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this is a good thing, but if i remember correctly some bikes already have a working traction control system, is this just an alternative, or a better option.

As far as I know, Traction Control system works to ensure that you don't lose traction under acceleration whereas a Motorcycle Stability Control system works to ensure that you don't lose traction when you brake. So its different, but both are essentially doing the same thing.

ABS does the job of ensuring traction under braking. ESC/DSC/... various manufacturers call it differently is a stability system and this ensures traction under all circumstances such a accelerating, braking and the in-between.

Safety functions of MSC
1) The lean and pitch angle-dependent ABS control improves riding stability in all riding situations as well as braking effectiveness.

2) The traction control regulates the maximum engine torque so that even on variable or slippery road surfaces, the driving force is efficiently transferred to the road and the drive wheel does not lose its grip.

3) When braking heavily in curves, the MSC reduces the motorcycle's tendency to return to an upright position. This involuntary righting of the machine leads to a larger cornering radius, which often results in the motorcycle leaving its lane. In these situations, the eCBS electronic combined brake system creates the best possible distribution of brake force between the wheels, and thus stabilizes the bike during cornering.

4) The MSC also reduces the risk of "lowsiders". These are accidents in which the motorcycle capsizes during cornering and the wheels slide out toward the outside of the bend. They occur when too much brake force is applied during cornering and the wheels are not able to transfer sufficient side force onto the road. MSC counteracts this by detecting the risk of a lowsider and limiting the maximum brake force. The eCBS function distributes this maximum available brake force between the wheels, ensuring the best possible brake performance under cornering conditions.

5) The eCBS function ensures optimum distribution of brake force at all times - even when the biker mistakenly uses only one of the two brakes, or brakes with too much force.

6) The wheelie-mitigation controls the engine torque, preventing the front wheel from lifting uncontrollably and at the same time ensuring maximum acceleration.

7) The rear-wheel lift-up mitigation function keeps the rear wheel on the road by reducing the maximum brake force on the front wheel when riding on surfaces with high friction coefficients. Riding stability is maintained, taking pitch rate and longitudinal acceleration into account.

I am not sure if all these functions are provided by Traction Control system and ABS. Please enlighten.

Nice to see all this tech coming out, but here are my requirements:

For Indian conditions, I need a 6-speed 15 PS bike with FE of around 55, Traction Control, Motorcycle Stability Control, ABS and EBD. Automatic (not CVT) as a on/off option. Preferably all this in a cruiser design with both front and rear disc brakes and alloys.

Would such a bike ever exist ?

Woah? Such a ride will technically ride on its own, there would be almost nothing for the rider to do, except the basic controls. Why would you want to have something like that? I know safety is not an option to be ignored, but isn't that too much? Btw, in my opinion, such a bike will not exist.

Traction control plays not only when accelerating, but also when decelerating or may be under excessive engine braking or anything that matters. In simple words, It helps to hit the perfect traction for a specific surface for a specify riding style.


ABS just prevents locking up of wheels. Indirectly that hl's to active maximum deceleration without slipping off the line.

Personally, I'm quite skeptical of these new technologies, which, unfortunately, are sort of being pushed on us. I agree that ABS is good, especially on two-wheels, but we also need to know how to ride motorcycles without it, or all the other technical aids, or one day we won't be able to do anything without a computer thinking for us. Where will technology stop? Do we need so much assistance? Will this lead to us paying less attention to our riding?

It sounds to me MTC is like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which is now standard in virtually all new cars, at least here in Europe. You could say that ESC allows you to get it wrong. Overshoot a bend and the system self-corrects your trajectory, as much as possible. A problem I can see is that we can easily become overconfident with such technologies, and a little too dependent. We still need to be aware of the influence of cornering forces and so on. On a slippery road we just have to adjust our riding, with or without technical aids.

Sorry if I sound negative, but I find that some of these new technologies designed to make us safer are debatable. The new Volvo pedestrian airbag is a good example. A good idea, yes, for the vulnerable pedestrian, but does it mean we can now take more risks when approaching pedestrian crossings knowing that if we should hit a pedestrian, he/she will survive (hopefully)... or we will be able to brake on time (hopefully), and not skid (hopefully)...

And of course the more sensors the more opportunities for things to go wrong, especially in a dusty or wet environment