While an advantage in certain situations, traction control is not a substitute for safe riding.

Harley-Davidson's cornering traction control system can detect when the drive wheel loses traction. In wet or slippery conditions, or under abrupt acceleration, the traction-control system will limit torque or apply brakes to the drive wheel during loss of traction.

By reducing tire spin, the Traction Control System will maintain control, while allowing maximum acceleration.

The vehicle is also equipped with a Drag Torque Slip Control System to help maintain control under deceleration. When you deliver an abrupt reduction in acceleration to the vehicle, during early downshifts, or when the powertrain decelerates on wet or slippery surfaces, the vehicle may experience rear wheel slip.

Models with RDRS have additional features. See Operation → Reflex Defensive Rider Systems for more information.

The cornering enhanced traction control system constantly monitors the vehicles lateral acceleration when going straight and during turns, and will adjust torque to the drive wheel when it senses a loss of traction.

This adjustment is designed to limit wheel spin and help the rider maintain the desired course of travel in corners.

During start up, the traction-control lamp flashes simultaneously with the ABS lamp, this indicates that both systems are waiting for the vehicle to complete a wheel speed sensor check. The traction control system is operational after startup even during the wheel speed sensor check. The traction control lamp should turn off when the sensor check is complete.

If the drag torque slip control system senses rear wheel slip under powertrain deceleration, it may decrease drag torque, by increasing engine Revolutions Per Minute (rpm), to limit the slip and maintain control.

Traction control is automatically enabled at each ignition start cycle. The rider may choose to disable traction control anytime the vehicle is at a complete stop and the engine is running by pressing and holding the traction control switch for one full second.

The rider may find it beneficial to disengage traction control in low speed low traction situations such as, riding in deep sand, riding uphill on wet grass, or similar situations. The traction control lamp will illuminate and remain illuminated to indicate traction control is disabled. However, if the TC lamp remains on in conjunction with the fault indicator lamp, it means the traction control system has faulted, if this occurs see an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

During some fault conditions Traction Control will be enabled with degraded function and cannot be disabled.

The rider may again enable traction control at any time during vehicle operation by pressing and releasing the Traction control switch.

If the traction control lamp begins fast-blinking while riding, it means the traction-control system is intervening.

Intervention of the Drag Torque Slip Control is indicated by fast-blinking of the traction control lamp. However, disabling your Traction Control will not disable Drag Torque Slip Control.