6 Reasons Why Seasoned Riders Dislike Motorcycle Traction Control

Motorcycle riding isn’t all about transport; it is the name of the connection between riders, machine, and the road. It is a test of skills and control. For seasoned riders, there is a deep satisfaction in mastering the skill of bike riding, control, and the feeling of the road through every vibration and slight shift. But what happens when a computer can take part in that control? This is where Traction Control can start to become controversial.

Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), or simply TC, is a type of safety system installed on many modern bikes. We will get to learn about this feature in detail below.

Traction control has obvious safety benefits, mainly to novice riders. It helps them ride safely in difficult riding scenarios. Many seasoned riders find traction control intrusive and not very useful to the riding experience they enjoy.

This article takes a closer look at some of the main reasons why seasoned riders don’t like the traction control on the latest bikes. It involves both the technical and rational aspects of this matter.

Before getting into the reasons why most expert bikers seem to view traction control as an intrusive bike feature, let’s learn how traction control operates. The system employs sensors for tracking the speed of both front and rear wheels. When the rear wheel rotates faster than the front, it is a sign of loss of traction. The system then cuts power by cutting the fuel supply, advancing or retarding spark firing, or adjusting the throttle response.

The traction control is basically a type of safety system installed in bikes that prevents the rear wheel from spinning too fast. This is done by reducing the engine power or using the brakes when the slip is detected.

Now, let’s move on to the reasons why seasoned or skilled bikers don’t really like the traction control system in their bikes.

One of the most common complaints of skilled riders is the interference of traction control into power delivery. Advanced riders have been practicing smooth throttle control for years. They can sense the limits of the bike and control power without the aid of electronics.

When using the traction control, there are unnatural power cuts. This power cut-off disrupts the rhythm or smoothness that seasoned riders rely on. Many riders refer to TC as an unpleasant intervention with the inputs they provide. Instead of making the riding experience seamless and cooperating with riders, the traction control seems to go against them in certain ways.

The traction control system activates even where there is no real danger. On straight, high-grip roads, many riders have reported that TC cuts the engine power and reduces the acceleration. This results in a choppy, unpleasant ride that is contrary to what the motorbike is used to provide when a skilled rider is in control.

Seasoned riders, mainly skilled ADV and dirt riders, use controlled wheel slip as a riding technique. On certain terrains, the rear wheel spon is quite useful when it comes to cornering, changing the bike’s direction, and acceleration. Traction control systems don’t know about this.

This is the reason why most modern bikes come with a switchable traction control feature. This allows them to practice rear wheel sliding and traction to perform maneuvers in different riding situations.

It can be necessary for pro riders to slide the rear wheel slightly while riding on the track. This helps them to come out of corners quicker and stay in better control. TC is a very active mechanism that neutralizes these advanced riding techniques.

The TC system also eliminates other riding tricks, such as backing the bike into corners or during controlled power slides. These skills require years to master, but traction control treats them as mistakes that must be corrected.

More seasoned riders are concerned that TC helps new riders develop bad habits. When the system is there to save riders from their mistakes at all times, they never learn how to control the throttle and manage traction.

This becomes dangerous when the bike used by the rider isn’t equipped with traction control or when the system malfunctions. Some riders have not developed their skills to ride a bike safely without relying on electronics.

Riders who have mastered the art of riding a horse will develop better real skills than riding a bike with numerous electronic aids. It is true to a certain level. There are many essential riding skills that must be developed if you want to become a pro rider. These skills include:

• Bike control

• Balance

• Quick maneuvers

• Maintaining traction

Skilled riders believe that knowing the limitations of the bike by practice allows them to be safer riders for the long term.

Even the best traction control systems have limitations. There are many examples where TC does not behave as expected. It has been experienced by a number of riders.

Cold tires work in a similar way, in a way that they can trick the system into believing that there is more grip than there actually is.

Some TC systems are not properly scaled and turn off power too aggressively. This makes the bike slower and less pleasant to ride. Advanced systems are more expensive, but still can’t beat the judgments and skills of seasoned riders in many situations.

Off-road riding is unique and places special demands on TC units. When spin is widely required by off-road riders to keep the bike moving forward when it is in sand or loose dirt. Standard traction control is fighting against this and makes it harder to ride effectively.

Many skilled riders believe that traction control limits the bike's true aptness. The old-fashioned approach of the system means that the power is often cut earlier than the actual traction limit is reached.

For track riders and sport bike enthusiasts, the performance reduction is quite frustrating. They want to see what their bike can do and not have electronic aids restricting them.

Pro bike racers and track day riders often turn off TC to ensure faster lap times. They find that with their skills, they can handle the traction better than such advanced systems can.

Traction control systems make bikes quite complex machines. More sensors, wiring, and ECU programming mean more things that can break down. When TC systems fail, they can be expensive and time-consuming to fix or repair.

Some riders, who are older or less tech-savvy, prefer the simplicity of bikes without gadgets and tech features. They believe in their skills compared to complex computer systems that they can’t repair themselves.

The extra cost of the traction control system also makes the prices of such bikes more expensive. Seasoned riders may not want to spend money on such safety systems that they don’t plan on using.

Despite the criticisms, many skilled riders say there is a place for traction control. Modern bikes come with ECUs and customizable systems that can help riders change the level of interference. Riders can actually set the level of interference or completely turn off these systems, such as traction control. However, the key is to set the right balance between safety and control.

Some expert riders like to use TC in certain riding situations, such as riding in wet weather. They used to turn this system off for track days, spirited street riding, or dirt riding. This way, they can use the system only when they want and when required. They can benefit from the traction control only when they need it, so their riding experience is not compromised.

Advanced bike systems with lean angle sensors and many ride modes allow for improved performance over the older, simpler systems. These features or upgrades help address some of the concerns that seasoned riders have had with the traction control system.

While traction control has real safety benefits, it is not hard to see why most seasoned riders do not like the idea of this system. The cessation of smooth power delivery and preventing riders from practicing top riding skills are some of the barriers that traction control offers. Other than that, TC also reduces the bike’s performance. These are all the things that a skilled rider values.

Nonetheless, the TC feature keeps on improving. More modern systems are less intrusive, and they have better customization options. The never-ending debate between modern rider aids and plain-old riding skills will likely continue with tech improvements.

For more seasoned riders, the choice may be as much a matter of personal taste and riding style. Those who value more control and performance values may prefer to ride without the traction control. For others, the modern systems provide an acceptable compromise between safety and riding enjoyment.

The most important thing is that riders understand the aptness of traction control. They also know its limitations. Whether you use it or not, acquiring proper riding skills is still the basic requirement for fun and safe riding. Modern rider aids are there to make your riding easier and safer. However, they are not there as a substitute for basic bike control skills.

Remember that the traction control is only one tool in the safety toolbox. Training, good riding gear, and road sense are still the most crucial aspects of bike riding safety. The system is best used when coupled with good riding.

The most common problems with traction control, as reported by seasoned riders, are as follows:

• Over-intervention.

• Frequent power cut-offs.

• Creating a jerky riding experience in certain situations.

• Lack of smooth acceleration in certain cases.

• Variable performance on varying terrains.

• Not suitable for off-roading and track racing.

• Not suitable in cold tire situations.