Traction Control System
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 to the drive wheel.
By reducing tire spin, the Traction Control System will help the rider 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, or when the powertrain decelerates on wet or slippery surfaces, the vehicle may experience rear wheel slip.
How Traction Control Works
The cornering traction control system constantly monitors the vehicles lean angle during turns, and will adjust torque to the drive wheel when it senses a loss of traction, or when necessary to improve vehicle control while cornering.
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 start up 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, in straight-aways or corners, it may decrease drag torque, by increasing motor Revolutions Per Minute (rpm), to limit the slip and help the rider maintain control.
The traction control system is also designed to support front-wheel lift mitigation to reduce the height and duration of front-wheel lift (wheelie). The height and duration of front-wheel lift is tied to the rider-selected TCS mode, with Rain being the most restrictive and Sport being the least restrictive. Front-Wheel Lift Mitigation is turned off when TCS is turned off.
How To Use Traction Control
NOTE
When running a vehicle on a dyno it is advised that traction control be disabled to prevent intervention based on tire speed differences front to rear.
Traction control is automatically enabled at each start cycle. The rider may choose to disable traction control anytime the vehicle is at a complete stop and operational 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.
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.