The Motorcycle Part that Takes Two Years to Build

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Directed and Edited by Edwin El Bainou

[incorrectbeans]

I bet they're not telling the full truth. It just takes two months, the rest of the time they hang around watching F9 videos.

[ElectronNinja]

As someone who designs this sort of stuff (controls), getting something to work is one thing. Getting it to work _well_ especially when there's the human component of feel and connection (ie.. flight controls) is a whole other level of tuning/design. It helps _a lot_ when the engineers involved also ride, fly, etc.

Props to Bosch!

[peteraugust]

I once worked in automatic gearbox control unit development. Mostly I was building fixtures to check gearbox parts for vibrations to ensure that they do not fail. The amount of work that goes into these components is insane. At times I was working on circuit boards that were in vibration testing for over a year already, improving their mounting points and even the location of components to ensure reliable function. Now you have to realize that in an automatic gearbox there is 100 parts like that circuit board and vibration is one of 100 influencing factors to consider in the development and you understand why there is entire city blocks dedicated to develop components like this one.

[rorywhyte]

Something Motorcycle-related which takes two years to arrive? An F9 video ;)

[nhancao]

Last time I was this early 4-cylinder small displacement bikes were still commercially viable.

[veersr]

A few years ago a stranger approached me to ask me how I liked the ABS on my bike. An odd thing to ask someone in a hotel parking lot. Turned out it was an engineer working on the cornering ABS on the bike I was riding. Small world. Also goes to show that Bosch has some really passionate and nerdy people working on these boxes. :)

I also asked him why the ABS on the typical European Bike is so much less intrusive than even a Japanese Superbike (hello R1). Couldn't quite get a straight answer but it was along the lines of the video, every manufacturer wants different trade offs in their calibration. I still don't know who went, yeah I think drunk nanny is the right level of assistance for the R1 but it's certainly not the only thing they can build.

[kainm]

Great insight into Calibration. I've been doing this kind of stuff for almost 15 years now (driveability and air system on Diesel engines), and it's crazy how much effort can go into a simple control unit. But it's so rewarding when the manufacturer gladly advertises their "new turbocharger with greatly improved throttle response" and all that's changed is the mounting bracket - and your calibration.
I agree with you, calibration brings the personality of an engineer into the product - all within the boundaries of what the "brand" will tolerate, of course.
Guys like Nader or myself usually remain completely invisible to the customer, even though our impact on the final product is huge.

[ElvisSirinBo]

It's fascinating experience working in the development of automatic gearbox control units. The complexity and attention to detail required in ensuring the reliability of these components are indeed immense. Vibration testing, as you mentioned, is just one of many factors that engineers must consider to ensure that each part functions reliably under various conditions. The fact that circuit boards can undergo over a year of vibration testing highlights the rigorous processes involved.

[Ishimuro]

Ryan in Leather? Now that's something :D

[craigiedema]

The F9 team continues to put amazing content.

[bartthetreeguy]

I don't often laugh when I'm watching a video alone. When he took off running and fell, I lost it. Great video!

[Dustin]

Jeez Ryan... you're Canadian. You should KNOW how to run on a slippery surface!

[azharc]

3000+ variables derived from braking and traction analytics. As a programmer myself, that's mind boggling. Absolute superb work in the making.

[MrBayoumi]

@7:51 I can see how good Husqvarna did that on a very high level with the traction control on the Norden 901. The offroad mode is so good it knows when I want to do a drift turn and when i just want to turn without loosing the rear too much. its like the Norden can read my mind.

[DansDrives]

This is legitimately the best channel on YouTube, rider or not. Production quality is Hollywood level.

[DavidFrostbite]

In adaptive systems like this, I wish there was some sort of visual feedback so we could see what "mode" the abs was in.
It would make it a lot more usefull to see how the computer was reacting to inputs, as opposed to people getting frustrated and just pulling the abs fuse.

[DavidLeeKersey]

That long lingering shot of Ryan there at the end was just perfection.

[ianwarren]

Best F9 video in a long time!
Lots of good info and technical detail mixed in with some lovely comic delivery!
Thanks Ryan F9

[freechasehappy]

I work on similar systems on heavy equipment and we have to do so much tuning that controls retains its mechanical feel, while granting a lot more capabilities and functionality from a hydro-electronic system.

[mawwalmazie]

The key for excellent braking is constant deceleration without slipping or locking up, typical abs however intervenes by cutting off brake pressure so the final distance adds up because you have some moments where you're not decelerating to avoid locking. From what I learn here Bosch is keen to fix this by making the brakes constantly modulates pressure instead cutting it off to avoid locking up, simulating a brake-by-wire system while maintaining actual analog hydraulic controls, props to them.