New technology for numerous Harley-Davidson models from the 2020 model year
Harley-Davidson has been offering its products with an anti-lock braking system as standard for some time. 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 controls the front and rear wheel brakes independently and prevents the wheels from locking when braking, so that the driver maintains control of the machine in the event of emergency braking while driving straight ahead.
This prevents a fall caused by an overbraked front wheel and a rear wheel breaking out due to the rear wheel blocking. This means the machine can be decelerated much more safely thanks to ABS. Anti-lock braking systems have been used at 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 (Electronically Linked Brakes) for two-wheelers, which optimally doses the braking forces acting on the front and rear wheels in every driving situation.
If you only brake at the rear, you automatically receive the appropriate support on the front wheel and vice versa. The brake pedal also acts on the front left brake disc in the direction of travel and the handbrake lever also acts on the rear brake disc.
The wheel that is not braked manually is subjected to 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 adjusted independently of each other, as with conventional braking systems. The Reflex braking system enables the driver to achieve shorter braking distances.
On trikes, when you press the brake pedal, the front and rear wheels are braked at the same time. Operating the handbrake lever only affects the front wheel brake.
All Touring models have been equipped with this electronic brake force distribution since the 2014 model year.
Since then, a brake force distribution system has also been used on trikes. 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 HD Connect.
The Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS)
The new electronic Harley-Davidson assistance systems (Reflex Defensive Rider Systems, RDRS) are not noticeable during normal operation; almost all driving maneuvers take place in the same way 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 ABS (Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System, C-ABS) is a further developed anti-lock braking system that also works in an inclined position. In this driving situation, the tire is usually able to transmit less braking force than when driving straight ahead, which is why it tends to lock.
The cornering ABS works with rear wheel lift mitigation, which is based on the C-ABS sensors and a 6-axis movement sensor system to counteract the lifting of the rear wheel during heavy braking during model year 2020 and thus optimally optimize the deceleration forces to harmonize with the driver's braking commands.
C-ABS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, Trikes and Touring models in 2020 with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide.
Reflex braking system with corner-optimized electronic brake force distribution (C-ELB)
In this system (Cornering Electronic Linked Braking), the dynamic electronic brake force distribution (Electronically Linked Brakes, ELB) works in a curve-optimized manner by using a six-axis sensor to include the G forces in the calculation of the braking force ratio between the front and rear wheel brakes.
The goal is to decelerate the motorcycle optimally, even when cornering. In the 2020 model year, C-ELB is standard on all CVO types, trikes and all touring models with the exception of the Road King and the Electra Glide.
TCS traction control
The TCS traction control prevents excessive slip on the rear wheel when accelerating and thus supports the driver, especially when tire grip is limited, such as in precipitation, suddenly changing road surfaces or on unpaved roads.
TCS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, Trikes and all Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide for the 2020 model year.
Cornering traction control C-TCS
The C-TCS cornering traction control takes the current lean angle into account when it intervenes and also prevents excessive slip on the rear wheel when accelerating in corners.
The driver can choose between different C-TCS modes: The standard mode is optimized for dry roads, the Rain mode for wet roads. In addition, the traction control can also be deactivated completely. C-TCS also offers a wheelie control function to limit the height of the front wheel lifting and the duration of lifting when accelerating.
C-TCS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, Trikes and all Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide for the 2020 model year.
Traction Slip Control (DSCS)
The DSCS traction control system (Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System) prevents slipping 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 optimal deceleration and easily controllable driving behavior.
DSCS is therefore crucial for the performance of the ABS on the rear wheel. DSCS is standard on the LiveWire, CVO models, Trikes and Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide for the 2020 model year.
Cornering traction control (C-DSCS)
The cornering traction control system C-DSCS (Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System) also includes the current lean angle in its calculation. C-DSCS is standard on the LiveWire.
Vehicle hold assistant Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
This is an additional ABS function that automatically prevents the motorcycle from rolling away after the driver 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 driving becomes child's play thanks to VHC. The system automatically stops the motorcycle with the brakes until the driver accelerates and presses the clutch.
In addition, VHC can also be activated on level roads if the driver wants to maintain the position without applying the brakes themselves. After stopping, the driver activates VHC with a short braking pulse using the handbrake lever or foot brake pedal. If he continues to maintain the brake pressure after braking sharply until the vehicle comes to a standstill, VHC activates without an additional braking impulse.
A VHC control LED informs the driver as soon as the system is active and the ABS continues to apply brake pressure independently after the brake is released. To automatically deactivate the VHC function, the driver simply needs to start from a standstill or give another braking impulse.
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 will begin flashing after five minutes and VHC will automatically release the brakes a short time later if no further input from the driver is provided.
In the 2020 model year, VHC is standard on the two-wheel CVO types and the Touring models with the exception of the Road King and the Electra Glide.
Tire air pressure monitoring system TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
The TPMS tire air pressure monitoring system warns the driver if the tire pressure is too low. Correct air pressure in the tires is crucial for both driving behavior and the lifespan of the tires.
The pressures in the front and rear tires are displayed by the TPMS on the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system displayed (Road King Special: display in the speedometer).
The display warns the driver if the air pressure is too low. TPMS is part of the RDRS assistance system package and can be retrofitted to Touring models from the 2020 model year that do not have the system ex works via the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories accessory program, provided these machines have original or accessory wheels a TPMS sensor can be installed.
TPMS is standard on CVO models and Touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide for the 2020 model year.
HD Connect
HD Connect is a system that provides connectivity to cloud services and the Harley-Davidson app using the third-generation LTE cellular standard. The latter can be installed on your smartphone for free via the Apple and Android app stores.
HD Connect provides the driver with information about their vehicle via an app on their smartphone. It ensures that the driver always remains connected to his machine, even if the two are physically separated from each other.
Various information about the vehicle’s condition can be accessed via smartphone. The system also allows the owner to monitor the motorcycle remotely. If unauthorized persons tamper with the machine or move it, they will receive a corresponding notification.
A telematics control unit (TCU) forms the technical basis for HD Connect. It connects the Touring models to the cloud via an integrated LTE modem.
HD Connect offers the following features:
Status information: Thanks to HD Connect and the HD app, the owner of the motorcycle can access information about the current vehicle status with an appropriate mobile phone connection.
This includes the fuel level or, in the case of electrically powered machines, the charge level of the battery, 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 HD app to find and navigate to the nearest charging station, as well as remotely check the remaining charging time and receive charging status notifications while charging.
Navigation: In combination with the HD app, HD Connect enables the transfer of routes and points of interest to the vehicle's infotainment system.
Tampering warning and vehicle tracking: To achieve a high level of security, HD Connect shows the position of the machine on a map in the HarleyDavidson app when there is an appropriate mobile signal.
If unauthorized persons tamper with the machine or move it, the owner will receive a corresponding notification. If the motorcycle is removed from a certain radius around the parking position, it receives another alarm signal (geofencing). Thanks to GPS-based tracking, the location of a stolen vehicle can be traced.
Service reminders and notifications: The HD app reminds the owner of maintenance work and upcoming inspections, among other things. Another function of the app includes searching for the nearest gas station.
HD Connect is free for new vehicle buyers for one year and then available as a paid subscription. It will be available in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and most EU countries from autumn 2019. Harley-Davidson plans to expand the service to Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan by the end of August 2020.
HD Connect is standard on the LiveWire, the Trike Tri Glide Ultra, the CVO models and the Touring types (with the exception of the Road King models and the Electra Glide Standard) in the 2020 model year.
Text & Image Credits: Copyright Harley-Davidson
