ABS System in Bikes

ABS stands for the anti-lock braking system. It is designed and installed in motorcycles to prevent wheels from locking up during hard braking and minimise cases of accidents. ABS is classified into two types: full system ABS and partial ABS. The former works by keeping track of both wheels' speeds. Under this, ABS will be activated if any of the wheels slow down in rotation.

On the other hand, Partial ABS only tracks the rear wheel speed, making it less effective than full ABS in terms of accident prevention

As previously stated, ABS prevents wheel lockup during hard or abrupt braking. It gives your bike better control and effective stopping at shorter distances. When you apply a hard brake on a bike equipped with ABS, the braking system acts and instantly modifies brake pressure to assist the wheels in keeping up with their rotation. The entire process contributes to maintaining traction while avoiding skidding.

The ABS sensor calculates the time it takes for the wheels to lock up during hard braking. It will then begin the process of releasing the brakes and reapplying them multiple times in a second. The procedure allows you to keep your balance and prevents wheel lockup.

Dual channel ABS serves the same purpose as single channel ABS, preventing skidding and assisting your bike in maintaining traction. It detects when the wheels will lose contact with the ground, and once identified, the automatic application of brakes provides stability to your bike.

A dual-channel ABS bike allows for smooth riding, even in slippery or icy conditions. It also reduces the regular wear and tear on your bike's brakes, saving you money on repairs and replacements at regular intervals.

ABS brake systems in bikes mainly consist of four components. These are:

• Electronic speed sensors:

The first and perhaps the most crucial component is the sensors. You will find sensors installed on your bike's wheels. It is only your bike sensor that informs ABS when the wheels are about to lock up during hard braking. When sensors detect a lock-up situation, they immediately notify the controller by sending out a signal.

• Electrical controller valves

Valves are installed in conjunction with the electronic control unit (ECU), which is located beneath the rider's seat. When the controllers receive a signal, they turn on the pumps immediately. These pumps are well-known for supplying pressure to brake callipers. When this happens, the callipers begin the process of releasing and reapplying the brakes, allowing your bike to maintain stability and preventing the wheels from locking up.

• Modulator

The modulator is an ABS component that regulates the pressure sent to the brake callipers. It adjusts the amount of pressure based on the situation.

• Toothed disc

The toothed disc is generally found on disc brake bikes. The primary function of this component is to facilitate the speed sensor in calculating the speed of each wheel.

A bike with an ABS system provides a host of benefits. Among them, the prominent ones are listed below.

• Better stopping power

Riding a bike in India carries a number of risks, particularly during the monsoon season when roads are slick. If you are riding a bike at a constant or high speed and a pedestrian suddenly jumps in front of you, forcing you to apply a sudden brake, your chances of skidding increase. This is where ABS comes in handy. Regardless of the situation, superior technology allows you to maintain your stability while avoiding skids.

• Affordable insurance for two wheeler

Your insurer usually charges a higher premium for a two-wheeler insurance policy if they find that the risk of an accident during a ride is high. The more the number of accidents, the more application the insurer will receive for claim settlement. However, ABS bikes are designed with the sole purpose of reducing accident cases in India. Thus, if you purchase comprehensive or third-party bike insurance with standalone own damage insurance for an ABS-equipped bike, the premium will be significantly lower.

• Better loan approval chances

ABS-equipped bikes are thought to have a longer lifespan. When compared to bikes with traditional braking systems, such bikes typically have a higher resale value. Even in cases of loan default, the lender has the option of recouping the unpaid balance by auctioning off the bike at a higher price. As a result, assuming that obtaining funds for purchasing an ABS-equipped bike is simple is not incorrect.

• Better traction control

It is simpler for the manufacturer to incorporate traction control features into ABS bikes. Because the architecture of both technologies is nearly identical, the manufacturer instals the traction feature during the ABS installation stage.

Apart from the benefits, there are also various disadvantages associated with ABS. These are:

• ABS is an expensive feature. If your bike lacks one, purchasing an aftermarket ABS requires a significant investment. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the aftermarket one will perfectly sync with your bike.

• ABS is ideal for on-road use. However, if you use your bike for off-road riding, you cannot expect it to run smoothly and with greater stability.

• ABS does not provide much stability at higher altitudes.

ABS feature is not mandatory in bikes which are manufactured prior to 1st April 2019. However, the government later issued a directive requiring all bike manufacturers to install ABS in bikes with displacements greater than 125cc and manufactured on or after April 1, 2019.

ABS installation is neither a mandatory feature nor does it attract any penalty. However, if you are able to install one on your bike, the safety feature will be greatly enhanced. Though, if you believe that ABS can help you avoid accidents regardless of how rough you ride your bike on the roads, you are mistaken.