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German automobile club ADAC Accident Research says that around one fifth of all
motorcycle accidents could have been prevented if the two-wheeler had been
fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). ABS is important for cars and two-wheelers
alike for them to remain stable during a panic brake. International automotive
supplier Continental has expanded – based on its proven ABS technology for
passenger cars – its range of electronic braking systems by introducing a
One-Channel ABS for smaller motorcycles and scooters. In 2014 for the first
time worldwide, the safety system went into series production in the Vespa
Primavera and the Vespa Sprint from the Piaggio Group.
Ronan
Le Roy, Head of the motorcycle business within the Vehicle Dynamics Business
Unit of Continental's Chassis & Safety Division said the company’s involvement
in such top sellers makes them proud and underlines the claim made by
Continental that they can provide innovative solutions to its customers,
Continental
has been developing and producing anti-lock brake systems for two-wheelers for
the past ten years to continuously improve active driving safety for
motorcycles. With a box volume of less than 300cc and weighing roughly 420
grams the One-Channel ABS is very light and can be easily applied to suit the
widest range of motorcycle and scooter models. ABS control of the front wheel
stops it from locking up even during a panic brake by the driver and prevents a
fall. A wheel speed sensor constantly monitors the front wheel's turning speed
and from this the algorithms in the control unit calculate whether braking
could potentially cause the front wheel to lock up. If so, the system will
reduce the brake pressure, thus preventing loss of directional stability and
road holding.
With
the introduction of the One-Channel ABS, it now complements Continental's
portfolio of motorcycle systems currently in series production--- Motorcycle
Integral Brake Systems and Motorcycle Anti-Lock Brake Systems (Two- and
Three-Channel ABS). The Piaggio Group’s Vespa GTS 300, the Piaggio Beverly, the
Vespa 946, the Piaggio X10 as well as motorcycles are available with a
Two-Channel ABS. The Piaggio MP3 is equipped with a Three-Channel ABS.
Lothar
Kienle, Head of Development Motorcycle in the Vehicle Dynamics Business Unit
noted that in line with the company’s motto, 'Safety for Everyone', the company
wants to make the One-Channel ABS available to all road users and offer the
world's motorcyclists a significant safety gain.
The
2010 Dekra Motorcycle Road Safety Report in Germany showed that ABS could
either prevent many accidents or reduce the severity of their impact. It even
concluded that 25 to 35pc of the serious accidents analysed in the report could
have been prevented, had the motorcycles been fitted with ABS.
Picture of Piaggio
Vespa, for representation purpose only/ Picture courtesy Piaggio