What do you think about the riding modes? Do you find them useful?

that's not the case on my bike. Rider mode on, always on (unless changed by me).
 
that's not the case on my bike. Rider mode on, always on (unless changed by me).
I tested this on my bike. If Rider mode is set to have TC, then Rider mode stays selected when you shut down and start up again. But if you have Rider mode set to turn TC off, then the bike changes the current ride mode to Road the next time you turn it on (though Rider mode still has TC off).