▲ Touring Family ROAD KING
The new electronic control system for assisting the rider
HARLEY-DAVIDSON announced that all 32 units of the 2020 model, including the new Low Rider S of the Softail family, which were first published in the US market, will be sold. At the same time, they announced that the new rider support safety technology "Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS)" will be installed to the Touring family and Trike, except some 2020 models.
What I want to focus on this time is this new electronic control system. This system is a new technology that helps the rider to control the motorcycle during acceleration, deceleration, and braking. It is particularly effective under bad road condition or an emergency. Specifically, I would like to explain the following system based on the manufacturer's release but in an easy to understand system.
■ Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB)
Briefly, it is about the front and rear Linked Brake System. It is a system that optimizes the distribution of front and rear braking force by detecting the lean angle (lateral G in the case of Trike) when the rider is using the front and rear brakes. It seems to be a mechanism that strengthens the linkage between the front and rear brake during stronger braking. Specifically, even when only the front brake is used, the rear brake is also operated, and the left front caliper is operated even when only the rear brake is used. As a result, braking performance and responsiveness are enhanced, and balanced braking performance can be exhibited in various scenes.
■ Cornering ABS (C-ABS)
When a wheel lock is detected during braking, it is a system that prevents an uncontrollable wheel lock by operating the front and rear brakes independently. This is called Cornering Enhanced ABS. The braking force is optimized in response to the lean angle of the motorcycle (lateral G in the case of the Trike).
■ Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS)
This is the so-called Cornering Enhanced Traction Control which is a system that prevents excessive slip to the rear tire during acceleration when driving straight or when cornering. The effective situation is in rainy weather and on unpaved roads. The system has two modes and can be turned off, and the degree of intervention is optimized according to the road surface condition and lean angle of the motorcycle.
■ Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS)
This is a system that reduces excessive rear wheel slip when the rider suddenly down-shifted or decelerated on slippery roads. When the rear-wheel slip is detected during deceleration, the engine torque supply will be adjusted. This seems to be a mechanism like a so-called slipper clutch.
■ Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
This is a support function that prevents excessive rolling of the wheel during a temporary stop on a steep slope or a steep downhill from a parking lot (excluding trike). This seems to be something like a hill start assist function that is common in 4 wheels vehicle. This is especially useful for the Touring family, which are heavy models.
Some of these systems have already been introduced to HARLEY-DAVIDSON's first electric bike "LiveWire". From now on, it seems that the electronically controlling will proceeded to the conventional model, including the Touring family of the highest class. If this improves safety margins and makes it safer and more sporty to ride Harley, it would be much better. I would like to keep an eye on HARLEY-DAVIDSON, which has been rapidly advancing their innovation recently.
See HARLEY-DAVIDSON Moto Index Page
See Accessories for HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL LOW RIDER
See Accessories for HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR ROADKING
