Loss of Traction

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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.