New Bosch ABS for Indian bikes to hit the market in 2013

April 13: Bosch India has developed an ABS system for Indian motorcycles equipped with at least one disc brake. Speaking to Autocar Professional at the ongoing Indo-German ‘urban mela’ in Mumbai, Bosch India’s deputy managing director, Chassis Systems Control, V Balasubramanian (pictured), said: “The product is ready now and will be in the market by next year.” He further added, “The system can be offered in bikes with at least one disc brake. We require a hydraulic brake and all 125cc and higher bikes have it for the front tyres, if not for the rear too.”

At present, the TVS Apache RTR 180 and the Honda CBR250R are the only mainstream motorcycles sold with ABS in India.

ABS greatly enables safe braking. If motorcyclists have to brake as quickly as possible in a critical situation, they face a difficult task. On most motorbikes, they have first of all to use the hand and foot brakes separately to control the braking pressure for front and rear wheels. Then they have to prevent the wheels locking up at all costs. The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by wrong and hesitant braking. The ABS antilock braking system solves this problem, allowing safe braking by preventing the wheels from locking up. This can both prevent a fall and significantly reduce braking distance.