Loss of Traction

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.