2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Traction Control?

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Old Jul 31, 2024 | 06:38 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by foxtrapper
I'd suggest you get onto some dirt roads, goose it hard in something like 2nd gear, and see how it responds. I have no idea how subtle, smooth or obnoxious it is.
Are you sure your softail actually has it?
Ya I have it. And I suspect I've never activated it... I don't go on a lot of minimal traction stuff. But you're right, probably time to get on a dirt road and see. Even if it has activated, doesn't mean I was watching the indicator panel to see. But that is the point, I want to know how subtle or obnoxious it is.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2024 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by FranBunnyFFXII
TC+DragTorque would be nice to have on my bike. With ABS, CC, and the digitach stuff already on my bike, I dont really want anymore tech than that.
If I need nav, I got a phone. If I want temps and stuff I can use a powervision or something like that. I dont need rider modes.
Ya, I'm pretty happy how minimal my ST is. I don't need a display of anything. HOWEVER, as nice as the ST is, I think it's kinda BS it gets a Walmart digital display rather than just the simple guage all the other softail get.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2024 | 10:06 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Powermankw
Ya, I'm pretty happy how minimal my ST is. I don't need a display of anything. HOWEVER, as nice as the ST is, I think it's kinda BS it gets a Walmart digital display rather than just the simple guage all the other softail get.
On my Breakout, the display is a tiny LED built into the handlebar riser. It displays the speed and gear all the time, and I can also scroll through odometer, Trip1, Trip 2, Range of fuel left, Time, and engine RPM.

When I want to see more exotic things (like F and R cylinder timing, engine temp, fuel pulse duration, etc), the HD Bluetooth tuner that I used to do my Stage 2 tune and also the "Smart Tune" process, also will automatically feed my custom selection of sensor readings to the app in my iPhone. I only do that when I am running a test or experiment, and I now mount the iPhone in a Quadlock vibration-reistant mount to protect the iPhone's camera focus mechanism.

For me, all the baove is an adequate solution. When I am not testing or exeirmenting, I have a very small and clean display. When I need or want more, I have the Bluetooth tuner display data. I currently at least have no desire to got to Stage 2,3, or 4, but if I ever do, the HD Bluetooth tuner will enable any of the stages, and then let me display the extra parameters. So, I feel I have both a current and future solution that is workable.

Jim G
 
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Old Jul 31, 2024 | 10:24 PM
  #14  
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There are times when riding I wish my breakout had analog gauges. At least an analog tach. But I do enjoy the simplicity of the small digital gauge as well when looking at the overall look of the bike.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 05:43 AM
  #15  
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My 23 low rider has TC and CC. I used to make fun of cruise control and now I find myself on the two lane 55mph roads setting it to 64 and chilling thru the valleys.

The TC isn’t too bad. Initially, I thought the HD TC would suck compared to some of my previous bikes. It doesn’t, it will let you drift a bit and hang the tail just a smidge.

I did have two torque management/TC codes show in the diagnostic when tuning. First one I cleared and it popped a second time. It doesn’t set the check engine lamp, finding it with a PV3. I’m speculating the TC error pops off when the bike is airborne, it happens multiple times during spirited solo rides. And like a big dirt bike, throttle on the up ramp to set the front end so the rear does unload and chirp when landing. Not sure and I’m really not concerned enough to run a deep dive on why the error code pops, lots of other projects eating my free time that are way more fun.

Agreed on not needing ride modes, even when my bike had multiple menus for lift, ABS and TC, I would find a setting and never touch it again.

The HD TC is alright by me.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 07:07 AM
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I agree that the cruise control is a wonderful thing to have on a motorcycle. It is relatively hard to hold a constant cruise speed manually, especially when the engine is 117 cubic inches and powerful, so you are using only a tiny bit of throttle to maintain speed. The cruise control takes away both the unwanted speed variations AND the need to constantly be checking the speed insread of admiring the scenery and enjoying the feel and sound of the motorcycle.

Jim G
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 07:16 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by JimGnitecki
I know they were "the good old days", but the headlights prevented seeing the deer while it was still possible to avoid it, on the British bikes you were lucky to have ANY headlight since the electrics were made by Lucas The prince of Darkness, the Norton clutch cables broke so often I carried a spare, riding a Norton Commando 2-up on the highway long distance was considered abusive and a warranty violation (yes, absolutely true), Ducatis started when they damn well felt like it, BSA dismissed their bikes' awful brakes by saying "We make them to GO not stop", a toolkit was an absolute essential to carry on any Harley because HD felt that final factory assembly was strictly optional and temporary, and we all carried chain lube and chain adjustmen tools on any trip over 300 miles or so.

I LOVE the fact that my 2023 Harley has a very low maintenance belt, a headlight that car drivers "flash" me about because it's so bright, that I don't need to carry a tool kit (just a flat repair kit), and that I get good enough fuel mileage to cover more than 400 km without refilling, no ignition points to maintain, no carbs to tune, a 6-speed transmission, an instrument setup that proactively tells me when a critical component (like alternator or fuel injection) is looking unwell, and a seat that I can actually sit on without discomfort for 3.5 hours at a time.

At the time in 1970, I considered my Norton Commando Roadster and then my Honda CB750 Four (with FOUR individual carb cables to adjust!) to be wonderful compared to anything I had previously owned and ridden. But today, I realize they were fun and the best at the time, but just a temporary stop on the way to what we have today, and what we will likely have in the future. In over half a century of motorcycling, I've bought again "classic" bikes that I had owned before, but the second time round, their flaws were suddenly way more obvious when compared to current model motorcycles, and I couldn't justify keeping them.

Jim G
I lusted after a MotoGuzzi Millie GT back in the early 1990s, red frames and red painted everything! Recently I saw on and almost called in to take off work to drive three states to get it. But remembered what a good friend told me. He said let those old times, old bikes and old fun memories remain fun memories. Buying and riding them today could ruin those fond memories. I am probably not going to put the $2000ish into my 1997 Guzzi, with about 100,000 miles on it now, to get it running again. BUt it has served me well.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 07:32 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Powermankw
So... I don't know if I've ever activated it. I don't turn it off. But what I really want to know is what happens if it does activate? Does it cut throttle, apply brake? If traction is broke in the rear, does it stutter like ABS... Or is it smooth?

I'm just curious. I can turn it off, just want to know what that looks like.
Traction control, ABS bla bla bla. Might as well just have somebody else ride the bike for you.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 08:01 AM
  #19  
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See Post 9.
I believe this post answers part of the question the OP asked.
FWIW
You would also place the rear tire on grass/ foilage, place the bike into gear, and release the clutch to experience how Traction Control functions....but be careful... don't drop your motorcycle.

ABS is another story.
I too agree with post 18, I prefer no ABS.
But, if I stereotype Harley riders in an emergency stop, most just slam on the rear brake pedal, while wearing thick/ non-tactile boots, which locks the rear tire placing one into a skid/ slide.
Front-wheel braking is even another subject to the effect of ABS.
In this stereotyped rear wheel case, ABS may be a good option for many.

Remember this old statement Keep the rubber side down.
Have fun with your TC an ABS
 
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Old Aug 1, 2024 | 10:54 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Hey Man
Traction control, ABS bla bla bla. Might as well just have somebody else ride the bike for you.
I'm a real cave man... I have stone wheels.... Blah blah blah. Talk to Harley jack wagon, they are the ones that put it on.
 
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