Bosch developing Cornering ABS soon: Some journalists not convinced.

Bosch developing Cornering ABS soon: Some journalists not convinced.

ON OUR recent trip to the Bosch test facility in Germany, their boffins teased us with news that they're developing an ABS system that works when the bike is leaning and turning.

Their very neat and compact SU-MM5.10 lean angle sensor is capable of measuring yaw, roll and acceleration in three planes and samples at more than 100 times per second. It's processors like this that enable anti-wheelie and launch control systems to operate.

When pressed on the actual feasibility of perfecting cornering ABS their answers sounded like they'll never actually crack it because to remove that level of control from a rider is a hot bed of legal responsibility. Recent reports in another motorcycle publication claiming that this system is 'coming soon', appear to be misleading. It's not coming soon and if it is, it'll be a very rudimentary system that 'assists' the rider rather than doing the job of full ABS at full lean. That, after all, would be nigh-on impossible.

Here's just one instance why. There are times when carrying a lot of front brake - trail braking - into a turn helps the bike actually turn by compressing the forks and therefore reducing the trail and effectively steepening the head angle by pitching the whole bike forward through its steering axis. For the skilled rider, it can be a particularly useful technique to deal with a tightening radius corner. Cornering ABS will not allow you to do this, either. As the front tyre begins to reach its limits of grip the ABS will switch braking force to the rear. Can you imagine how horrible that would be? The whole attitude of the bike would change almost instantly, forcing the machine to change line and run wide. Not great on a left-hander. Also, how would the system differentiate between individual riding skills? Answer: it can't.

And while it's relatively easy to measure and calculate lean angle, there's no way that technology can determine grip levels which often have to 'felt' by the rider. In a corner - far more than in a straight line - weight distribution and braking force are a crucial part of what makes riding a motorcycle so hard - yet so enjoyable.

Despite some very clever and super-fast processing speeds and sensors, building an ABS system for bikes that works in corners is not happening anytime soon. Claim culture will put paid to that. Bosch, however are continuing their R&D in association with an un-named manufacturer.


Read more: Cornering ABS: Not coming soon - Motorcycle news : General news - Visordown

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Guys, despite all that Visordown has to say, I believe it makes sense to have basic cornering ABS on streetbikes and naked bikes.
But, It has to be really sensitive, sophisticated and full of sensors because on a straight road, you can escape even after a tyre locks on water sometimes even without ABS, but while leaning you lock it a little and you're going down no matter what. And don't even think about braking while leaning on wet roads- no ABS on earth should protect the rider then.
Well, journalists maybe doubting Bosch, but if there's one thing confirmed that is- Bosch have a serious challenge in front of them convincing the world. And afterall their system might not help newbies, who are in dire need of such systems, more than experts.

Thread approved and merged

You must mention the reasons too why that journalist was dumb.

As it is, most of these ladies are qualified in Journalism, and they might not necessarily have a biking or car experience, although that should be a criterion.

Actually, today's products make way for future products. So, I guess maybe the Cornering ABS of the future might come from this current ABS only, and we hope it has a lot of choices and options for tuning.

My ZMR is waiting for this upgrade !

ok very important question ! i really need abs on my FZ wanted to know if this system (atleast the abs 9 base) can seamless be integrated to the bike ??? i really dont care abt the cost !!

any new update

@sunny /mg/noor

hey guys any update on abs9 can we put abs9 plus on n650r/gt650r/r1

bosch abs

@ALL members of xbhp can we install a bosch abs9 system on 600cc-1000cc superbikes has any one used a bosch abs9 system on any bike in india

IS it available now in India?

well i want to know the same thing is it availabale in india can we use it on 600cc-1000cc superbikes

Hi Samarth! Just a few questions I hope you might have answers. Most importantly, people generally don't brake at corners except on high speed (that too on corner entry); As far as I know, an ABS enabled bike should let you lean at the maximum possible angle and that too with complete control (Please correct me if I am wrong)

What confuses me is, we lean at high speeds, doing cornering and if brakes are applied (rear in this case), will result in rear tyre losing traction and slipping.

However, if an ABS equipped bike is doing the same thing; we should be able to do that without being slipped. Is that right?

Also, Vinay has mentioned about ABS 9 enhanced version. Doesn't it will provide you the same thing? I mean if its an ABS with the reliability of one brake application, why do we need an altogether separate ABS system for cornering?

I mean in this case, I take corners with applying only one brake at a time...And what it is with the left handers and not the right one? Is it something to do with rider being left handed or right handed?

I would really appreciate if you or anybody else can throw some light on it...