Technology and MGP etc.

Listening to the commentary for the race today they were discussing the
setup for the bikes, particularly about the way the management systems
control front wheel lift during race start and low gear acceleration.
While I understand and appreciate the benefits of this technology I
question the application. I suggest it's the riders responsability to
manage the power and it's effects on the bike. If technology reaches the
point where the rider merely cracks the throttle wide open and lets the
systems do the rest is really what we want?

I remember Mick Doohan commenting years ago about the performance
difference between leaded and unleaded 500's, he said unleaded fuel made
the 500's glorified 250's that anyone could ride fast but the unleaded
fuel meant that only a handful of riders could really eeek out the full
power potential the bikes offered, surely the same must be true of
traction control and anti wheelie management systems, is it time to
limit auto pilot and put the skill back to the rider?

Paul

 

Indeed, if F1 is any guide, you wouldn't even be sure that what was on
the bike after the race is what was on the bike during the race.
Traction control that only turns itself on when you shift 1-2-3-2-1
within 2 seconds after first exceeding 20 mph, traction control
software that deletes itself from the computer after the post-race
burnout, you name it, people will do it.

-jake