How Does Motorcycle Traction Control Work?

Your safety is the most crucial aspect of your riding life. And that’s why you should know how does motorcycle traction control work?

Motorcycle traction control works by gathering data that can be further modified and collected and utilizing the power gathered by data. 

Worry not! In this article, we will clear all your confusion regarding motorcycle traction control. 

How Does Motorcycle Traction Control Work? 

Motorcycle traction control works by gathering data that can be further modified and collected and utilizing the power gathered by data.

Motorcycle traction reduces or even completely stops the power supply by limiting the fuel supply to the motorcycle. Although it’s not a great and smooth option, it’s a great option to control motorcycle traction. 

Most interestingly, this process is now controlled by modem wiring technology. Not only does this diminish human error but it boosts the confidence of riders to keep you safe. 

What’s the Importance of ABS in the Motorcycle Traction? 

So, what is the importance of ABS for a motorcycle? You might not use ABS that frequently but it will significantly differ when you need it the most.

There is long and extensive research data available that proves the importance of this unit on your bike. Any chances of fatal crashes on a bike with ABS are reduced by up to 31%.apart from that.

In addition, accident insurance claims are filed 20% less on motorbikes with ABS. And this percentage increases to 31% for the bikes that come with combined control ABS with both wheel brakes applied together.

Another study stated that bikes over 250cc that don’t have ABS are 37% more likely to get involved in a crash. Yet another study has found that all severe motorbike accidents on 125cc and above could have been reduced up to 48% if the bike had ABS on it.

So, that data shows that ABS adds a layer of protection for all motorcycles. But still, this unit remains an option and not a mandate in North America. However, Europe in 2012 stated that all 125cc bikes and higher sold after 2016 would feature ABS.

Misconceptions About Motorbike ABS

Asking about the importance of ABS despite the evidence is quite confusing. This is primarily because people raise questions about its operation and effectiveness due to certain myths and misconceptions.

ABS is always in operation, and it prevents quick slowing down

This is not entirely true because while the unit is continuous, it monitors the signals coming from the wheel sensors. It will not make any changes to the brake pressures until it detects a lock condition.

Not all motorbikes can have ABS

Primarily there are two main types of braking systems. You can find traditional braking systems, and some bikes come with combined braking systems too. Traditional systems allow you to brake both wheels independently. An integrated system will enable you to brake both wheels combined. Both these braking systems can have ABS.

An ABS unit is pretty heavy, and it adds a lot of weight to your bike

This one is only partially true as well. ABS units of the earlier times were taken directly for the automobile industry. They were relatively heavy as they featured various components from the automobiles.

Such a unit on a car will only weigh around 15 pounds, and that’s only a fraction compared to a 4000 lbs car. But a motorcycle weighs much less. So, the results will be quite different when you add a 15 pound ABS unit to a 150 lbs motorbike.

But the newer ABS units are explicitly for motorbikes, and they can only weigh around one and a half pounds. This weight will not affect much on the overall weight, so there is no excuse for not having ABS because it’s too heavy.

ABS unit clutters up motorcycles

This is more of a complaint from the naked bike lovers. The bikes that have full or even half fairings can comfortably hide the ABS unit right behind its bodywork, and you won’t even notice that it’s there or not.

Bikes with ABS are costly

Comparing a bike with ABS and one without it will indicate that both of them have a price difference that might range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. But even the most experienced and safe riders can experience fatal accidents. Therefore, personal safety should be mandatory.

How Does This ABS Unit Work?

To understand the importance of ABS for a motorcycle, you need to find out how it works. With the help of this unit, your stopping power will significantly increase. Apart from that, this unit will also make braking a lot safer because your tires will not skid no matter how hard you press them.

That wheel sensor and the one ring send a signal to the unit at a particular frequency. But most of the magic happens when the unit reacts according to the signal. A module receives these signals and counts the number of signals sent by the tone ring and the sensor on your bike’s wheel.

It knows when the wheel is about to lock when a sudden change in the frequency of the signals is received. Then, there will be a sharp decline, and the number of pulses that reach the unit will almost be zero.

At this point, the ABS unit will slightly reduce the pressure on the braking system, primarily on the brake calipers. This will allow the wheels to spin and then reapply the brake force. If there is another locking situation in occurrence, it does the same again.

This unit can read these signal pulses approximately around 100 times in a second. Furthermore, it can make adjustments to the pressures up to 10 times a second. Thus, it can react to signals much faster than the reflexes of most people

Why You Should Wear Helmet While Seeing Motorcycle Traction? 

When drifting or even seeing the motorcycle traction, you need to wear a helmet. Why we’re saying this is because of the following reasons. 

According to NHTSA, motorcycle helmets saved more than 1800 lives in 2016. Yes, you read right! And according to the same study, approx 802 more people could save their lives if they wore helmets while riding.  

Now let’s see how much the US could save if every rider wore helmets. 

According to the NHTSA study released in June 2017, if all riders wear helmets, the US alone can save $1 billion per year. 

Think in this way; if all riders wear helmets, our government can use the $1 billion for good use. 

If you’re a rider and always wear a helmet while riding, your helmet decreases your death risk by 37%.

Additionally, another study published on 23 January 2008 concluded that helmets could reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. Overall, helmets do save lives. 

We hope the above studies busted your confusion over motorcycle helmets. 

Please note that you can reduce the risk of head injury and death further if you choose reliable motorcycle gear.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Our Verdict: 

How does motorcycle traction control work? Motorcycle traction control works by gathering data that can be further modified and collected and utilizing the power gathered by data.

Motorcycle traction reduces or even completely stops the power supply by limiting the fuel supply to the motorcycle. Although it’s not a great and smooth option, it’s a great option to control motorcycle traction.