Bosch Developed New Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) System

Bosch is known world wide for its technologies used in vehicles. These technologies include powertrain systems, driving safety systems, driving- comfort systems and other special systems for all kind of vehicles. Recently, Bosch has developed a Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) system for high-performance motorcycles. MSC is a advanced technology in motorcycle safety, which support the rider in all situations, during both braking and accelerating, and while riding straight as well as while cornering.

Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division says, “24 percent of all motorcycle accidents happen in bends,”. According to the digits, more than 5,000 bikers lost their life during 2009 in road accidents in Europe alone. Studies show that ABS on its own can prevent around one-quarter of all motorcycle accidents that lead to injury or death. Bosch's MSC will increase this number even further as it is mainly focused on-

Optimum braking and accelerating, even in bends
Reduced risk within the laws of physics
Motorcycle stability control can further improve road safety

The motorcycle stability control works with the Bosch ABS enhanced and Bosch SU-MM5.10 lean-angle sensor. The system uses an extensive array of sensors to register the driving dynamics of the machine. Wheel sensors measure the rotational speed of the front and rear wheels, and an inertia sensor module computes the vehicle's lean and pitch angles more than 100 times per second. By analyzing the sensor data, the difference in speed between front and rear wheels, as well as other motorcycle-specific parameters such as tire size, tire shape, and sensor location, the ABS control unit calculates the physical limits of brake force on the basis of lean angle.

The whole system offers motorcycle manufacturers and their demanding customers a following range of safety functions:

The lean and pitch angle-dependent ABS control improves riding stability in all riding situations as well as braking effectiveness.

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.

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.

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.

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