RBW is nothing more than idiot proofing a bike. Manufacturers are squeezing as much power as they can (within the limits of the EPA, Euro-4, etc) out of these motors. They are making 200hp plus bikes and selling them to the general public for higher MSRPs than the lower HP models. Then they add traction control, RBW, rider modes, etc, adding several thousand more to the MSRP, with these electronics that cut power and throttle response. That seems a little counter productive to me... All of this in an effort to put people with less than optimal riding skills on bikes with more power than these riders can handle, with computers that will keep them from ever experiencing the potential power of the bike they spent all that money on, due to the potential power it has... where do I sign up?!?!
What ever happened to learning how to ride, buying bikes that match your skill set, getting a new bike once your skills improve, having respect for the capabilities of the bike you bought, and finally... having some throttle control so a computer doesn't have to do it for you? The article in the link that was posted above stated one of the benefits of RBW was giving people the ability to buy a bike that is beyond their skill set, start in the lower performance settings and advance as their skill set improves. Am I the only one that sees something wrong with that idea? We are not talking about bike like the Rebel 250 in the lowest performance mode here. We are talking about super bikes, H2's, zx14's, Hayabusa's, etc as starter bikes because new riders have the ability to ride them in a low performance setting due the the benefits of RBW.
I am not totally against technology. I grew up right in the middle of carbs going out and EFI coming in and I saw the potential of that almost immediately. This new tech they are putting into cars and now bikes is just a way to idiot proof everything for the distracted generation! It is also about manufacturers trying to make bikes that anyone can ride, but based on performance capabilities, few should, and selling them at a higher price due to the performance and electronics packages that counter act that performance.
I'm just glad I got my Concours when I did if this is the way things are headed!!!