KTM first with anti-lowside ABS brakes

KTM will be the first manufacturer to sell a bike equipped with the latest generation of ABS to work as an anti-lowside braking system on the 2014 KTM Adventure 1190R.

The new braking system is the latest innovation from electronics giant Bosch and is called Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) and it’s the first time ABS has been officially claimed to work while a bike is leant over in a corner.

MCN revealed Bosch was developing cornering ABS more than two years ago as an extension of the ground-breaking work the company has been carrying out to develop the Bosch 9+ME ABS system which is the most advanced and smallest ABS system available.

Retro fit available for all 1190 Adventure customers

Customers who have already bought an 1190 Adventure or 1190 Adventure R in 2013 can have the revolutionary MSC retrofitted at any authorised KTM dealer for £335.63.

Production of the new 2014 1190 Adventure with MSC starts in December 2013. The UK price is £12,999 for the 1190 Adventure, £13,799 for the 1190 Adventure with factory fit electronics package and £13,799 for the 1190 Adventure R.

A KTM statement explains: “Jointly developed with Bosch, the MSC supports riders of the 1190 Adventure with combined antilock braking system (C-ABS) and motorcycle traction control (MTC) in a multitude of ways – of course within the limits of physics, just as any assistance system:

•    MSC can prevent the wheels from slipping when braking while leaning over.
•    MSC minimises the righting motion of braking while leaning over.
•    MSC prevents rolling over in emergency stops.
•    MSC prevents rear wheel skids when accelerating while leaning over.
•    MSC prevents the front wheel rising while accelerating.

It’s expected more bikes fitted with Bosch ABS will get MSC over the coming years. We would expect the next generation of BMW S1000RR, Ducati 1199 Panigale, the new KTM 1290 Duke and others to all have the system fitted.