Modes, S and T, my thoughts.

[Longdog Cymru]

Well, I am 1000 miles into my first big trip on my (new to me), Super Ten, so that’s halfway for this trip around Holland, Germany and a little bit of Poland.

When I bought my Super Ten two months ago, I tried the S and T modes and decided that I preferred the S mode. However, on the second day of this trip, for some reason I thought that I would give the T mode a try. Initially, it felt a little like riding through treacle, or molasses if you are in North America, but I persisted and it all clicked into place.

The T mode is really suitable for touring, you know, where you amble along enjoying the ride and the views but it still has the get up and go when you need it, although I will add that I have found down-changing a gear or two helps if you need a rapid overtake, whereas the S mode has a much more instant effect when you twist the grip.

All in all, I am enjoying the Super Ten, (mine is a 2017 Gen 2), it is smooth and yet you always know that you have a motorcycle engine underneath you that has that lovely mechanical feel that you just don’t get from an in-line multi- cylinder motorcycle.

 

[ace50]

I've enjoyed all the 4 cyl. bikes I've had. They have a broader power band and don't seem to lug as easy.
I'm just now enjoying the S10 (1st gen) after finally getting it re-flashed. Always disappointed in it before.
Although I'm always in 'T' mode as 'S' is very........lets say.........gung-ho!

 

[Nikolajsen]

99,9% of the time, I drive in "T" mode.

 

[Thrasherg]

I have to sya I have tried S & T modes and definitely prefer S mode, I wonder if T mode gives better MPG on longer touring rides, but I didn't notice any significant difference. The S mode is just more responsive and gives better engine braking!! Each to their own..

Gary

 

[EricV]

I've always left it in S mode. On occasion it gets bumped into T mode and I don't notice, until the next downshift. The extra throttle movement needed throws off my down shift and I realize I'm not in S mode. I don't really notice any performance changes between the modes, only that the amount of throttle tube rotation required for the same results is greater in T mode than in S mode.

 

[ace50]

I have to sya I have tried S & T modes and definitely prefer S mode, I wonder if T mode gives better MPG on longer touring rides, but I didn't notice any significant difference. The S mode is just more responsive and gives better engine braking!! Each to their own..

Gary

Yes to each their own. I prefer the less eng. braking with the re-flash!
I am curious what the re-flash did to my MPG's though. Will know sometime this week!

 

[EricV]

@ace50 - Curious, what bike did you come from before the Super Ten, and why do you prefer less engine braking?

I ask because I came from an FJR, (FZ1 before that), and much like the stock engine braking. It's something I use as part of my riding style, (The Pace).

 

[ace50]

@ace50 - Curious, what bike did you come from before the Super Ten, and why do you prefer less engine braking?

I ask because I came from an FJR, (FZ1 before that), and much like the stock engine braking. It's something I use as part of my riding style, (The Pace).

Well, of the 7 prior bikes I've had, none had the decel like the S10, and I'm specifically talking about the excessive braking in 'S' mode, of which Anthony removes (lowers) in a re-flash!

 

[EricV]

I understand what Anthony does with the re-flash. A great option for those wanting some tweaks. What I'm asking is why you prefer less engine braking?

The inline 4 bikes I've previously ridden all had less engine braking, but I don't find the Super Ten's engine braking in S mode to be an issue and rather like it. I modulate speed prior to corners more with engine braking than with the brakes, (which I've always done), but don't find the engine braking intrusive, just a bit of a learning curve and more precise throttle management required.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

I have to sya I have tried S & T modes and definitely prefer S mode, I wonder if T mode gives better MPG on longer touring rides, but I didn't notice any significant difference. The S mode is just more responsive and gives better engine braking!! Each to their own..

Gary

Hi Gary, I tend to favour S mode too for my normal everyday riding, it was just that I tried T mode and found it particularly suitable for the kind of riding I am doing while touring around. To me, T mode is less demanding and commited. I found that you definitely need a bigger handful of throttle to get similar results, (I think I mentioned dropping a gear or two in my original post?), but I can categorically say that fuel consumption appears to be the same whichever mode I was using. I can’t honestly say that one mode actually gives better engine braking than the other but it may be a perceived effect as S mode is definitely perkier.

 

[ace50]

I understand what Anthony does with the re-flash. A great option for those wanting some tweaks. What I'm asking is why you prefer less engine braking?

The inline 4 bikes I've previously ridden all had less engine braking, but I don't find the Super Ten's engine braking in S mode to be an issue and rather like it. I modulate speed prior to corners more with engine braking than with the brakes, (which I've always done), but don't find the engine braking intrusive, just a bit of a learning curve and more precise throttle management required.

There, you answered it!

Also the S10, you sit in a very neutral upright position, no lean back or front to support you. At least with my 3.5 higher bars. I like this myself (comfortable) This causes the hands on the handlebars to support you on accel or decel.

 

[EricV]

So you prefer a less precise throttle?

 

[ace50]

So you prefer a less precise throttle?

Ya, to make you happy.....................lets just go with that!

 

[WJBertrand]

I use S mode 90% of the time and T mode mostly for slow in-town or traffic riding. Sometimes I use T on particularly tight, slow technical twisty or bumpy roads. Off road I'm almost always in T mode. I've had my ECU reflashed by Jett Tuning using the Flash Tune software.

 

[ace50]

I'm 90% T mode as I ride hyway (S or T makes no diff, just at speed) then in through town with traffic.
Now it I were to take a 'trip', I would prob use S mode most of the time.

 

[EricV]

Ya, to make you happy.....................lets just go with that!

Just trying to understand. Guys coming from carb bikes tend to have some work to adapt to throttle by wire, especially if they have not had an efi bike in-between, but that doesn't seem to be a factor for you.

I'm trying hard to avoid the impression that guys that like less engine braking are just sloppy riders unwilling to take the time to learn to manage the throttle better. Still trying...

Most of what I use the bike for is going places. Not that I don't do day rides, but it's not why I have the bike. For my riding, I wouldn't notice 90% of what the flash is reported to do. I would notice the loss of engine braking, but as said, I prefer what stock offers over less. To me, it's just another tool in the box that I can use while riding. Not having it means I use other tools instead. (down shifting or braking) I've BTDT on other bikes. It's fine, but I'd rather have more tools than less. I can always down shift or brake on any bike, including the Super Ten.

 

[Dogdaze]

99,9% of the time, I drive in "T" mode.

Me too, if in S-mode and riding slowly on bumpy road the bike starts seesawing, I really hate that.
I'm the same as EricV, I like the engine braking, saves a lot of brake wear, especially where I live.

 

[Sierra1]

In my opinion, if a person does not do much city driving, "T" will be preferred. Only because to truly enjoy/embrace "S", wrist recalibration is needed. And highway droning does not get you used to "S". For ME, immediate on/off of "S" is what city driving requires. And, like Eric, I use my engine braking as a tool; large displacement twins have tons of engine braking. I only use "T" when I have a passenger because she is not used to the instantaneous throttle response, and hates the see-sawing that Dogdaze mentioned.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

To me, it seems like “ horses for courses “, I found a use for T mode that suited me at that particular time. Likewise, there are situations when nothing but S mode will do. There is no “ One size fits all “, so people should not be criticised for using the mode of choice that suits them.

For the record, I came to the Super Ten from Gen 1 Kawasaki Versys, which as you surely know is an in-line 4 cylinder motorcycle. I would be hard pressed to say which has the most engine braking, the Versys or the Super Ten, as both have a considerable amount of braking on a closed throttle.

 

[Nikolajsen]

Me too, if in S-mode and riding slowly on bumpy road the bike starts seesawing, I really hate that.

Exactly!!