Bosch invents motorcycle stability control

Twenty-four per cent of all motorcycle accidents occur around corners; 5,000 motorcyclists lost their lives on the roads of Europe in 2009. 

An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) can prevent a quarter of the number of two-wheeler road accidents. 

Automobile technology major Bosch has come up with Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC), that is an advancement of the company’s Anti-lock braking system with the use of sensors and sophisticated software. 

Designed for high performance motorcycles the Bosch MSC system works within fractions of a second to limit wheel slippage under acceleration and deceleration, while cornering or riding in a straight line, allowing  riders to enjoy the full potential of their motorcycle without adverse consequences.

The MSC system registers the driving dynamics of a motorcycle using an array of sensors, wheel sensors measure the rotational speed of the individual wheels,  while an inertia sensor monitors the motorcycle’s lean and pitch angles more than 100 times a second. 

Using the difference between the rotational speeds of the front and rear wheels along with specific parameters such as tyre size, shape and sensor location, the ABS unit hooked to the bike’s onboard computer calculates the limit of brake force that can be applied on the basis of lean angle. 

The result is that the pressure modulator in the hydraulic braking system lowers and increases brake pressure within fractions of a second to provide lock free braking for each wheel. 

MSC regulates the maximum engine torque on different road surfaces to avoid wheel slippage over surfaces with inadequate traction. The system works with the company’s electronic Combined Brake System (eCBS) and applies the correct amount of brake force to each wheel while cornering to stop the wheels from locking and sending the bike sliding, thereby stabilising the bike. MSC also reduces the motorcycle’s tendency to return to an upright position under hard braking during cornering.

eCBS is active at all times and even balances brake force distribution between the two wheels even when a rider uses only one of the two brakes. 

The Bosch MSC also features wheelie-mitigation and rear-wheel lift-up mitigation. Wheelie-mitigation controls engine torque to stop the front wheel from lifting off the ground while ensuring maximum acceleration. The rear-wheel lift-up mitigation system ensures the back wheel stays in contact with the road to avoid applying maximum brake force on the front wheel on high friction surfaces. 

Bosch’s new Motorcycle Stability Control like its ABS system will undoubtedly save many lives and prevent countless accidents. However, these systems cannot defy the laws of physics in case of major rider errors. But it will allow riders to extract more performance out of their bikes more of the time. 

Also read: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)