Test: retrofittable traction controls

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Test: retrofittable traction controls
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Test: retrofittable traction controls

Test: retrofittable traction controls
Traction controls from Bazzaz, Grip One and IRC

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Traction controls make sports motorcycles safer and will certainly be standard equipment in the future. Retrofit systems are already on the market today, which is why PS is investigating their function and operation.

Robert luck

08/23/2011

And then it was that time again! When accelerating out onto the long straight, the cart stands sideways, spectacularly begins to erase a fat black bar on the asphalt, then suddenly turns into a malfunctioning fighter jet and gets rid of its pilot with an ejector seat. From a bird’s eye view, the calculation of the repair costs can already be started in the flight, provided you still remember the flight phase. But no matter how happy the machine is, 1500 euros are always in there, even if you are hesitant about making contact with the ground. Not to mention the pain the pilot has to endure after the usually very hard grounding.

If you believe the manufacturers of retrofittable traction controls (from here only called TC), these systems can prevent classic highsider falls. 95 percent of these falls are caused by the rider himself, as he usually quickly turns off the gas as a reflex with the loss of grip on the rear wheel and the associated rear breakout. This eliminates the acceleration force on the rear wheel, which, in connection with the tearing off lateral grip, causes the tire to break away (slide). Due to the now decreasing acceleration force, the rear tire builds up cornering force again (grip in an inclined position). This takes place suddenly, just like the closing of the throttle valves. The motorcycle stands up like a catapult with the effect described above. The surprised pilot is thrown into the air by highsider and very often thrown from the motorcycle. In order to prevent precisely this, the acceleration force must be reduced gently in this driving situation. Either by gas hand with the supernatural driving talent of a MotoGP rider or by computer. This is where the traction control systems (TC) and their interventions in the engine management come into play.

Modes of operation


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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Only part of the Bazzaz system: the centrally mounted Z FI box.

There are currently two different working principles on the market. One is limited to monitoring the rear wheel in relation to various engine parameters, the second operates with wheel sensors. It detects different wheel speeds on the front and rear wheels, evaluates them and intervenes accordingly when diagnosing slip on the rear wheel.

The Bazzaz system focuses on monitoring the rear wheel. Based on the speed, gear step, throttle position and increase in speed, the stored algorithm recognizes an unnaturally strong increase in the rear wheel speed and the slide.

IRC and Grip One, on the other hand, have extra wheel sensors that record the front and rear wheel speed. Your control units constantly compare these values ​​with each other and react if the rear wheel speed increases disproportionately to the front wheel speed. If this is the case, all three systems intervene. How exactly this works is a well-kept secret with everyone. However, it is relatively certain that the ignition is initially suspended or the advance ignition angle is reduced and only later the spray supply is cut off for a few milliseconds. This is the procedure at least for other traction control systems offered as standard.

costs & Cultivation


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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Impractical at IRC: A puzzle is delivered and the customer is allowed to tinker for hours. Not very funny.

The Bazzaz-TC has a clear advantage here, due to the fact that it does not use additional wheel sensors. Thanks to the motorcycle-specific wiring harness, it is easiest because it can be installed using plug and play. The instructions are written in good English and clearly illustrated, the wiring harness is clearly labeled, and the German importer also inserts “Installation and test report” in German with. Anyone who does not purchase their Bazzaz-TC from a specialist dealer or abroad must forego this protocol. The Bazzaz-TC has another very big advantage over the two competitors. On the one hand, it offers an excellent automatic gearshift as standard, and on the other, it is a complete engine management system. It offers all the important functions that a Dynojet power commander, for example, also has, and it can be used “Auto-mapping module” connect, which optimizes the injection mapping under real conditions via lambda probe while driving. The Bazzaz control unit costs 1099 euros, the map switch should definitely be purchased for 179 euros and the cockpit LEDs for 99 euros, which optically display the control of the TC. For the installation of the Bazzaz, its coordination and a detailed introduction, another 400 euros are due. That makes around 1750 euros for the complete, sensible package.

With Grip One the hardware costs 1059 euros, useful LEDs for making the rules visible again 129 euros. The system’s wiring harness is brand-specific, the German importer includes operating and installation instructions in German. Unfortunately, there are currently no vehicle-specific wheel sensor mounts available, which significantly increases the installation effort and makes it more expensive. As long as the sensor holders are not available, the installation of a Grip One costs around 600 euros. Installed and set ready to drive, around 1750 euros are due.

The bargain, at least at first glance, is the IRC Power Slide Control. Currently without a German importer, it can be obtained online at www.dragobike.com for 750 euros plus shipping. For this, the customer receives an electrical kit with English installation instructions bursting with translation errors, which in places are anything but clear and understandable. In the workshop, an estimated 800 euros installation costs are due. Missing holder for wheel sensors and the one to build yourself “cockpit” cost a lot of time and therefore money. Support is currently only available via email or phone direct from Italy, which gets annoying in case of complications.

Function test


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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The three experts from the gas station during an intensive curve discussion on the laptop.

PS moved the retrofit systems in the Contidrom near Hanover to four Italians equipped with Continental RaceAttack Street tires: two Aprilia RSV4 Factory with a Bazzaz and Grip One system as well as a Ducati 1098 also with Bazzaz and finally an IRC-equipped Ducati 1198. The These street-legal sports tires were chosen because of the consideration that tires with a normal grip level (i.e. no hypersport skins or slicks) are quickly overwhelmed by the superbikes and thus the TCs get into their working mode early on. Basically a correct consideration, which, however, brings with it the following problems. The side grip of a road tire is limited. Not only when accelerating out, for which there are TC systems, but also when entering bends, when load peaks act on you like bumps in the road. Or in a maximum inclined position when the engine braking torque acts on them. In these cases, slides and falls are also possible with TC, as they do not work in these situations. Since the Contidrom quickly overwhelmed the streets, the test drives were risky and provided with many slides. A change to more adhesive slicks was logistically not possible.

Despite these suboptimal test conditions, the TC systems can be assessed. All systems in the low speed range (below 60 km / h) in deep gears with these tires reveal weaknesses. Hard acceleration in first or second gear causes all rear wheels to drift. The loss of lateral grip occurs faster and more strongly than the TCs regulate. If you think this driving situation is unrealistic, you should accelerate out of a hairpin when it rains.

In contrast, this problem no longer occurs at higher speeds in milder inclines. The Bazzaz-TC regulates smoothly, and the control range can be easily adjusted using the handlebar switch. The sensitivity can be changed while driving, whereby the learning effect for the driver is excellent, since it is comprehensible. It is equally suitable for hobby racers and hardcore burners.


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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With so much power under your bum, some people want a little technical help every now and then.

The Grip One system is still a bit too hot for hobby racers in the mildest, i.e. the earliest level, which is to be used. It allows decent drift angles before it intervenes, which tends to unsettle the hobby driver rather than motivate it. Even professional racer Christian Kellner took a while to be sure that the Grip One was actually activated. Unfortunately, it was not possible to adjust the control threshold while driving.

The IRC-TC reacts quite differently. Even at the hottest level, the system was still vehemently regulating. Changes to the wheel circumference in the control unit brought no improvement, so that both the hobby racer and the professional burner were made slower instead of faster by the IRC-TC. The control interventions of all three systems took place smoothly and in some cases hardly noticeable, which must be assessed as very good. The sensitivity of the systems, i.e. the control threshold and the associated intervention, on the other hand, is still in need of improvement in both Grip One and IRC. While Grip One should start the control interventions a little earlier and offer a handlebar switch with more than two different intensities, the IRC developers are allowed to raise the control threshold a bit.

Understanding
Retrofit systems do not make you immortal, but are driver assistants that help in certain situations. Because of the rapid pace of development, PS will carry out further tests with slicks and rain tires in the future.

Conclusion: Bazzaz currently has the most practical retrofittable traction control on offer. Great equipment, good control behavior and support from the importer speak for them. Grip One is on the right track, the peripherals are right here too. However, it regulates too late for hobby drivers, which is more unsettling than helpful. If the pilot turns off the gas in front of the TC, highsiders are possible. The IRC system has yet to mature, especially the cultivation is a disaster and not recommended without an importer and support.

Bazzaz Traction Control


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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The Bazzaz Traction Control

relation: www.tractioncontrol.de, Tel. 0 58 41/97 40 40

Base price: 1099 euros

Useful accessories: Handlebar switch for two mappings and setting the control intensity while driving for 179 euros; LEDs to display the regulation for 99 euros.

 max points  reached points Cultivation /
operation manual		  5  4th
Cultivation effort  5  5
Price without installation  5  3
Installation time / costs  5  4th
How the TC works  10  7th
Setting range TC  10  8th
Result:  40  31

Conclusion:
The Bazzaz system is currently clearly showing its lead in development and sales in Germany. The simplest extension, the best equipment (including “Power commander”-Function and switching device), good support from the importer and the most sophisticated handling make it the system of choice. The control properties of the traction control on motorcycles with a gear indicator are at a high level, the setting range is practical.

IRC Power Slide Control


Test: retrofittable traction controls


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IRC Power Slide Control

relation: www.dragobike.com, Tel. 00 39/3 38/1 10 39 92

Base price: 750 euros

Useful accessories: IRC does not offer any other accessories. At the moment, however, it is becoming a more complex one “Per”-Version developed with GPS tracker and speed limiter.


  max points
  reached points
 Cultivation /
operation manual
  5  1
Cultivation effort
  5  1
Price without installation
  5  5
Installation time / costs
  5  2
How the TC works
  10  6th
Setting range TC
  10  3
Result:
  40  18th

Conclusion:
The IRC Power Slide Control is still in its infancy. The installation of the system is fiddly, the instructions for it a horror in bad English. The handlebar controls are reminiscent of an electrical kit from the 1980s. Without a German contact person, the system is currently not recommended, despite the price. The traction control intervenes far too early and regulates the propulsion, while the launch control worked quite well.

Grip One Traction Control


Test: retrofittable traction controls


fact

Gripone Traction Control

relation: www.micronsystems.de, Tel. 09 11/93 67 40

Base price: 1059 euros

Useful accessories: the “Remote control” with LEDs to display the regulation for 129 euros. It can be used to set two different control intensities while driving.


  max points
  reached points
 Cultivation /
operation manual
  5  3
Cultivation effort
  5  3
Price without installation
  5  3
Installation time / costs
  5  3
How the TC works
  10  7th
Setting range TC
  10  4th
Result:
  40  23

Conclusion:
Grip One is good in terms of workmanship and handling. However, the lack of brackets for the wheel sensors is annoying and increases the retailer’s mounting costs. The installation instructions supplied by the German importer are good, and the basic settings are easy to set up. However, the Grip One regulates too late for hobby drivers, allowing clear slides, which can be frightening. Intervening earlier would lead pilots to their limits more gently.

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