How Much Technology do we need?

At what point does technological advance start to become a problem; and particularly why may adding computers to everything not be a sign of progress but just technology for the sake of fashion?

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I am going to explore this through an analysis of some bikes I have owned and then make a comparison between BMW bikes of the 1980 – 90 period with their equivalents today to see if the modern bikes are genuinely better or just the product of modern thinking.

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Starting with my currently owned 1939 Velocette MSS 500cc OHV engine. I have it as a vintage machine because I like owning machines I can understand. It also gives me something very practical to do as it needs lots of maintenance. I own it to take to ‘tinker with’ as much as to ride. Plenty of the former is needed. (I have a 2010 750 Moto Guzzi as the bike I expect to start when I press the button – its purpose is riding. I am annoyed when I have to fix it.)

Clearly many people very happily used bikes like this for many years as their main form of transport. This actual bike spent from 1939 – 1946 in the British Army. It clearly delivers the goods at one level – or did when it was newer.

It scores very highly on fix it yourself; and the competent home mechanic could do most repair job. However I rather like:

• Rear suspension (This is rigid back end)

• Front suspension that really works

• Brakes that stop the bike – not the half hub single leading shoe this is fitted with. Stopping distance at 50? … eventually.

• Electrics that deliver some light out of the front end so you can ride at night – ie not the 6v system this has.

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Moving on 30 years (although still basically a 1930s engine) to my 1970 Triumph T100ss 500cc OHV Twin which I owned in the mid 70s. Vast improvement on the MSS

• Rear suspension

• Decent Front suspension

• Improved brakes (full hub, twin leading shoe – but still drums) It did actually stop.

• 12 Volt electrics

This is still an entirely home mechanics repair bike. When I owned it, I was barely aware of the shortcomings because it delivered what I wanted and was not too out of line with what everyone else was riding.

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However, as I look back there are things which could produce a genuine improvement. So on to my 1981 Moto Guzzi T4 850cc OHV V twin. Bought new.

 

I want to argue this represents the generation of bikes that was the pinnacle of engineering and that after this it was largely downhill in many respects. This actually was my main form of transport and I covered thousands of miles on it in all weathers with total reliability.

• Entirely adequate front and rear suspension with good handling.

• 3 disc brakes – this one certainly could stop

• 12 Volt electrics with a powerful headlight

• Indicators

• Electric start – kick start not even fitted.

• Excellent weather protection. I added the bottom sections of the fairing shortly after this picture.

• Excellent luggage carrying ability with the detachable cases

• An engine powerful enough to carry two people and full luggage at 80 mph and still feel relaxed

Very importantly this was still an entirely home mechanic friendly bike.

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To develop this exploration I want to explore BMWs from this period with BMW today and argue that the machine of today is over sophisticated and the technological additions generate as many problems as they add value to the bike.