Motorcycle Explorer July 2016 Issue 12 | Page 147

Rider Selection Again this shows the 1050 is not an entry bike as you get the ABS as standard but you can play around with the ABS. You have at your command the Bosch 9M+ two channel, anti-lock braking system that prevents wheel lock up and helps to cut down the chance of doing an “endo”, where you pull the front brake so hard you end up with the bike doing a handstand... then flipping over and landing on your ass! But you get more options with the ABS as you can control if the ABS works on the front, rear or none. In off road mode only the rear wheel is freed from the ABS. The cast wheels rather than spokes do suggest that the 1050’s home is on the tarmac but the option is there for you. Traction control is on the 1050 as standard also and you have a choice. Depending of the engine mode you have the bike in depends on when the TC kicks in. If you’ve over cooked the ride by wire and the rear wheel starts to spin then in milliseconds the power is cut down. You get the ‘you cocked that up’ flashing light on the dash to let you know. Engine modes are Sport, Road and Rain but you can also turn the TC off if you feel you know better.