Motorcycle Stability Control [MSC] is the motorcycle counterpart to Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on a car. Our philosophy is we try to bring all functions related to the riding dynamic into one electronic control unit (ECU). If you look back three years in the automotive industry, it was common to have multiple ECUs for the various functions, and this is fairly common in the motorcycle industry as well. We decided to bring the ABS, the traction control, the lean angle-dependent functions, the hill-hold control … all these things are in this one central unit taking care of everything for vehicle dynamics. We decided to work exclusively with Bosch instead of also with Continental because they are both really big companies and KTM is comparatively small. A lot of know-how is developed on both sides, and because we work only with Bosch, they are much more open. Otherwise, there is always the fear to transfer some know-how from one to another. I totally understand that motorcycle riders are somehow a little bit scared of too much electronics. They come from the mechanical side; they work on their own bikes. In the past, you were able to clean the carburetor and all of this stuff. Nowadays, with all of the emission rules, with ABS mandatory, with all of these things, you have to have electronics on the bikes. It makes the motorcycles much safer, much better. I think it’s impossible to make an engine with more than 180 horsepower without electronics. Without a ride-by-wire system, it would be unrideable. 
We spend a lot of effort setting up the electronics in a way that the customer does not feel them working. If he would feel all the time that the electronics were overriding him or taking over the responsibility, then it would kill the fun of motorcycle riding. We have to calibrate the systems in a way that the bike still behaves conventionally, with the benefits that you get from all of the electronics and the safety features. They interact quite late so that you can ride on the edge, and when you do go past the limits, it helps you avoid a crash. But if you ride in a normal sporty way, you do not feel it. There is always the chance that something could happen. For example, last year in MotoGP. Marc Marquez hit Dani Pedrosa’s bike, cut the rear-wheel-speed sensor cable, and Pedrosa high-sided. For sure, the system would recognize there was a problem and illuminate a warning light, but if you cut the cable the system will not work. There are two micro-controllers in the ECU that are completely redundant and check each other. If one has an issue, the other takes over. But even in a worst-case scenario you will always have the basic hydraulic brakes, so you will have no problem stopping. KTM is one of the first motorcycle manufacturers to join ISO 26262, which is a guideline for safety-related electronic systems. BMW, Harley-Davidson, and Honda are also involved. For sure it’s a lot of effort, but it brings a lot more safety into the bikes.Gadget Reviews: mamaktalk.com
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