I really can't see the point of having 3 rider modes on a bike like this. Not exactly going to tear the tarmac off the road is it, lets be honest here its a load of rubbish "upgrades" that no one really wants or will benefit from. Should have made more of an effort with that suspension and a fuel gauge that's what it needs not much else. I hate the modern clocks and prefer my 2014 model ones, the headlight is a waste of money and who really rides their 9t at night and led indicators you can get from china for about £6, tubeless makes sense but not much else. I don't think i'll be rushing to shell out £7000 extra on it.
Wow, quite some strong feelings and vitriol there
Agree with your point about riding modes; it does seem a little silly for what is meant to be a back to basics bike. However as someone has already pointed out, if you are going to implement ride by wire, then the riding modes effectively come as free issue. Perhaps they might even add cruise control to future models.
The LED indicators are not a significant upgrade; it seems to be more about conformance with the other new / revised models to keep consistency across the range as to not have two different sets of indicators. As you say, no real benefit provided by the upgrade.
Personally I quite the LED headlight and would welcome installing this on my R NineT for improved visibility at night (yes, I ride it at night as part of my commute to work
) and being seen by other vehicles at all times of day (day time running light more effective than halogen). Also far more reliable than filament bulbs, which can be disconcerting if they die whilst riding at night (low probability, high consequence).
Agree that a fuel gauge would have been a cheap and easy improvement; shame it didn’t make it through.
