Bosch's new motorcycle stability system that makes braking, accelerating at corners safer

Bosch has developed a motorcycle stability control (MSC) that ensures safety and stability in all riding situations. So if you are braking hard while leaning into a bend on a slippery road or accelerating on wet surface, the MSC system will ensure that you can do so without a mishap. MSC supports the biker during both braking and accelerating, and while riding straight as well as while cornering. The system will be available at the end of 2013 with the KTM 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R 2014 models.

The MSC is basically a further improved ABS, with enhanced electronics and sensors.The system constantly measures all key motorcycle data: wheel speed, lean angle, pitch angle, acceleration, braking pressure and many more. This data helps recognise critical situations and informs ABS to intervene, thereby preventing the wheels from locking when braking, stopping the wheels spinning and preventing the front and rear wheels from lifting. The system also ensures that braking force is distributed optimally over both wheels.

The traction control regulates torque and allows better grip. The eCBS electronic combined brake system distributes brake force between the wheels, and stabilises the bike during cornering.

Wheel sensors measure the rotational speed of the front and rear wheels, and an inertia sensor module computes the vehicle's lean and pitch angles more than 100 times per second. By analysing the sensor data, the difference in speed between front and rear wheels, as well as other motorcycle-specific parameters such as tyre size, tyre shape, and sensor location, the ABS control unit calculates the physical limits of brake force on the basis of lean angle.

If the MSC recognises that a wheel is starting to lock, the ABS control unit activates the pressure modulator in the hydraulic brake circuit. This lowers the brake pressure and builds it up again within a fraction of a second, with the result that exactly as much brake pressure is applied as is necessary to keep each wheel from locking.

"Almost one in two fatal motorcycle accidents occurs in a bend. The Bosch MSC motorcycle stability control can help further reduce the number of accidents," said Gerhard Steiger, president - Bosch Chassis Systems Control division.