Single Channel vs. Dual Channel ABS: What's the Difference?

TVS Community

25 Jul 2021

ABS expanded stands for anti-lock braking system. It's a device that greatly enhances safety on a motorcycle. The ABS ensures that the wheels of the motorcycle do not lock even under very hard braking. This prevents skids and allows the motorcycle to be steered around an obstacle, dramatically improving safety and greatly reducing the chance of a rider crashing. ABS works through sensors that are mounted on the wheels of the motorcycle. The sensors send data to a microcomputer, which is known as the ABS module. The ABS module constantly monitors wheel speed through the sensors under braking, and when it senses that the wheels are locking due to a high braking pressure, the ABS module modulates brake pressure to ensure that the wheels do not lock up. Typically, there are two types of ABS systems deployed on motorcycles that cost less than Rs. 3 lakh - single channel ABS a.k.a supermoto ABS and dual channel ABS. Single channel ABS is a system that works only on the front wheel and brake of the motorcycle. Dual channel ABS works on both the front and rear wheels of the motorcycle. Since most braking on a motorcycle happens on the front wheel, a single channel ABS is sufficient for most situations. Also, while riding off the road, most riders prefer a single channel ABS as the rear wheel often needs to be skidded or slid to go around a corner. This is also a reason why most off-road motorcycles either offer a single channel ABS as standard or offer the rider the option of switching off the rear wheel’s ABS while riding off the road. On the other hand, a dual channel ABS system allows the rider to go hard on both the brakes, offering the best braking performance. On road, a dual channel ABS is superior while a single channel ABS is your best bet off the road.