Riding Modes.............

My Ducati has riding modes and I do use them. Most of the time I spend in 'touring' as it's got the power I need for normal riding and the ride is more compliant. 'Urban' is effectively rain mode. It kills the power and I wouldn't use it unless conditions were exceptionally slippery. Most of that control comes from my right hand and careful use of brakes. Enduro is for offroad (obviously). I'm unlikely to take a bike weighing over 200kg off the tarmac so that one's redundant. I kick it up to 'sport' if things are getting a bit quick and it does firm us the ride, whcih can be a bit wallowy otherwise.

It's possible to create custom modes for TC, engine power etc. I may do that sometime to find a compromise I like, as I did in the car. Do I car that my Street Triple has none of that stuff? Not a bit.

 

I use 'rain' mode in the rain. Mostly as a little extra safety margin in case I get on the throttle too early coming out of a corner, or if I hit a bump in a corner. (Bump may cause a little jerk of the throttle and in 'road' mode throttle response seems to be instantaneous not great if it's wet and you're not upright).

 

I've used rain once , it helped on the wet leaf covered twisty mountain road , I've tried sport and it's to abrupt for my tastes . If the roads are dry , Road with TCC off is my favorite.

 

I’ve modes on my scrambler XE and think there biggest load of shite going, I am all for abs but the rest is just a sales gimmick, I’d rather just have one smooth bike not a abrupt bike or a dull bike just one smooth exciting bike ,I hate things being over complicated just for the sake of it,I wish the manufacturers would give you the option of all the modes tech etc or a bike with just a key and normal clocks and no modes.

 

Complete waste of money and a total con! Didn't need 'em on my Daytona 955i CE (147bhp allegedly) and don't need 'em on my Trident 900 (98bhp allegedly).
If I had to choose between a Bonneville derivative, probably a T120, and a new Royal Enfield Interceptor, then it's a no brainer - Interceptor wins because of its simplicity and cost. Its power is similar to my '69 Bonneville, which is probably enough, although it is heavier, but then again, so am I! And I'm much older than I was when I had my Bonnie so I get my kicks at lower speeds these days!
Riding modes on a sub 100bhp bike are an insult to the rider. The throttle works both ways according to the late, great Mike Hailwood, and he would know.
Like the idea of ABS though!