Honda announces ABS for sports bikes

Honda has announced its development of a revolutionary electronically-controlled combined ABS system developed specifically for sports bikes.

At a European Technical Workshop focusing on motorcycle safety at the LUK Driving Centre near Baden-Baden in Germany this week, Honda hosted over 150 motorcycle experts from across Europe to discuss varied safety issues concerning motorcycling, as well as demonstrate current and future initiatives which highlight Honda’s continued commitment to progressing motorcycle safety. These included the new electronically-controlled combined ABS system for sports bikes.

Traditionally, the design of sports bikes has meant that the application of ‘combined’ or ABS braking systems has not been practical. The short wheelbase of a sports machine causing it to ‘pitch’ under heavy braking, coupled with concerns over the weight of such a system has seen Combined Brake Systems and ABS traditionally placed on touring, adventure and sports touring machines.

This new and advanced ‘brake-by-wire-control’ system, with an innovative stroke simulator, employs the advantages of both ‘Combined’ and ‘ABS’ systems in one package to specifically address the requirements of a sports bike, provide superb stability, controllability and deceleration, whilst enabling the rider to maintain full control.

Direct motor control ensures precise operation of the ABS and the components are divided into several smaller units - smaller than in previous systems - meaning the system doesn’t add too much weight as light weight and optimum ‘mass centralisation’ is a key factor in the design of a modern sports bike.

The electronic control of the CBS allows for more advanced control of the braking forces and a more sensitive distribution of these forces over both wheels under heavy braking situations. The system measures the rider input on each lever and the ideal braking force is generated accordingly, providing optimum distribution and minimizing any disturbance to the handling of the machine. An ‘ABS modulator’ then ensures late but smooth triggering of the ABS system.

On the road all the basic functions of ABS and CBS are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance, stability and ease of operation. The handling characteristics of a sports bike are unaffected by the electronically controlled Combined ABS system, avoiding the ‘pitching’ effect of earlier systems, so that cornering and sports performance is uninterrupted.

Honda has been at the forefront of advanced braking systems for many decades. In 1969 Honda launched the CB750, a machine hailed as the first ever ‘superbike’ equipped with many innovative features, including disc brakes which performed markedly better than the drum brakes prevalent on machines of the time.

Since then Honda has been constantly developing new technology in braking systems. In 1992 Honda launched its ABS system on the ST1100 Pan European. This was followed in 1993 with the first Dual CBS system on a CBR1000F. CBS – or Combined Brake System – works by front and rear brakes being applied when only the front lever is used and vice-versa with the rear brake pedal. This system ensures maximum braking while keeping the machine stable when the brakes are applied. Integrating the benefits of both systems, Combined ABS was introduced on the ST1100 Pan-European in 1996. Since then, the application of advanced brake systems has been extended over a number of the Honda motorcycle models and in 2003, Honda President, Takeo Fukui, confirmed Honda’s commitment to motorcycle safety by offering these state-of-the-art braking systems on almost every bike model of 250cc and over, by 2010. The announcement of Honda’s development of a new braking system for sports bikes brings this closer to reality.

But advanced braking systems are just one area in which Honda is addressing motorcycle safety. In 2006, after 15 years of development, Honda launched the world’s first air-bag system on its GL1800 Gold Wing, marking a significant breakthrough in motorcycle safety which has been recognised across the globe with Honda receiving major awards for innovative safety technology.

Honda has been at the forefront of powered two-wheeler safety, employing ‘Preventive’, ‘Active’ and ‘Passive’ safety measures. The resulting technologies include the Motorcycle Riding Simulator and the Riding Trainer, both of which are used for hazard prevention training. Research is also being done to improve motorcycle recognition through enhanced visibility, and also to develop vehicle communication technologies.

Honda fully supports the EU targets for traffic fatality reduction and is well on its way to fulfilling its safety commitments under the European Road Safety Charter. While expanding its own safety activities and technologies, Honda also encourages a common approach to safety by the entire motorcycle and wider automotive community, believing that general market acceptance of all safety technologies is essential to exploit their full potential.

Further details of Honda’s new electronically-controlled combined ABS system developed specifically for sports bikes will be released later in the year, but details of the full Honda motorcycle range can be found at honda.co.uk/motorcycles.