Husqvarna Motorcycles
Since becoming part of the BMW Group on Oct. 1, 2007, Husqvarna has used the advancements engineered by BMW Motorrad to improve on its motorcycles.
This powerful relationship led to Husqvarna becoming the first motorcycle manufacturer to present ABS on an off-road racing motorcycle – the TE 449.
The system utilized on the TE 449 will be a “dual-channel” ABS, with components supplied from both BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna.
Husqvarna reports that the dual channel ABS system consists of “two wheel sensors and the associated pulse wheels for detecting the rotational speeds of the front and rear wheels, an ABS pressure modulator, a hydraulic system and an electronic control unit.
“Due to the particular dynamic requirements of off-road racing, ABS regulation occurs solely at the front wheel. The rear wheel brake is not regulated, so the rider can deliberately lock the rear wheel.”
Following is a report from BMW:
Currently, the ABS systems generally used in serial production motorcycles are only partially suitable for off-road use: their regulation specifications on surfaces such as gravel does not allow for maximum possible brake performance .
For this reason, the relevant parameters and in particular the slip thresholds in the Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS have been adapted for improved braking performance over rough terrain. Since there is no ABS regulation of the rear wheel, the specifications for road speed and wheel acceleration were also optimized. The additional use of the rear wheel rotational speed supports the reference speed for the front wheel, making the Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS particularly robust.
This technology is comparable to the “Slick” mode offered on the ABS of the BMW S1000RR. When “Slick” mode is used on the S1000RR, the system allows the rider to block the rear wheel for so-called brake drifts by deactivating the ABS function in the rear wheel. This is a fundamental riding dynamics function which an ABS must offer to be suitable for off-road racing purposes.
In practice, hobby enduro riders with sporty ambitions will especially benefit from the advantages offered by the Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS, which weighs just 1.5 kg. In addition to the clearly superior brake performance it provides as compared to existing serial production ABS systems, it also offers significantly increased braking safety and enhanced directional stability and ride stability at comparable road speeds.
The Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS supports the rider when braking, allowing him to concentrate fully on the track and providing enhanced braking safety in the threshold range in particular. Less stress and greater comfort are other positive effects which allow hobby enduro riders to stretch their personal limits and thereby enjoy even greater off-road fun.
The Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS has an adapted pressure point feel integrated in the system, thereby ensuring that the rider remains in touch with the regulation status. During braking within the regulation range, the rider feels a pulse in the handbrake lever – providing clear, transparent feedback on the braking manoeuvre.
The dual channel system of the Husqvarna Motorcycles Off-Road ABS also offers considerable potential for further development. For example, it would conceivable to provide two ABS modes for off-road and on-road use, activated separately by the rider, with ABS regulation of the rear-wheel brake for travelling on the road.
