What is Traction Control & how does it work?
- Thread starter GlenT
- Start date
Omega.Rider
Weapons-grade stupid
TCS = Traction Control System
The traction control uses the same sensor rings that the ABS system uses to detect wheel speed. If it detects rear wheel speed changing faster than front wheel speed (meaning rear wheel spinning) it adjust the engine timing slightly to reduce power output.
I've never heard of any issues relating to the TCS system but I've only had my bike for 3 seasons now. It sure does make things easier when circumstances force me to put my 700 pound motorcycle onto grass for whatever reason. TCS can be defeated by a switch on the left console, but pushing the button only defeats the TCS until the next time you start the bike.
The traction control uses the same sensor rings that the ABS system uses to detect wheel speed. If it detects rear wheel speed changing faster than front wheel speed (meaning rear wheel spinning) it adjust the engine timing slightly to reduce power output.
I've never heard of any issues relating to the TCS system but I've only had my bike for 3 seasons now. It sure does make things easier when circumstances force me to put my 700 pound motorcycle onto grass for whatever reason. TCS can be defeated by a switch on the left console, but pushing the button only defeats the TCS until the next time you start the bike.
Killtimer
The TCS system uses the ABS hardware to sense wheel slippage. It compares the rotational speed of the front and rear wheels and reduces power if the rear speeds up in relation to the front. As soon as the wheel slip is gone, power returns. I had a 2001 ST1100 ABS/TCS. No maintenance issues and it did work as advertised.
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wjbertrand
Ventura Highway
The TCS system has been very reliable, if fact I can't ever recall reading about a failure. As has been said, the TCS system retards the ignition timing to reduce power if it senses rear wheel speed increasing faster than front wheel speed. In addition to controlling wheel spin, the TCS system also curtails wheelies, as in this case once elevated the front wheel starts to slow as the rear speeds up and the system thinks it's wheel spin again.
About the only disadvantage to the TCS system that I ever found was when trying to get my bike going from a stop on an up hill dirt/sand parking area at Laguna Seca. The TCS would kick in and kill the power to the point that the engine would stall before the bike would move. Turns out in such situations a little wheel slip in necessary to get going. Once I figured out what was happening, I switched off the TCS and motored away with only a tiny rooster tail.
About the only disadvantage to the TCS system that I ever found was when trying to get my bike going from a stop on an up hill dirt/sand parking area at Laguna Seca. The TCS would kick in and kill the power to the point that the engine would stall before the bike would move. Turns out in such situations a little wheel slip in necessary to get going. Once I figured out what was happening, I switched off the TCS and motored away with only a tiny rooster tail.
Omega.Rider
Weapons-grade stupid
I've wondered that over and over myself.
Norm
Vendor
Last winter it snowed heavily while at the post office so had some fun on the way home! (VBG)
I got braver during the ride and was using wide open throttle in second gear at 30-35 mph, which was a real head turner for pedestrians. The TCS has having fits preventing wheel spin and had timing backed up and also seemed to be cutting out cylinders. The result was horrendous poping and banging from the intake. Not much dust left in the air filter after that! (VBG)
I really like the TCS as it prevents wheel slippage when turning in intersections if spilled fuel or oil is encountered.
HIH
Norm
I got braver during the ride and was using wide open throttle in second gear at 30-35 mph, which was a real head turner for pedestrians. The TCS has having fits preventing wheel spin and had timing backed up and also seemed to be cutting out cylinders. The result was horrendous poping and banging from the intake. Not much dust left in the air filter after that! (VBG)
I really like the TCS as it prevents wheel slippage when turning in intersections if spilled fuel or oil is encountered.
HIH
Norm
They dropped it, because customers didn't want to pay for it. The price difference between the ST1100 and ST1100A (abs/tcs), in 2002, was $2,500. AFAIK, the ST1100A was the only motorcycle to have TCS, up to that point. Some BMW models have a similar system now.
I traded my 1999 ST1100 to 2002 ST1100A, just to get those two features. I have used the ABS several times. I can't say the TCS has ever been active, but every time I get on a wet metal bridge, I'm glad its there.
I traded my 1999 ST1100 to 2002 ST1100A, just to get those two features. I have used the ABS several times. I can't say the TCS has ever been active, but every time I get on a wet metal bridge, I'm glad its there.
CYYJ
Michael
In the 20 years I have owned my ST 1100, the TCS has only activated 3 or 4 times - but I think that in each case, activation was very useful and helpful and might have prevented me from dropping the bike as a result of the rear wheel fishtailing out.
In all all but one case, the system activated when I was stopped and began to accelerate away from a stop. The surface below the rear wheel was slippery (oil spill, or gravel). In the one case when the TCS activated while in motion, it was on a really ratty pea-gravel road.
I think it is a useful feature. I don't think there is much that could go wrong with it, other than that it might stop working (along with ABS) if one of the wheel speed sensors fails or is out of alignment. It's not the kind of feature that would ever leave you stranded at the roadside if it failed.
Michasel