The most controversial motorcycle unveiled in 2024 wasn’t some far-out chopper or high-horsepower crotch rocket. It was the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO, thanks to a new auto-braking system included with the electronics package. And now, despite a mixed reaction from the public, Bosch’s leaders say there are more bikes en route with this technology.
This reveal comes from the good people of Motorcycle News, who had an interview with Bosch bigwig Geoff Liersch recently (he heads up their Two-Wheeler and Powersports department). He says there are more bikes coming down the pipe with Bosch’s Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS).
The ARAS discussion
In case you missed the flap earlier this summer, the controversy behind Bosch’s ARAS components is the auto-braking feature, mostly. ARAS uses a combination of sensors, including radar sensors, to determine not just your own motorcycle’s vectors while moving, but also traffic and objects around you. ARAS can use this information to maintain position during a group ride. It also features a new Stop And Go system, which is basically an even more advanced version of adaptive cruise control. Previously, adaptive cruise control would maintain a riding speed until it detected a vehicle in front, and then it would maintain a predetermined following distance, but riders still had to stop for traffic signals, etc. The new Stop And Go system does all that, but also can manage stops for the rider.
It kinda makes you wonder what’s actually left for the rider to control?
And it goes on from there, to include a new emergency braking function. Here’s how Bosch describes its workings:
Hazardous situations on the road require not only a rapid response but, in many cases, emergency braking. Every second counts when it comes to preventing collisions and avoiding potentially serious consequences. Emergency brake assist is triggered when the system detects a risk of collision, and the rider doesn’t brake hard enough. In this case, the function actively increases the wheel brake pressure further to reduce the bike’s speed as quickly as possible.
In other words, if you aren’t braking hard enough, or at least, if the computer thinks you aren’t braking hard enough, it will apply more braking power to slow you down.
There’s lots more to dig into at Bosch’s website, explaining the new system.
New bikes?
Now, Liersch has told MCN that there are more machines coming with ARAS built-in, and even more features that aren’t currently available on the KTM 1390. He couldn’t name the machines, as they’re under development, but we see no reason to disbelieve him.
It makes us speculate, obviously—what bikes? Maybe BMWs, or something else from Pierer AG? And what are the new features? You really wonder if there are any frontiers left for the electro-wizards to explore. Maybe an onboard geo-fenced speed governor, to stop you from breaking the law/getting a ticket? It seems that’s the logical conclusion for much of this tech…
