Why are the warning lamps on a motorcycle called Idiot Lights?

[@ClintsCrypt]

They say the introduction of all the automated systems (adding lights instead of gauges, removal of clutches and manual shift, auto shut off for indicators, etc.) for a driver are more safe, as the driver can then focus more on their actual driving. But I find (having previously been an accident investigor) that the more you free up the driver's attention from those driving tasks, the more distracted drivers become with non=driving tasks, i.e. texting, phone calls, eating and drinking, changing their music, etc. Instead of focusing more on their driving, they focus even less on it.

[@alanhassall]

Idiot lights can be useful because they alert you to something that you otherwise wouldn’t notice even if there is a gauge present. My Concours 1400 has tire pressure monitors, which are annoying much of the time. One day on a trip, I was accelerating out of a town toward a rally campground when I noticed a red light that I had never seen before. The tire pressure was being displayed below the light at 26psi indicating that I had a flat tire. At that point, the motorcycle was showing no indication of a flat because the tire was not completely flat and the tire was pretty stiff. It gave me the information to head back into town and fix it with a nearby air compressor. I had a small one, but it would have taken forever to inflate the tire. My tire had been cut by a utility knife blade.

[@colindowd3892]

Reminds me of the song. In the year 2525, as a line in the song goes. Everything we think do and say is in the pill you took today. Well done Proffessori.

[@intelligentauto737]

Hi Simon when I see you next we will have a conversation about Bell Curves, this may help you understand why motorcycle technology has gone this way.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I look forward to that Gary. I'm very interested to hear your take on this subject, as you are obviously very close to it on a daily basis.

[@gregleblanc9357]

You're right. I have a new Indian Challenger Limited and with all of the tech built in, I'm afraid to do much of anything on it other than changing the oil. Everything mentioned in this video are very valid points. Great insight. As always, I enjoy your videos and appreciate the content.

[@markmiller7103]

I agree 100% I'm in the U.S and I just got a new XC and I had to sign off that I didn't want the extended warranty's. I'm 58 been riding since I was 19 and I wrench my own bikes as for new tech on bikes that's great but it doesn't mean you shouldn't practice riding. I believe most think that the tech will do the things that they now don't have to worry about with new tech deaths are up people still need to work on riding skills regardless how long you been riding. As always you hit the nail in the head be safe on your travels.

[@darrenhallsworth2536]

As usual what you say is spot on. Unfortunately there is a lot of people that have no desire or a willingness to fix even a little thing like a plug. Slowly but surely we are becoming more useless and unable to stand on our own two feet. If government will not let people change a plug that tells us all we need to know unfortunately. Ride safe.

[@kayoedowner6711]

My guess is that manufacturers of vehicles want to provide the dealership with an service income stream and also given the length of warranties they want to ensure work is carried out to a reasonable standard.

[@alanhassall]

My dad has three BMW airheads that one has to have a incredible grip to lock up the brakes. ABS isn’t needed as much on those bikes. I have chosen ABS on my ST1300 and Concours 1400 because in an emergency, it might save me from lying the bike down in an unfamiliar situation. I believe that I can stop the bike quicker in ideal conditions, but I don’t ride in ideal conditions.

[@DavidPritchard-i7x]

We are moving into a form of collectivism with technocracy at its core, all intentional of course, the opposite is the individual. There is some truth in the statement "if you decide not to use your own mind, somebody else will be willing to do it for you."

[@longjonwhite]

I’d be happy if my bike just had a speedo and odometer! I agree with most of what you’re saying here, but as an (old!) electrician, I have seen some horrendously badly wired plugs in my time, I think today’s moulded plugs are generally a good thing. 😁

[@alexgarrould5544]

Hi, thanks for your how to vids in advance have found them very helpful when working my XC. Just wondering what screen u have on your bike, is it the Triumph tall screen, if so how do you find it? Am considering one for mine, I’m 6ft2 and am concerned about helmet buffering etc, (there so expensive if it doesn’t work out😬 Thanks

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

It's the Triumph screen. It's not the very tall one. It is 8.5 inches tall, which is slightly bigger than the small 6 inch screen. Not tall enough to create buffeting but just enough to give a bit of protection at speed. I'm reluctant to put anything taller on.

[@andrewlang8575]

I'm now on my second bike with rider modes. I have wondered if using these features actually mask over any errors I might make. Or do we utilise these rider aids to make us safer? I'm not convinced

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Most people don't ride days like that here. But I do. I like my low fuel light. Try finding a kids dirt bike with a real clutch. To teach young riders.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

It's harder and harder to find a manual transmission cars and trucks in the U.S.

[@lucywucyyy]

i personally really hate this about all modern tech

[@philrulon]

The loss of agency is lamentable of course. But the more infuriating development is the modern vehicle that reports back to the manufacturer the values of every sensor on the machine. Where you go, how fast you are driving, which stations are playing on the radio, and on and on. Some of them even report your phone calls. We are not just being treated as idiots anymore, it’s more like lab animals by now.

[@yarflocrispy8814]

On my scrambler 1200 I’ve got a permanent check engine light after installing my de-cat and booster plug. Bike runs better than ever but I’ve got this annoying o2 code yelling at me every ride. I wouldn’t care that much but when the light is on it disables the cruise control 🤬 And every time I ride I go through the menu and shut off the traction control, takes a bunch of clicks but I do it as a habit every time. I guess I can’t be trusted with the functions of my own bike 😂

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

That sounds annoying!

[@mrcraighew1]

I think the engine light is caused by the booster plug. If your bike is Euro 5 compliant then the booster plug is known to throw this error. The ECU knows that the bike temp isn't what the booster is telling it (the booster plug works by telling the ECU that it's colder than it actually is thereby adding more fuel to the low down areas within the fuelling map). For what it's worth I'd remove the booster plug then tinker with the fuel map (lots of KZbin vids) to add 5% more fuel to your low throttle positions on your map.

[@yarflocrispy8814]

@@mrcraighew1I’ll give it a try thanks for the advice!!

[@mrcraighew1]

I think all "we" can do is to be grateful we've lived within the last 60 years of history. I don't much like the look of the next 60 years but won't be here to have to drudge through it.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Depressing, but I think I share your sentiment.