Photo: Catalin Garmacea
ABS and braking systems themselves are becoming more and more complex as the safety requirements from both the law regulators and customers themselves are higher by the year. Continental announces another new technology called Optimized Braking Curve, which will be integrated with its MIB (Motorcycle Integrated Brake) system.
As the very name of the system says it, we’re dealing with a system which adds to the safety of using the brakes while leaned into a turn. Not exactly a breakthrough in the business, Continental’s Optimized Braking Curve is however yet another option to choose from, and you know the drill – more options lead to progress. Bosch got involved with KTM and came up with the whole MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) paradigm, so Continental went the BMW way. The system will debut with BMW’s recently introduced S1000XR sport-adventure bike, which will arrive in the summer of 2015.
Basically, the wheels would either lock (non-ABS bikes) or simply slide out of grip because of the disproportionate speed reduction correlated with the position of the bike relative to the road. The Optimized Braking Curve introduces new algorithms based on multiple readouts from an extensive array of sensors and the result is a much smoother and precise brake force modulation.
The Motorcycle Integrated Brake system receives data from the sensors which indicate the speed of both wheels, the roll and pitch rates and lateral acceleration, so the specialized onboard computer can determine the exact position of the bike. With 100 readings and calculations per second, the system knows exactly what’s happening with the bike’s stability factor in each moment and makes the necessary revisions on the fly.
The result is that the system knows how to modify the brake pressure deployment at the beginning of braking, allowing the stopping force to accumulate in a more gradual manner. Putting things bluntly, if you deathgrip the brakes as you understand you carry way too much speed into a turn or encounter ab obstacle, the system will help you out by providing the optimal brake force deployment.
Continental’s new technology works in conjunction with other safety and stability features which are to be implemented in upcoming bikes:
We remind you that EU safety regulations make ABS mandatory on any motorcycle with a displacement bigger than 125cc as of 1 January 2016 for newly developed models, while past 1 January 2017, any motorcycle sold in the EU must be equipped with ABS.
We have been present in Milan in early November when zie Germans introduced their new bikes to the world. We got out fair share of BMW S1000XR photos and already shared them with you. Funny thing that nobody bragged on the new Continental safety system... or maybe they just weren't ready to talk abouyt it. Anyway, it's good to see bikes becoming safer. Oh and if you want to learn more about the new bikes which showed up in Milan this fall, follow the link for our EICMA 2014 live coverage.
What does the Optimized Braking Curve do?
Bike builders and riders alike have noticed that using the brakes when leaned into a turn usually leads to losing balance because of the improper speed adjustments the braking system makes. ABS helped a bit to mend things, but the problem was far from solved.Basically, the wheels would either lock (non-ABS bikes) or simply slide out of grip because of the disproportionate speed reduction correlated with the position of the bike relative to the road. The Optimized Braking Curve introduces new algorithms based on multiple readouts from an extensive array of sensors and the result is a much smoother and precise brake force modulation.
The Motorcycle Integrated Brake system receives data from the sensors which indicate the speed of both wheels, the roll and pitch rates and lateral acceleration, so the specialized onboard computer can determine the exact position of the bike. With 100 readings and calculations per second, the system knows exactly what’s happening with the bike’s stability factor in each moment and makes the necessary revisions on the fly.
The result is that the system knows how to modify the brake pressure deployment at the beginning of braking, allowing the stopping force to accumulate in a more gradual manner. Putting things bluntly, if you deathgrip the brakes as you understand you carry way too much speed into a turn or encounter ab obstacle, the system will help you out by providing the optimal brake force deployment.
Continental’s new technology works in conjunction with other safety and stability features which are to be implemented in upcoming bikes:
- Particularly sensitive lift-off detection for the rear wheel for optimum deceleration and stability (Rear Wheel Lift-Off Protection, RLP).
- Electronic traction control (Traction Control System, TCS) steps in whenever a motorcycle threatens to get out of control due to excess speed, extreme banking or too much slip. Motor management and/or braking reins in power so that a motorcycle can regain stability.
- Wheelie control regulates engine torque to prevent the front wheel from lifting off during acceleration.
We remind you that EU safety regulations make ABS mandatory on any motorcycle with a displacement bigger than 125cc as of 1 January 2016 for newly developed models, while past 1 January 2017, any motorcycle sold in the EU must be equipped with ABS.
We have been present in Milan in early November when zie Germans introduced their new bikes to the world. We got out fair share of BMW S1000XR photos and already shared them with you. Funny thing that nobody bragged on the new Continental safety system... or maybe they just weren't ready to talk abouyt it. Anyway, it's good to see bikes becoming safer. Oh and if you want to learn more about the new bikes which showed up in Milan this fall, follow the link for our EICMA 2014 live coverage.
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