BMW introduces cornering ABS for HP4

Antilock-braking system (ABS) is considered an important safety feature in  motorcycles. In international markets, majority of the motorcycles are offered with ABS, whereas in India, it’s a different story as very bikes have it. BMW Motorrad has been selling motorcycles with the ABS technology, but now they have gone a step ahead and introduced ABS Pro.

ABS Pro is the first lean angle-sensitive ABS system for a supersport motorcycle. The function ABS Pro represents a consistent refinement of the race ABS in that it now enables ABS-supported braking when cornering. ABS Pro is offered as a retrofittable option which can be bought from dealerships and is initially reserved exclusively for the top supersports model in the BMW Motorrad product range, the HP4.

This feature was conceived for use on public roads, where unexpected dangers can be found. While the race ABS in the HP4 already provides impressive  safety when braking in a straight line, the ABS Pro now goes a step further to offer increased safety when braking on bends as well. Here, ABS Pro prevents the wheels from blocking even when the brakes are applied quickly; this reduces abrupt changes in steering force on shock-braking manoeuvres and stops the motorcycle from rearing up unintentionally.

Technically speaking, ABS Pro adapts ABS control to the motorcycle's banking angle depending on the current situation on the road. In order to determine the bike's banking angle, the system draws on the signals for roll rate, yaw rate and transverse acceleration as provided by the sensor cluster - which are already used for Dynamic Traction Control and for the electronic suspension DDC Dynamic Damping Control. As the banking angle increases, the brake pressure gradient is limited more and more at the start of the brake manoeuvre. This means that the pressure build -up is slower. In addition to this, pressure modulation within the ABS control range is more even. The benefits of ABS Pro to the rider are a sensitive response and a high level of brake and ride stability together with the best possible deceleration on bends.

BMW is charging €380 (Rs 31,000) for the ABS Pro which is a very good price for this technology. Expect some of these units to make its way to Indian dealerships as few HP4 motorcycles have been sold in India.