Honda has announced it has developed a revolutionary electronically-controlled combined ABS system developed specifically for sports bikes. The system was revealed at a European Technical Workshop focusing on motorcycle safety at the LUK Driving Centre near Baden-Baden in Germany, Honda hosted over 150 motorcycle experts from across Europe.

Traditionally, the design of sports bikes has mean the application of ‘combined’ or ABS braking systems has not been practical. The short wheelbase of a sports machine causing it to ‘pitch’ under heavy braking, coupled with concerns over the weight of such a system, has seen Combined Brake Systems and ABS traditionally placed only on touring, adventure and sports touring machines.

This new and advanced ‘brake-by-wire-control’ system, with an innovative stroke simulator, employs the advantages of both ‘Combined’ and ‘ABS’ systems in one package to specifically address the requirements of a sports bike, provide superb stability, controllability and deceleration, whilst enabling the rider to maintain full control.

Direct motor control ensures precise operation of the ABS and the components are divided into several smaller units - smaller than in previous systems - meaning the system doesn’t add too much weight as light weight and optimum ‘mass centralisation’ is a key factor in the design of a modern sports bike.

The electronic control of the CBS allows for more advanced control of the braking forces and a more sensitive distribution of these forces over both wheels under heavy braking situations. The system measures the rider input on each lever and the ideal braking force is generated accordingly, providing optimum distribution and minimizing any disturbance to the handling of the machine. An ‘ABS modulator’ then ensures late but smooth triggering of the ABS system.

On the road all the basic functions of ABS and CBS are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance, stability and ease of operation. The handling characteristics of a sports bike are unaffected by the electronically controlled Combined ABS system, avoiding the ‘pitching’ effect of earlier systems, so that cornering and sports performance is uninterrupted.

Honda has been at the forefront of advanced braking systems for many decades. In 1969 Honda launched the CB750, a machine hailed as the first ever ‘superbike’ equipped with many innovative features, including disc brakes which performed markedly better than the drum brakes prevalent on machines of the time.