Unlike regular cruise control systems, active or predictive cruise control systems use sensors to automatically adapt to the speed of the vehicle in front. This tech has been around on cars for many years now, but BMW Motorrad is now set to mark its debut on its motorcycles. The Active Cruise Control (ACC) system has been developed in cooperation with the partner, Bosch. According to BMW, “the many years of experience with passenger car driver assistance systems of both companies could be applied selectively here and used for motorcycle applications.”

The new system developed is capable of automatically regulating the vehicle speed when the distance to the vehicle in front is reduced, and keeps the distance defined by the rider. This distance can be varied in three stages. Both, the riding speed as well as the distance to the vehicle in front can be set conveniently using a button. The new BMW Motorrad ACC has two selectable control characteristics: Comfortable and Dynamic, in which the acceleration and deceleration behaviour are changed accordingly. 

Moreover, when cornering, the speed is automatically reduced by the ACC if required, and a comfortable lean angle. With an increasing lean angle, however, the braking and acceleration dynamics are limited in order to maintain a stable rideability and not to unsettle the rider by abrupt braking or acceleration. BMW Motorrad has also made it clear that ACC is a rider- assistance system that leaves the responsibility with the rider and allows them to intervene at all times.

The company hasn’t revealed which motorcycle in its line-up will get the tech, but we can expect it on most of the sport-touring and adventure offerings.