Single biggest improvement in the motorcycling experience?

[chickenstrip]

In road riding.

(Yes, I know, everything has got worse: too much traffic, too many speed cameras, too little spent on road repairs, too much bike theft...
But something must still be making it worth it for some of you, or you wouldn't be here, and not everyone here only wants a bike to make the commute easier.)

I thought of limiting this to the last, say 15 years, but for the sake of a more varied discussion, decided not to.

For me, it's improvements in tyre technology, no contest.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[TheSmiler]

Cheaper insurance than a car.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Pjay]

Nobrainer.

Rainpal.
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struan80 - I'll go first - satisfied tick 1

[UncleFester]

In a world where we do more than one thing at once, i find the single minded sole concentration that biking requires very relaxing. I can be tired after a long day at work but that 40 minute ride home is bliss.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[chickenstrip]

[Mr Hammers]

Lack of police. I can safely speed more often than ever before, without fear of getting nicked due to eviscerated police forces.
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A Guide To Powerbands

[UncleFester]

[stonesie]

I have to agree with tyre technology, my sport touring rubber is as good as a pure sports tyre 10/15 years ago, works in rain and lasts 4x as long dealing with the abuse that 150+ horsepower gives the rear.

[c_dug]

[Itchy]

That riding safely is more difficult.

This means it requires a lot of focus and you can clear your mind by riding so it's a form of meditation.

It's done wonders with my insomnia.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[chickenstrip]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I'd say tyres, and very grudgingly admit fuel injection.
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Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Freddyfruitba...]

[pepperami]

I remember Perelli Demons on my old LC 250 being good tyres, so I think good tyres have been around for a long time if you were prepared to pay for them.
My old LC also had good suspension, so it’s not that for me.

I reckon for me it has to be brakes.
My old GT 250 had a single disc up front and it was ffffing scary in the wet, as was my old LC 250.

These days I don’t seem to have as many squeaky bum moments as I used to in the past due to hard braking.
My modern Hyosung would knock my old Suzuki GT 250 into a cocked hat when it comes hard stopping.
I reckon my Hyosung would give my LC a run for its money in the stopping department as well.

So for me it’s brakes and pads/discs.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[stevo as b4]

Can't say it's improved my bike yet as im still waiting for parts and then dyno time. But modern day two stroke tuning knowledge and development , particularly in exhaust design and also in having access to reasonable priced aftermarket ignition systems.

[Mr Hammers]

[BTTD]

Goretex.

[MCN]

Mainly, less Socks on BCF.

ABS and Traction control. Thoughtless riding.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[recman]

The Street Triple.

[ThatDippyTwat]

Tyres. We all know how today's rubber is far better than the ditchfinders 10-15 years ago.

A very close second - Helmet/dash cams.
Keeps the inattentive jizzmonkeys in cars honest when they fuck up, yet again.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Enduro Numpty]

In nearly 40 years on road bikes just about everything has improved. Modern brakes are superb compared to what I rode with in the 1970's, engine performance and reliability is massively better and being able to take it as a given that any bike of modern design is going to handle better than anything I ever rode back in the day. All of these things and more have greatly enhanced my riding experience, but if we're limited to one thing then it has to be tyres. I still get absolute shite mileage from modern tyres as I did with the roadrunners and tt100's but the level of grip offered by modern tyres in wet or dry is beyond compare.

[grr666]

The best thing that has come during my 2 decade+ hiatus away from bikes is the humble pinlock visor.
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[Courier265]

Kevlar as used as a layer of protection in the backside and knees of biker jeans which I wear in the summer.

[thx1138]

mousses (i DO ride on the road with them)

[redeem ouzzer]

I hate riding on the road, it’s shit.

Still ride to work in decent weather but I’m at the point where I’ve done it all now.
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