Difference between revisions of "Loss of Traction"

Latest revision as of 04:04, 12 November 2019

The high torque of the electric powertrain can be an issue if you are not careful, especially on surfaces right after rain starts for the first times after a dry spell, as accumulated oil from vehicles has floated out of the pavement but not been washed away.

Electric Powertrain Risks

• The powertrain, once it breaks free of engaging with the ground, will spin up very quickly without quick operator reduction in throttle input.
• Re-engagement with a high difference in wheel speed to groundspeed can result in a jerky take-off or highside.

Aggravating Conditions

1. During takeoff

   When starting from a stop especially into a turn, the rear tire may slip above a certain torque.

2. While accelerating

   Torque reduction features in the bike programmed to make low speed take-off manageable may disengage in the 20-30mph range (32-48kph) and result in a loss of traction with no change in throttle input.

3. At speed

   The rear tire may slip when leaning into a turn or going over a bumpy and oily surface, initiating a fishtail.

4. On loose ground

   The rear tire may slip when engaged on loose gravel or sand, digging up the ground into a hole.

Recovery

• Ease off the throttle very slowly.
• Transfer your weight to the footpegs from the seat.
• Damp the oscillation through the handlebars, loosely to prevent initiating oversteer.

Mitigation

• If it rains after a long dry spell, Eco mode is worth trying because the torque roll-on rate is really low which means the onset of a slip can be recovered from without overreacting.