RDRS Harley-Davidson 2020: The coming technological revolution

Every summer, at the end of August, the Motor Company uses its international dealer meeting (Summer Dealer Meeting) to present the following year's new products, which will be available at dealerships shortly.

These new releases tend to generate a lot of excitement; loyal customers like to know the surprises with which HD aims to maintain its market share and reach new customers. Following its "More Roads To Harley-Davidson" announcement, a campaign in which the brand unveiled its plans to build low-displacement models, electric motorcycles, and off-road concepts, interest was at its peak.

No news?

Those looking for new models and engines, disruptive concepts, or reinvented classics have certainly been left indifferent. With the exception of the Low Rider S (a "normal" Low Rider with a sporty touch and a Sons of Anarchy aesthetic), the 2020 models are very similar to those of the previous year. Of course, the big news is the arrival at dealerships of the Livewire model, HD's first electric motorcycle, but its appearance has been so widely discussed this year that it's unlikely to surprise the public (at least until they get on it and twist the throttle).

However, this continuity is only apparent, as Harley-Davidson is making great efforts to incorporate technology into its products to make them more competitive, safer, and more attractive to new generations of customers.

The real revolution: RDRS

These initials represent the concept of Reflex Defensive Rider Systems. This isn't, as it might seem, a laser-guided missile launcher for cutting through heavy traffic. It's the brand name for a series of technological driving safety systems that we're going to explain in the simplest possible way, detailing each of their components.

• ABS : It is the basis of the active safety system, providing an anti-lock system for straight-line braking.
• C-ABS : This technology automatically varies braking pressure even on curves, calculating the inclination and slippage, providing greater tire grip.
• ELB : This system acts as a digital brake force distributor, distributing pressure between the front and rear calipers depending on speed, deceleration, mass transfer... regardless of whether the driver applies the front, rear or both brakes.
• C-ELB : This is the ELB braking system applied on steep curves, where lateral slippage is calculated in real time to try to correct it.
• C-TCS : This consists of an electronic traction control system that regulates the power transmitted when the vehicle accelerates and the rear wheel spins due to excessive torque or a slippery surface (e.g., the paint on a zebra crossing). It has two modes: standard driving and wet driving.
• DSCS : In this case, we're talking about deceleration control. It acts when the wheel spins during sudden deceleration, slightly increasing the power transmitted to the rear wheel and preventing dangerous skidding.
• C-DSCS : Like the previous system, it is based on traction control when decelerating, in this case it acts with the motorcycle leaning in the curves, to minimize the risk of falls due to lateral sliding.
• VHC : Works like a hill start assist. With the motorcycle stopped on a slope, the brake locks slightly until the throttle and clutch are applied, allowing you to safely exit a hill or stop on a parking ramp and continue onward. It's like having a "handbrake" that makes these maneuvers easier.
• TPMS : Remotely monitors tire pressure and helps increase safety and tire life.
• HD Connect : Although not technically included in the RDRS, this mobile app allows us to monitor the motorcycle's systems, control its overall condition, and monitor its location via GPS. It also offers other features such as a maintenance manager (services), a dealer and event finder, and more.

Compatible models

The Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) is new for 2020 in some specific models for the American market (CVO, Police, LiveWire...) and as an option in other models, and will probably be progressively integrated into the brand's entire motorcycle range.

As you can see, for another year, Harley-Davidson "changes so that nothing changes," subtly adding the latest technological innovations to its models, without losing the aesthetic classicism that characterizes the brand.