New technology for numerous Harley-Davidson models model year 2020

Harley-Davidson has been offering its products with an anti-lock braking system as standard for some time now. The Reflex braking system with electronic brake force distribution (ELB) has also been used in touring and trike models for years.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

The anti-lock braking system regulates the front and rear brakes independently of each other and prevents the wheels from locking when braking, so that the rider retains control of the machine in the event of emergency braking while riding straight ahead.

This prevents a crash caused by an overbraked front wheel and a rear wheel breaking away due to the rear wheel locking. Thanks to ABS, the machine can be decelerated much more safely. Anti-lock braking systems have been used by Harley-Davidson since 2008. All current Harley-Davidson models are equipped with ABS.

Reflex braking system with electronic brake force distribution (ELB)

The Reflex braking system is a dynamic electronic brake force distribution system (electronically linked brakes) for two-wheelers, which optimally regulates the braking forces acting on the front and rear wheels in every riding situation.

If you only brake at the rear, you automatically receive the appropriate support at the front wheel and vice versa. The brake pedal also acts on the front left brake disk in the direction of travel and the handbrake lever also acts on the rear brake disk.

The wheel that is not braked manually is applied with a maximum of 30 percent of the full braking power. The system is active as soon as a speed of around 40 km/h (25 mph) is exceeded.

When braking from lower speeds, the front and rear brakes can be manually controlled independently of each other, as with conventional brake systems. In this way, the Reflex braking system enables the driver to achieve shorter braking distances.

On trikes, the front and rear wheels are braked simultaneously when the brake pedal is pressed. Actuating the handbrake lever only affects the front wheel brake.

All Touring models have been equipped with this electronic brake force distribution system since model year 2014. A brake force distribution system has also been used on the trikes since then.
For the 2020 model year, numerous Harley-Davidson models are equipped with two new systems that enrich the motorcycle experience in previously unimagined ways: the Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) and H-D Connect.

The Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS)

The new electronic Harley-Davidson assistance systems (Reflex Defensive Rider Systems, RDRS) are not noticeable in normal operation; almost all riding maneuvers are the same as on machines without these systems, namely below the control range. The difference only becomes noticeable in dangerous situations, as the electronics then intervene to provide support.

Cornering anti-lock braking system (C-ABS)

The Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) is an advanced anti-lock braking system that also works when the bike is leaning. In this riding situation, the tire is generally able to transmit less braking force than when riding straight ahead, which is why it tends to lock up.

The cornering ABS works with Rear Wheel Lift Mitigation, which is based on the C-ABS sensors and a 6-axis motion sensor system to counteract the lifting of the rear wheel during heavy braking in model year 2020 and thus optimally harmonize the deceleration forces with the driver's braking commands.

In 2020, C-ABS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, trikes and touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide.

Reflex braking system with curve-optimized electronic brake force distribution (C-ELB)

In this system (Cornering Electronic Linked Braking), the dynamically acting electronic brake force distribution (Electronically Linked Brakes, ELB) works in a curve-optimized manner by incorporating the G-forces into the calculation of the braking force ratio between the front and rear brakes by means of a six-axle sensor.

The aim is to ensure optimum deceleration of the motorcycle even when cornering. In model year 2020, C-ELB is standard on all CVO models, trikes and all Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide.

Traction control system TCS

The TCS traction control system prevents excessive slip on the rear wheel when accelerating and thus supports the driver, particularly when tire grip is limited, for example in precipitation, on suddenly changing road surfaces or on unpaved roads.

In model year 2020, TCS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, trikes and all Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide.

C-TCS cornering traction control

The C-TCS cornering traction control system takes the current lean angle into account when intervening and also prevents excessive slip on the rear wheel when accelerating in bends.

The driver can choose between different C-TCS modes: Standard mode is optimized for dry roads, while Rain mode is optimized for wet roads. Traction control can also be deactivated completely. C-TCS also offers a wheelie control function to limit the height of the front wheel lift-off and the duration of the lift-off when accelerating.

C-TCS is standard on the LiveWire, the CVO models, the trikes and all Touring models with the exception of the Road King and the Electra Glide in model year 2020.

Drive Slip Control System (DSCS)

The DSCS (Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System) traction control system prevents slippage and locking of the rear wheel when coasting. If the DSCS detects excessive slip on the rear wheel during deceleration, it adjusts the peripheral speed of the wheel to the driving speed by regulating the engine torque.

The DSCS is active at speeds above around 17 km/h and works in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system to achieve optimum deceleration and controllable handling.

DSCS is therefore crucial for the performance of the ABS on the rear wheel. In model year 2020, DSCS is standard on the LiveWire, the CVO models, the trikes and the Touring models with the exception of the Road King and the Electra Glide.

Cornering traction control system (C-DSCS)

The C-DSCS (Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System) cornering traction control system also includes the current lean angle in its calculations. C-DSCS is standard on the LiveWire.

Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) vehicle hold assistant

This is an additional function of the ABS that automatically prevents the motorcycle from rolling away after the rider has released the brakes. This mainly involves stopping and waiting in traffic, for example uphill in front of a stop sign, downhill in slow-moving traffic or on a steep parking garage ramp.

In such traffic situations, confident starting off is child's play thanks to VHC. This is because the system automatically holds the motorcycle with the brakes until the rider accelerates and activates the clutch.

In addition, VHC can also be activated on a level road if the driver wants to hold the position without applying the brakes. After stopping, the driver activates VHC with a short braking impulse via the handbrake lever or the foot brake pedal. If the driver continues to maintain brake pressure after coming to a standstill following heavy braking, VHC is activated without an additional brake impulse.

A VHC control LED informs the driver as soon as the system is active and the ABS automatically continues to apply brake pressure after the brake is released. To automatically deactivate the VHC function, the driver simply has to start off from a standstill or apply the brakes again.

VHC is not intended as a parking brake and therefore releases the brakes automatically when the side stand is folded out or the engine is switched off. In most situations, the indicator light starts to flash after five minutes and VHC automatically releases the brakes shortly afterwards if no further input is given by the rider.

In model year 2020, VHC is standard on the two-wheeled CVO models and the Touring models with the exception of the Road King and the Electra Glide.

Tire pressure monitoring system TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

The TPMS tire pressure monitoring system warns the driver if the tire pressure is too low. Correct tire pressure is crucial for both driving performance and the service life of the tires.

The pressures in the front and rear tires are shown by the TPMS on the display of the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system (Road King Special: display in the speedometer).

The display warns the rider if the air pressure is too low. TPMS is part of the RDRS assistance system package and can be retrofitted to 2020 Touring models that do not have the system ex works via the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories range, provided these machines have original or accessory wheels that can be fitted with a TPMS sensor.

TPMS is standard on CVO models and Touring models in model year 2020, with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide.

H-D Connect

H-D Connect is a system that establishes connectivity with cloud services and the Harley-Davidson app via the third-generation LTE mobile communications standard. The latter can be installed on the smartphone free of charge via Apple and Android app stores.

H-D Connect provides the driver with information about their vehicle via a smartphone app. It ensures that the driver is always connected to their machine, even if they are physically separated.

Various vehicle status information can be called up via the smartphone. The system also allows the owner to monitor the motorcycle remotely. If unauthorized persons tamper with the bike or move it, the owner receives a corresponding notification.

A telematics control unit (TCU) forms the technical basis for H-D Connect. It connects the Touring models to the cloud via an integrated LTE modem.

H-D Connect offers the following features:

Status information: Thanks to H-D Connect and the H-D app, the owner of the motorcycle can call up information on the current vehicle status with an appropriate mobile phone connection.

This includes the fuel level or, in the case of electrically powered machines, the battery charge level, the remaining range, the driving mode, the mileage, statistics on vehicle usage and - depending on the equipment - the tire pressure and the version number of the infotainment software.

With the LiveWire, the owner can use the H-D app to search for and navigate to the nearest charging station, check the remaining charging time remotely during the charging process and receive notifications about the charging status.

Navigation: In combination with the H-D app, H-D Connect enables the transfer of routes and points of interest to the vehicle's infotainment system.

Tamper warning and vehicle location: To achieve a high level of safety, H-D Connect displays the position of the bike on a map in the HarleyDavidson app if there is a corresponding mobile phone signal.

If unauthorized persons tamper with the bike or move it, the owner receives a corresponding notification. If the motorcycle is removed from a certain radius around the parking position, the owner receives a further alarm signal (geofencing). Thanks to GPS-based tracking, the location of a stolen vehicle can be traced.

Service reminders and notifications: The H-D app reminds the owner of maintenance work and upcoming inspections, among other things. Another function of the app is the search for the nearest petrol station.

H-D Connect is free for new vehicle buyers for one year and then available as a paid subscription. It will be available from fall 2019 in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and most EU countries. Harley-Davidson plans to expand the service to Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan by the end of August 2020.

H-D Connect is standard on the LiveWire, the Trike Tri Glide Ultra, the CVO models and the Touring models (with the exception of the Road King models and the Electra Glide Standard) in model year 2020.

Text & image credits: Copyright Harley-Davidson

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