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Comment by peterlk | Hacker News Reader

Something that often gets overlooked in systems like this what happens when there are bugs. Mechanical control systems are often designed to be durable, and this gives rise to simplicity. Why add all this complexity? What happens when a bug in the software of the bike locks me out of functionality I’ve paid for? This approach is so user hostile.

A bike throttle connected to a carburetor is beautifully elegant. Twist throttle -> pull wire -> wire pulls open air intake valve. If anything ever goes wrong with this system, it’s usually a $5 wire that needs to be replaced (fuel mixture problems are further down in the pipeline.

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>A bike throttle connected to a carburetor is beautifully elegant.

it's also inefficient and wasteful.

we've gone through this revolution in cars already; the benefits don't need to be constantly stated every time -- Reduced weight, reduced mechanical wear, greater efficiencies across the board. Usually cheaper to produce and easier to partially automate production.

Yes -- things are more complicated and sometimes difficult or impossible for end users to modify or repair -- the fact of the matter is that there are less and less people interested in self repair as time goes on, so the manufacturers cater to that crowd less and cater to the higher paying crowds more.

The reality is that very few people have the knowledge for carburetor self repair -- that also happens to be true for firmware debugging and ecm modification. The specialties are just shifting.

I wouldn't mind a move to fuel injection on small dual sports (mine's a DRZ400S). (And some have already made the move.) But that's about it. No more computerized anything, if you please.

These bikes are fun and useful because they are simple. And when they quit running in the middle of nowhere, odds are good you can get it going again with the tools you have on hand.

It's difficult to overstate how mad I'd be to have to call for a tow because of a software fault. :D

I like the drive-by-wire throttle in my bike. The traction control it enables has saved me a few times. Like when hitting wet leaves or a moist metal grate.

The yellow light blinks, you crap your pants a little, and survive the little skid without even a story to tell. Much better than scooping yourself off the pavement.

More expensive bikes even have rain and sport modes that modify throttle response. All impossible without drive by wire.

Having had to rebuild carbs only like 20 times and fiddle with fuel mixture a hundred more… I’ll take a hard pass on this.

This is heavily romanticized. It’s a complete PITA and if you are unlucky enough to not have adjustable enough carbs due to insufficient part availability that allows for micro-adjustments to flow - you’ll have an engine that always runs a bit off.

I’ll take modern FI any day.

Yep, fully agreed. I had a dilemma when getting my first bike whether to go with a carb or a fuel-injected one. After seeing the kind of hoops I have to go through to deal with a carb one, it became a complete no-brainer of a choice. Going with FI pretty much gave me one more thing in a vehicle that I will literally never have to worry or think about with no practical disadvantages, and that's worth a lot to me personally.

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