked over, run over ice and give it full throttle

 

[wurzel]

Many thanks. Better have it then.

Personally I think it's down to throttle control. It's a lot cheaper than £250!

 

[LittleMark]

Only had it "kick-in" once, on a very slippy manhole cover that I didn't notice until I hit it after traffic lights. Back wheel slipped a bit, but the warning light shot on, the wheel slowed and came back under control, and my undies absorbed the moisture. Definately worth it I'd say. Probably would have been paying more than £250 on repairs without it.

 

[John Armstrong]

Personally I think it's down to throttle control. It's a lot cheaper than £250!

Then you don't bother with ABS, as that's down to brake control, or wear protective clothing as any occurrence can forseen?

 

[Pukmeister]

I have two riding buddies who have 'upgraded' from 2005 model R1200GS's to 2008/9 Spec R1200GSA's with all the toys including ASC.

They both shot me down when I said it was unnecessary, they reckon the ASC is an asset in controlling wheelspin when slippery, making the bike much more stable compared to their old bikes despite the extra size/weight.

If/when I upgrade my 2004 bike, I think I'll be paying the little extra for ASC on mine.

 

[AndyT]

It stands for Automatic Self Cleaning - all my bikes have it fitted. Just wheel them outside when its raining and voila

 

[Fanum]

Are we going to get a whole generation of riders who aren't able to ride other bikes safely because they've got so used to letting the bike not lock up the wheels by simply squeezing the brakes as hard as they can , not checking their tyres are blown up properly because they have a warning light to tell them they've gone soft and who are incapable of feeling what level of acceleration is appropriate for the surface they're riding on??

I suspect we are, and if we're not careful, it could sound the death knell for 'traditional' bikes that you actually have to learn to ride..the H&S Nazis are writing their reports now!

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Are we going to get a whole generation of riders who aren't able to ride other bikes safely because they've got so used to letting the bike not lock up the wheels by simply squeezing the brakes as hard as they can , not checking their tyres are blown up properly because they have a warning light to tell them they've gone soft and who are incapable of feeling what level of acceleration is appropriate for the surface they're riding on??

I suspect we are, and if we're not careful, it could sound the death knell for 'traditional' bikes that you actually have to learn to ride..the H&S Nazis are writing their reports now!

+1

Ive got ABS, as I got the bike second hand and it came with it.

It has got me out the poo a couple of times (but then again if I was paying attention in the first place......).

On the whole I think its made me lazy, and relient on it working (things do stop working and need fixing sometimes!! expensively probably!!)

Would be quite happy if it wasnt there! none of me other bikes had it

 

[Gruffalo]

when i bought my gs second hand about 3 months ago it came ewith asc and abs
granted dont need either but it adds that little bit of peice of mind, especially as i dont have a car and ride all year, everyday whatever the weather
Just turn it all off in the summer when i want to have abit of fun!!

 

[Gundog]

mine worked when crossing a wet cattle grid bit to fast, slightly leaning over....
feckin el, wondered what the feck was that
did the trick though

 

[Beemer Ian]

Are we going to get a whole generation of riders who aren't able to ride other bikes safely because they've got so used to letting the bike not lock up the wheels by simply squeezing the brakes as hard as they can , not checking their tyres are blown up properly because they have a warning light to tell them they've gone soft and who are incapable of feeling what level of acceleration is appropriate for the surface they're riding on??

I suspect we are, and if we're not careful, it could sound the death knell for 'traditional' bikes that you actually have to learn to ride..the H&S Nazis are writing their reports now!

I think you are spot on. I still remember 24 years ago, just after passing my test, riding along the Strasse in Germany behind some Chieftain tanks which had left half of the local fields on the road and trying to brake for a bend. I very quickly realised the value of forward observation and timely anticipation rather than crapping my pants whilst wobbly skidding for 50 metres or so.

I have ABS on my bike which I have never activated but it sort of feels good to know that if/when you do make a mistake it may help to keep you alive.

 

['Nuffsaid]

In principal, I would agree with Bill regarding the molly-coddling of riders to let them off responsibiliites for their stupidities, and not letting you learn how to ride properly ............However ......

3 Months ago, I went on a trip to Wales with 2 other GSA's, I am in second place following on a fairly "spirited" ride on wet roads, not stupid speeds, just progressive riding. All riders are resonably experienced all year round riders - all use their bikes as their primary form of transport.

On a section of single track road, on a slight incline - Andy, the rider in front accelerated on a patch of polished ashphalt, his back wheel span out to one side, then gripped - high siding him, writing off the bike and hospitalising him.

He has subsequently replaced the bike with an '08 model (with ASC) and is convinced that he wouldn't have had his "off" if he had ASC. I am inclined to agree with him, inasmuch as this happened really quickly and my experience of ASC is that it kicks in straight away and would have pulled the power off the rear wheel and strightened the bike up before it hit the grippy tarmac.

Only thing is, that off-road you have to turn it off as it bogs down easily in anything that is remotely loose and is a total pain.

My pennies worth!

 

[Dahoum]

Are we going to get a whole generation of riders who aren't able to ride other bikes safely (

I dont think so Bill. I dont know the stats but I would be very surprised if there are many punters who come into motorcycling directly onto a bike fully specced with all the safety farkles.

And if they do they are unlikely to be the type of riders who will be taking big risks when riding - they'll just be getting these additions for a feeling of safety.

Dont worry - once they then get on a non abs/servo/acs/solid tyred/no-oil-required bike they'll soon learn to pack spare undies

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Are we going to get a whole generation of riders who aren't able to ride other bikes safely because they've got so used to letting the bike not lock up the wheels by simply squeezing the brakes as hard as they can , not checking their tyres are blown up properly because they have a warning light to tell them they've gone soft and who are incapable of feeling what level of acceleration is appropriate for the surface they're riding on??

I suspect we are, and if we're not careful, it could sound the death knell for 'traditional' bikes that you actually have to learn to ride..the H&S Nazis are writing their reports now!

Fecking well said

I had ASC and thought it was overrated

No fun on moorland roads.............ASC kicked in everytime you launched off the undulations and crests...............the bike cut the ignition and momentarily the engine died.............your helmet hit the screen because forward momentum had been suspended by bloody ASC

Took a HP2 out last Saturday and no ASC........really enjoyable to powerslide the rear wheel under acceleration

Feck ASC................nowt wrong with a bit of movement under the wheels

Cue...............Bob Southgate and John Armstrong to shoot me down as a luddite and anti 1200's

If I am a luddite...................thank feck for that

 

[Deleted account LB]

So does it have an on / off button then ?

 

['Nuffsaid]

Oh Yes it does have the off button ..........