What are the differences in Modes?

[SMSW]

Many modern new bikes have multiple modes, sport, cruising, rain, etc. What exactly does the ecu do to the engine's power output in different modes?

Does the hp output change, as if the ecu has retarded the ignition? Does the torque curve change from mode to mode? Or does the ecu simply change the throttle response - i.e. requiring more degrees of twist to achieve the same acceleration?

I realize that the engine has multiple maps and switching from mode to mode changes from map to map, so my guess would be that power, torque and the engine's response to throttle inputs changes from mode to mode. Is this correct?

 

[STumped]

I suspect that different brands/models might have different setups and I'm sure many others will chime in. I'm my case, my only experience with ride modes are with my K16. It has three modes: dynamic, road, rain. Think of road as "normal." In dynamic mode, HP/torque are the same but the throttle response is quicker. I find it to be too twitchy for my tastes so I leave it in road mode almost exclusively. Rain mode does soften the throttle response to be gentler when traction my be limited. It also caps the HP output to (I believe) 100 HP. But I might be wrong on the actual number. I have only used it a few times on wet roads but I do like the added security of not kicking the rear end out and having traction control step in.

Road reviews on others makes/models that I have read are similar but there may be slight differences across the different brands.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Mellow]

yeah, you have to check the oem websites to see what each setting does... in some cases you can adjust each mode as well.

The RT is similar to what Dave mentioned on his K16.. There's also an Eco mode but I'm not really sure what that does other than give you a bar to see to keep the bike in the most economical throttle setting.

The GSA has the above and also enduro and enduro pro which you can adjust setting in. Also, suspension is different in some modes on both bikes.

I use Road most of the time unless in twisties, where dynamic is great as it also stiffens up the supsension.

Rain mode is nice as it keeps YOU from hitting the throttle too hard in the rain, I'll take that help any day.

The Tracer had 1, 2 and 3. 1 being the most aggressive throttle and least ABS activation and 3 being the opposite for a psuedo rain-mode. The Tenre had 2 modes but I don't remember how intelligent it was, I always used 2 on that bike to reduce the twitchy throttle.

 

[STumped]

+1

I forgot all about the suspension settings tying into ride modes. Also, some bikes (mostly dual sports, I think) will deactivate the rear ABS and/or traction control (like Joe's GSA enduro mode) to allow you to lock/spin the rear wheel and slide when playing in the dirt.

As for my bike, I don't think suspension changes with different ride modes but I ride in road mode 99% of the time so I would hardly ever notice the change if it does. My bike is the first year of the K16's (10 years old when I bought it) so maybe later years do include suspension. Andy ( #amorely ) had a first gen K16 and just bought a brand new one so maybe he could inform us of any differences between the years.

Some sport bikes will let you set custom modes to tweak all the different settings (throttle response, how much/little intervention from ABS/TC, wheelie control, etc.) to your exact requirements.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

to see to keep the bike in the most economical throttle setting.

Just another reason to get one.

 

[W0QNX]

I leave mine in Dynamite mode all the time cuz that's just how I roll. No Eco on mine. I really should learn more about the BMW R1250RT bike I bought and ride. I have no idea if the torque curves bend or the ECU dips. Don't care much. I just leave it in Dynamite because it seems like I have to rotate the throttle less which makes it more like the ST1300 throttle. No idea if it affects the suspension but I have that set in cushy mode anyway.

I lied, I put it in Rain if I ride in the Rain. And since mine spends most of it's time in brain dead cruise control mode it doesn't matter too much which mode it's in.

I lied twice, while I was rolling down the off ramp today from 78 to a stop I looked down and saw my instantaneous fuel mileage read 784 miles per gallon (no lie, 784). Now that's Pro Eco mode but the 2019 RT doesn't have Pro's or Echos modes.

 

[amorley]

“Mode” controls more than just the throttle response. On my K1600 the Rain Mode does dampen the throttle response but it also increases the ABS response. I use it when it is raining and on wet roads, but also find it useful when riding on gravel.

 

[Daboo]

My F900 XR has two types of "modes". The engine modes are Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro. Like above, the Rain and Road modes also adjust the Dynamic ABS and Dynamic Traction Control. (Dynamic being it adjusts also for lean angle.)

Rain and Road modes still give you the full throttle response, just at a different rate. In Rain mode, once you get up in the rpm range, it responds like normal...I guess the idea being if you're going that fast with that high of rpms, you don't need to tamp down the throttle.

Dynamic mode is another thing entirely. Road mode is like a normal throttle. You twist the throttle and you get the engine response based on how far you twisted the throttle. In Dynamic mode, it seems to respond based on how fast you twisted the throttle. Like if I twist the throttle fast...I must want to go fast. And you do. A couple times, I forgot how responsive it was and twisted the throttle like I used to with my previous BMW. I got jerked back hard enough that my left hand was ripped off the handlebar. That'll put a grin on your face. In Dynamic mode, there are also no restrictions on the traction control or ABS.

Dynamic Pro gives you the ability to set all that yourself. You get Dynamic throttle response, but in my case I set the ABS and traction control to the same levels as Road mode.


That's the engine modes. There are two suspension modes as well. Road and Dynamic. Road is responsive enough for most riding, unless you're pushing it in the corners. Dynamic mode adjusts the rear shock to the road conditions. It takes umpty million readings per second and adjusts for how fast you're going and how the road surface is. The magazine reviewers knock the F900 XR for not having a fully adjustable suspension, but the engineers have done an excellent job on this. Road is smooth for traveling. Dynamic works extremely well for pushing things. It's not overly harsh and yet is responsive. If you gave me a fully adjustable suspension, I wouldn't be able to do better.

Chris

 

[TerryS]

I have A B and C power modes on my MT-10. There is no difference in the peak power output, but the modes differ in throttle sensitivity, from very direct to much more relaxed. I'm sure it depends on the bike, but my MT-10 has been remapped and has terrific throttle response so I usually use it in the most direct mode, unless I am feeling really tired and/or the road condition is poor, and then I will switch to a more relaxed response.

The MT also has a couple of suspension modes that adjust the compression and rebound settings automatically (firm and firmer in my view), and three traction control modes; I leave TC in the most sensitive position as I'm no drifter. The latest models add lift control and wheelie control as they have an IMU to measure chassis dynamic movement.

 

[ST1100Y]

“Mode” controls more than just the throttle response.

Dunno... a friend's spouse of 60 some years has an NC750X DCT as "retirement present" and got hit by a house while in [SPORT]... or was that the other way around?
Anyhow, that NC took off at green, across the street, over the curb and sidewalk, T-boning a brick-wall... with her hanging on like a wet rag...
Fortunately no physical harm, the NC suffered a bend fork tube... as the bike was brand new covered by full comprehensive insurance (small deductible though)...

Since then that selector remains in [STANDARD]... always...