I am a tinkerer. A potterer. And my instinctive reaction to the EU or whoever telling me that I cant or shouldnt do something is to do it.
The EU have either already brought in rules to force manufacturers to prevent you "chipping" your car by locking the ECU or they are about to do so. Which is a very good reason for playing with the ECU.
I was looking at the new Triumph Bonneville range yesterday.
Water cooled, ABS, traction control, electronic throttle, 2 or 3 engine maps can be selected. Meets the latest EU bike emissions levels.
And you know what? they look fantastic, the Thruxton R especially.
The reviews compare it to the Triumph's latest Speed triple in ride, handling and dynamics.
I suppose it is to the Classic original Triumph Bonneville what the Plus 8 is to a 1960s +4.
Test ride next week.
Yes, the EU has forced ABS, traction control and closed ECU on bikes...and this is giving the M3W a headache, but I think it is for the best. I don't want a bike where I can lock the front wheel in a panic stop, I don't want a bike where I can easily drop the back end because the bike hits a diesel spill as I power out of a roundabout n a wet road.
Likewise I want ABS on a car and I would be happy to have traction control on the plus 8, as we have on the AMG.
Technology may annoy the gifted few, but in my view for the vast majority it makes the enjoyment greater.
Others may disagree.
