Stickyfinger wrote: 17 Apr 2025, 18:54
Jim, SHE has stated thus....as well as calling cars an "outdated and damaging form of transport that needs replacing"....so not having a "go" at bicyclists just the out of control lump on that particular one
Ahh, is that who she is then. I have no clue, not being a visual watcher of current affairs I would struggle to recognise any of the current crop. It's more likely I'd recognise their voices...
I see. I thought it was just some sort of stock photo of a random rider...
Anyway, my comment was meant in a light-hearted way, hence the W and G gag
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Hell Razor5543 wrote: 17 Apr 2025, 16:32
I was of the opinion that one of the reasons behind Brexit (right or wrong, and lets' NOT go down that route) was so the UK could opt out of EU regulations.
The manufacturers would be most annoyed at having to make UK versions without all the electronics and hardware.
Hell Razor5543 wrote: 17 Apr 2025, 16:32
I was of the opinion that one of the reasons behind Brexit (right or wrong, and lets' NOT go down that route) was so the UK could opt out of EU regulations.
The manufacturers would be most annoyed at having to make UK versions without all the electronics and hardware.
I'm sure they'd charge handsomely for it...
All that would be needed would be a software change to allow owners to disable permanently the things they didn't want. So I'd suggest they would simply have US, EU, UK, Asian, Australasian and ROTW software versions to be written in accordingly during manufacture. Thus no hardware changes so very low cost difference.
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
Hell Razor5543 wrote: 17 Apr 2025, 16:32
I don't have an issue with driver aids per se, it is the bloody interfering NANNY STATE driver aids that bug me! (ESPECIALLY the ones that actively take part in driving).
On the cars I've driven with anything other than ABS, I've never noticed or activated anything other than the Traction control on the Skoda in the snow.
The ABS on the BMW bike used to annoy me as under hard braking, the rear could go light enough to activate it. I never got the TC to activate on it despite trying *really* hard on a damp road.
It was so easy to spin the rear wheel on the MT09 you took me to Watford to collect that I thought the clutch was slipping the first time I rode it in the wet.
Hell Razor5543 wrote: 17 Apr 2025, 16:32
I was of the opinion that one of the reasons behind Brexit (right or wrong, and lets' NOT go down that route) was so the UK could opt out of EU regulations.
The manufacturers would be most annoyed at having to make UK versions without all the electronics and hardware.
I'm sure they'd charge handsomely for it...
All that would be needed would be a software change to allow owners to disable permanently the things they didn't want. So I'd suggest they would simply have US, EU, UK, Asian, Australasian and ROTW software versions to be written in accordingly during manufacture. Thus no hardware changes so very low cost difference.
As vehicles go through various checks before it is handed over to the customer it is possible to configure the vehicle according to the final country regulations.
James ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
bobins wrote: 18 Apr 2025, 19:05
Weren't the older Mazda SkyActiv diesels fitted with an SDM ? Self Destruct Mechanism - the engine would seize due to oil starvation
They were and this was and he has had the engine out and fitted among other bits and bobs new camshafts and timing chain and stressed that the oil be checked regularly and frequently to do frequent oil changes.
Depending on our mileage that will probably be every six months.
Only just spotted this topic - an interesting discussion. Didn't know there was ABS on bikes!
My two penn'orth
I think there's a threshold - stuff "one side of the line" is pretty hard to argue it's not a net benefit. ABS (on cars) with it's ability to pause breaking on individual wheels (or at least I think it does! Rather than all off-on-off together?) is more likely to put perform someone well practiced at "cadence braking", particularly if there's need or benefit to steering whilst slowing down.
Other side of the line is the "nannying" stuff like lane departure warning / "correction" type systems. More then that, stuff like seat belt warnings, push clutch to start - nagging for stuff you should be going without need of a system to remind you!
I had a car converted to manual choke - but as the automatic system it came with was problematic. I wouldn't say the manual version was better (than a functional auto system!)
Automatic handbrake systems likewise seem to be technology for the sake of it. Operation of a manual handbrake lever isn't complex and to me is an essential part of driving skill set. Not "driving god" type skillset, just "basic competency" to my eyes.
MattBLancs wrote: 18 Apr 2025, 19:47
Only just spotted this topic - an interesting discussion. Didn't know there was ABS on bikes!
While I agree Matt it has been an interesting discussion, I have to say that unfortunately the discussion has centred around the driving aids whereas I intended it to centre around why it is that individuals can love or hate the same principle, automation in this case, when it is put to different uses within their life? In the introductory post I simply suggested the automation of car functions and camera functions as an example of the different implementations of automation in my life and my reactions to them, hoping others might quote and offer other reasons for such differences
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
bobins wrote: 18 Apr 2025, 19:05
Weren't the older Mazda SkyActiv diesels fitted with an SDM ? Self Destruct Mechanism - the engine would seize due to oil starvation
They were and this was and he has had the engine out and fitted among other bits and bobs new camshafts and timing chain and stressed that the oil be checked regularly and frequently to do frequent oil changes.
Depending on our mileage that will probably be every six months.
Yep, a friend's Mazda 6 self-destructed spectacularly...
Back in the day Mazda TV cathode ray tubes and valves did much the same too... Known for their short life.. There was no connection between the Mazda who made valves and the one that makes cars...
mickthemaverick wrote: 18 Apr 2025, 20:06I have to say that unfortunately the discussion has centred around the driving aids whereas I intended it to centre around why it is that individuals can love or hate the same principle, automation in this case, when it is put to different uses within their life?
Normal FCF 'Topic Drift' Mick and IMO it's what makes this forum so magical... We're all thoroughly enjoying this thread and long may it continue to meander around in fascinating directions and go off at thrilling tangents...
Had this been on another forum I frequent, the mods would have closed it long ago - and done a good bit of finger waggling before hitting the button to bring it all to a close
It's no different to a natter amongst a group of friends in a pub over a beer... Or in my case, in a café over a coffee
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
I think that the problem is the perceived level of interference with what it is the user is doing, or the level of functionality of the equipment. For example, bread makers can make a fresh loaf of bread overnight, but there are only a couple of recipes it can use, whereas an experienced baker can tweak recipes depending upon their needs. Most people are happy to let a modern camera select the settings the lookup tables suggest are best suited for the conditions, but a professional photographer can usually get better results based upon their experience. Most modern vehicles have ABS, and the vast majority of drivers don't have an issue with this (as ABS does its' job as and when required without 'shouting' about it). However, driving assistance systems that interfere (and sometimes get it wrong) can be irritating.
In my line of work certain automation has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to complete certain tasks. For example, if I have to re-install the complete software packages onto a client PC it could take a couple of days. However, what was done some time in the past was that somebody did just that, but then took an 'image' of the full software setup (striping out any personalisation settings), and then, using that image, I can have an identical system re-imaged and ready for use within a couple of hours.
James ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
^^ Absolutely.
It is the point beyond where the technology is there as a useful assistant and where it takes over, in situations where it can be positively dangerous as it doesn't have human awareness or judgement.
Not that all us humans have those capabilities all the time.
