Rider Moto Magazine | Vol.3 | Octobre 2020

ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSISTANCE:
INDISPENSABLE
Used in the automobile world for over three decades, electronic guidance systems started to
become a presence in the motorcycle market much more recently.
Many still claim that they restrict the power and pleasure of steering, but this is simply not true.
It just takes time to familiarize yourself with the controls and adapt your riding to feel their many
benefits. These systems work not for you, but with you, extending your abilities and offering a
calmness that allows you to push your own limits, and those of the engine, in a safe and secure
way.
1. A central unit that controls the setup
More than 100 times per second, the 6-axis inertial unit (front, left, right, top, bottom, and pitch,
roll, and drift motions) and its sensors and gyroscopes examine many different parameters (angle
of incline or climb, opening of gas cylinders, gears used, grip) in order to get a clear idea of conditions
in real-time.
2. Adjustable mapping
This device allows you to choose between different injection maps, which makes it possible to
obtain a smooth or efficient power delivery.
3. Traction control with incline detector
The best acceleration or propulsion when coming out of a turn requires a certain level of drift.
Traction control allows an amount of slippage, by choosing the ideal gears for drifting, which allows
the motorcyclist to hit the limits of the machine’s traction, for ultra-efficient and safe corner exits.
4. ABS racing brakes
The most recent operational Bosch Race ABS 9.1MP prevents “low-side”, even at an angle, by
controlling the brake pressure to prevent locking and/or a reduction in performance due to heating.
It allows the pulsation of the ABS to be flattened for an improved feel in the lever, prevents the rear
of the vehicle from lifting, and provides constant deceleration by monitoring the level of engine
braking.
5. Anti-pitching
An electronic system that reduces the lifting of the front wheels when accelerating, to optimize
aerodynamics and reduce shaking.
6. Adjustable motor braking
The most recent electronic assistance systems allow for a precise level of engine braking when
entering a turn, according to conditions, speed, and the gear that the vehicle is in.
7. Gear shift assistance
Electronic gear shift assistance allows you to cycle through the gears without backing off the gas
or disengaging, and to shift back down without touching the clutch, handling the engine speed for
fast, gentle changes.
8. Launch control
Launch control allows for faster starts without any risk of error. The most sophisticated systems
control every aspect, even the engagement of the clutch.
9. Intelligent suspension
The electronically-controlled intelligent suspension system adjusts, in real-time, the compression
and rebound of the fork and the shock absorber, in order to obtain the optimal behavior and
geometry in a specific point on a track or on the road. Many travel and hybrid motorcycles (for
example the Ducati Multistrada) feature pre-loaded adjustment modes for solo or duo riding, or
riding with luggage.
10. One-way clutch with limited slippage
Providing mechanically assisted riding, the one-way clutch prevents rear wheel locking on fast
downshifts, which contributes greatly to stability in braking and in entering turns.
Par/By Pascal Bastien
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