Retrofittable ABS Pro exclusively for the
HP4.
Munich. BMW Motorrad presented the S 1000 RR in 2009 - not just
its first supersports bike but also the first motorcycle of this
type to be fitted with ABS. That same year saw the first racing
victory by a supersports motorcycle with ABS at the 24-hour race in
Barcelona.
Since the introduction of this Race ABS in 2009, BMW Motorrad
has offered an ABS tailored specifically to the needs of
supersports bikes, providing a significant increase in active
braking safety in this segment, too. 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 acquired through BMW Motorrad
dealerships and is initially reserved exclusively for the top
supersports model in the BMW Motorrad product range, the HP4.
The function was deliberately conceived for use on public roads,
where unexpected dangers can always potentially lie in waiting.
While the Race ABS in the HP4 already provides a very high degree
of safety when braking in a straight line, 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 DTC 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.
The influence exerted by ABS control will depend on the riding
mode configured. ABS Pro is available to its full extent in the
modes "Rain" and
"Sport". During the pre-ride check, the display "ABS Pro" in the
instrument panel in conjunction with the modes "Rain" and "Sport"
indicates to the rider that the ABS Pro function is available. By
contrast, the "Race" and "Slick" modes for very sporty, experienced
riders do not support the ABS Pro function since it is deliberately
designed to be used on roads.
Although ABS Pro provides valuable support and is an enormous
safety bonus for the rider when braking on corners, it can in no
way redefine physical limits. It is still possible to exceed these
limits due to misjudgement or riding errors, which in extreme cases
can result in a fall.
ABS Pro was not developed to enhance individual braking
performance when braking on bends - especially not on race tracks.
Its purpose is to enable safer use of the HP4 within physical
limits on public roads, for example in the event of unexpected
dangers arising on bends. At the same time, the ABS Pro function
can also be used in the "Rain" and "Sport" modes by less
experienced riders so as to achieve significantly increased safety
when undertaking their first rides on a race track.
The ABS Pro function is available as a retrofit solution for the
BMW HP4 from the end of October 2014.
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad
rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
If you have any queries, please contact: Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group
is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles
and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility
services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production
and assembly facilities in
13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140
countries.
In 2013, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.963 million cars and
115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the
financial year 2013 was € 7.91 billion on
revenues amounting to approximately € 76.06
billion. As of 31 December 2013, the BMW Group had a workforce of
110,351 employees.
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For further press / media information contact:
Scott Croaker
Product Communications Manager
783 Springvale Road
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 9264 4150
mailto: scott.croaker@bmw.com.au
Miles Davis
Marketing Manager Motorrad
783 Springvale Road
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 9264 4021
mailto: miles.davis@bmw.com.au