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Using the brakes correctly under adverse conditions
is the hardest – and yet the most critical - skill to
master for a rider. Braking is one of the most difficult
and dangerous moments when riding a two wheeled
motorcycle: the possibility of falling or having an
accident during this difficult moment is statistically
higher than any other moment. A locked front wheel
leads to loss of traction and stability, resulting in loss
of control.
The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) has been
developed to enable riders to use the motorcycle
braking force to the fullest possible amount in
emergency braking or under poor pavement or
adverse weather conditions. ABS is an electro-
hydraulic device that controls the pressure in the
brake circuit when the control unit, by processing
information from wheel sensors, determines that one
or both wheels are about to lock up. In this case,
pressure decrease in the brake circuit allows the
wheel to carry on turning, thereby preserving grip.
After that, the control unit restores the pressure in
the brake circuit, to resume the braking action. This
cycle is repeated many times until the problem is
completely eliminated. Normally, the rider will
perceive ABS operation as a harder feel or a pulsation
of the brake lever and pedal.
The front and rear brakes do not use separate control
systems: the ABS on this bike provides for an
electronic combined braking action that also activates
the rear brake system when the rider uses only the
front brake. The contrary is not true: the rear brake
control will not affect the front brake.
The Multistrada 1200 ABS also features a "cornering"
function that widens ABS functionality to the
conditions where the motorcycle is leaning over, thus
controlling the front and rear brake systems
depending on the vehicle lean angle with the purpose
of preventing wheel lockup and slipping as much as
possible, within the physical limits allowed by the
vehicle and by the road conditions.
If desired, the system can be deactivated from the
instrument panel, setting the level to OFF within the
Riding Mode for which you wish to disable it.
Warning
Although combined braking is available (rear
brake activation when rider uses only the front brake),
using the two brake controls separately reduces the
motorcycle braking power.
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