ABS and Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS) Functions
ABS is designed to prevent the wheels from locking under braking and helps the rider maintain control when braking in a straight-line, urgent situation. ABS operates independently on front and rear brakes to keep the wheels rolling and prevent uncontrolled wheel lock. The Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) is a variant of ABS that takes into consideration the lean angle of the motorcycle. While cornering, the available grip for braking is reduced and C-ABS automatically compensates for this reality.
Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB)
The C-ELB system provides balanced front and rear braking under a wide variety of brake applications. The system provides more linking when the rider is applying heavier braking and reduces or eliminates linking for light braking and low speeds. When linked, applying the front brake lever alone will cause the system to also dynamically apply an amount of braking to the rear. C-ELB takes into account the motorcycle lean angle and will alter the proportioning of brake pressure between the front and rear brakes while cornering in an attempt to improve the ability of the bike to maintain the rider’s intended path.
How To Use ABS
While an advantage in emergency braking, ABS is not a substitute for safe riding. The safest way to stop a motorcycle is using both brakes.
During an emergency stopping situation, maintain pressure on the brakes through all ABS events. Do not modulate or "pump" the brake controls. The wheels do not lock until the end of the stop when motorcycle speed slows to a rate at which ABS is no longer needed.
Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) uses brake pressure to keep the motorcycle from rolling when it is stopped on an incline, making it easier to ride away when starting on an incline, such as a hill, a bridge or a parking ramp. The
VHC holds brake pressure when activated and prevents the motorcycle from moving after the rider has released the brake controls. The system holds brake pressure until the rider actuates the throttle and clutch to pull away.
NOTE
VHC is not intended to be used as a parking brake.
NOTE
If equipped with jiffy stand switch: Motorcycle can be put into Neutral and clutch lever released.
If not equipped with jiffy stand switch: Clutch lever will need to remain pulled in.
Activation: The rider activates
VHC by applying extra pressure to either the front brake hand lever or the rear brake foot control after the motorcycle has come to a complete stop. If rider brakes very hard to a stop, and holds the brake pressure after stopped,
VHC may also set without any added squeeze. A
VHC indicator will illuminate to confirm that the rider has activated
VHC and the ABS system will hold brake pressure after the rider releases the brake control.
NOTE
When a requirement for activation is not met,
VHC lamp will flash fast.
Deactivation:VHC is deactivated automatically as the rider begins to pull away from a stop, or if the rider firmly applies and releases either brake control.
VHC may deactivate if rider aggressively revs the engine with clutch lever pulled in.
VHC will also deactivate if the rider lowers the side stand on models with a side stand sensor (not in all markets) or shifts into neutral on models without a side stand sensor.
VHC will deactivate when engine stops running.
VHC will deactivate after between approximately 3 minutes and 5 minutes. In most situations, the indicator will flash and the
VHC will release if there is no rider action. (
VHC may deactivate in less than five minutes to prevent overheating if being used often on steep grades.)
Limitations: VHC may not be able to hold the vehicle at a stop under all circumstances. Steep hills, road surfaces and other factors can all affect
VHC capability. The rider must remain prepared to control the vehicle should it roll.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
TPMS alerts the rider to low tire air pressure. Maintaining proper tire air pressure is important both for safety and for tire life. The TPMS displays current front and rear tire pressure on the
Infotainment Control Unit (IFCU) and displays an indicator to alert the rider when tire pressure is low, and the pressure should be checked.
ABS: Tires and Wheels
Motorcycles equipped with ABS must always use Harley-Davidson tires and wheels. The ABS monitors the rotational speed of the wheels through individual wheel speed sensors. Changing to different diameter wheels or different size tires can alter the rotational speed. Different-sized wheels and tires can upset the calibration of the ABS and have an adverse effect on its ability to detect and prevent uncontrolled wheel lockups. Operating at tire pressures other than those pressures specified can reduce ABS braking performance. Refer to .
Table 1. ABS Symptoms and Conditions
SYMPTOM | CONDITION |
---|
ABS indicator continuously lit | ABS fault detected. See a Harley-Davidson dealer for service. |
ABS indicator slow flashing | This indicates a normal self-diagnostics process when the motorcycle is first turned on and the speed is under 5 km/h (3 mph). ABS is not operational until the lamp turns off. If the lamp continues flashing at speeds greater than 5 km/h (3 mph), see a Harley-Davidson dealer for service. |
ABS indicator rapid flashing and solid fault indicator lamp | This indicates a potential brake system fault. Apply both front and rear brakes to reduce speed and to stop motorcycle. The brake controls could feel stiff when applied. If this occurs, move the motorcycle to a safe location to stop. Service is required to correct the fault before continuing to ride. See a Harley-Davidson dealer for service . |
Pulsing brake lever or pedal during an ABS event | Normal condition. |
Clicking sound during an ABS event | Normal condition. |
"Surge" sensation while braking | Normal condition. This is most noticeable when braking with one brake (front only or rear only). Result of a reduction in deceleration which can be caused by cracks or bumps in road, engine braking (high engine RPMs causing the rear wheel to slow down), hard braking at slow speeds, and other conditions. This is due to ABS modulating caliper brake pressure to prevent uncontrolled wheel lock. |
Temporarily stiff rear brake pedal | Normal condition. Engine braking (high engine RPMs causing the rear wheel to slow down) or down shifting can activate ABS. If applying the rear brake at the same time or immediately after, the ABS may be closing a valve to prevent pressure to the rear brake. This is due to ABS modulating caliper brake pressure to prevent uncontrolled wheel lock. |
Tire chirp | Normal condition. Depending on surface, tire can chirp without locking the wheel. |
Black mark on pavement | Normal condition. Depending on surface, tire can leave a black mark without locking the wheel. |
Wheel lock at low speed | Normal condition. ABS does not activate on front wheel below 5 km/h (3 mph) or on rear wheel below 8 km/h (5 mph). |