TECH: Learner legal rider aids

Learners rejoice! Electronic specialist Bosch is rolling out its trick rider aid technology to smaller capacity bikes…

You’ll likely know all about the swathes of sophisticated electronic rider aids that adorn the latest generation of top-shelf motorcycles from the big names in the game.

You can’t move for the stuff. It’s now common to get a brand-new ride kitted out with lean-sensitive cornering ABS, traction control and specific riders modes for specific condition – and now we’re starting to see radar-guided cruise control with increasing regularity.

Up to now, they’ve been the preserve of big bikes with big power. But that’s about to change, with German tech giant Bosch beginning to introduce stripped-back, simplified versions of its clever electronics into smaller and more affordable machines.

In fact, Geoff Liersch, the boss of Bosch’s Two-Wheeler and Powersports unit, has spoken about his desire to supply electronic safety aids to all motorcycles globally, in an effort to make bikes safer.

It’s already happening, with KTM at the forefront (as per usual), kitting its newest generation 390 Duke with a Bosch 3D inertial measurement unit (IMU), which integrates various functions via a Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control system. Indian firm TVS are at it, too, fitting an even more sophisticated 6D IMU-backed motorcycle stability control system to its top-spec Apache RTR 310.

But what does all that actually mean? In simple terms, Bosch’s MSC system works to moderate braking via the ABS, while continually monitoring the inertial measurement unit (IMU) which provides information about the dynamic state of the motorcycle. That basically means it’ll help keep you upright if something untowards happens in a corner. Clever stuff, right?

There’s no doubt the technology will make a great addition to any learner legal ride, and will certainly help keep more fledgling bikers safe out on the big, bad roads as they’re learning their craft. Credit to Bosch.