7 New Motorcycles With Innovative Safety Features

wallSt CheatSheet ^ | MARCH 30, 2014 | ERIC SCHAAL

[kingattax]

While some of the danger involved in riding motorcycles can be attributed to poor driving skills or intoxication, there are facts that do not lend themselves to interpretation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that during its last review of data in 2012, motorcycle fatalities increased over 7 percent, while states without helmet laws showed ten times more fatalities than those that mandated helmet use when riding a bike.

About 15 percent of all highway deaths were from motorcyle riders, making motorcycle riders around 30 times more at risk than car and truck drivers — and about 50 percent of bike crashes involved no other vehicles.

Clearly, motorcycle riders’ biggest enemies are themselves. To the end of reducing the number of motorcycle injuries and fatalities, there are bikes that make safety features a priority. Here are seven models that aim to keep riders safe with innovative equipment.

[shibumi]

Very Kewl! Your Trumps obviously have a good loving home.

Many years ago, before I bought the Guzzi I had a Norton Atlas. The “Vibro-Bike.” That was before they came out with the “Iso-Lastic” suspension for the motor.

I sold both (stupidly) and now I want to find the Guzzi again. Trouble is, good examples are through the roof. The bike in that photo was restored by Cycle Garden in Huntington Beach, Ca. and they charge close to $20K for a fully restored Police Model. Looks like I’ll be buying a beater and fixing it myself.

I remember I paid $1,597 for my Guzzi Ambo, complete with fairing and bags. (I defrayed most of the cost by trading an Austin Healey 100/6 that the dealer wanted. Should have kept that too.)

[Arlis]

A fellow Harley rider is a Guzzi nut, and rides his more than his Harley.

A friend of mine had one when I was in college (mid-60’s), and I remember what a monster it was. Made another friends BMW 50 look small.... I rode the Bimmer, but not the Guzzi........

[Edward Teach]

I never claimed to be right in my head...

[shibumi]

I have ridden Norton, Harley, Honda, BSA, Trump, BMW(airhead) and nothing, but nothing is a stable on the road as an old Guzzi Loopframe.

Your friend will probably tell you that on the Guzzi, he feels totally secure and in control. Currently I have an old (84) GoldWing with top-of-the-line Pirellis on it. Still not the same.

[longtermmemmory]

the airbag vest is suicide gear. It throws you up and over in an accident guaranteeing a direct head smash and neck SNAP.

there is a reason it is not approved in the usa.

The only so called innovations are floating roters (old tech) and abs brakes.

this is not a safety list it is an advertisement for nonsense.

[Gay State Conservative]

As one who worked 20+ years in a major hospital's ER I can confirm the the accuracy of the claim often heard that bikes are referred to as “donor cycles” in hospital ERs.

[longtermmemmory]

most of those accidents are those who have ridden for less than six months AND have no motorcycle endorsement/training.

[Spktyr]

Actually, highway work is statistically safer than surface street riding. For one thing, no T-bones.

[Spktyr]

Um, no, it doesn’t do that. It doesn’t even deploy until you have already begun separation from the bike!

You also forgot radial calipers, cervical collars and other innovations - including traction control and even yaw control.

[Spktyr]

And how many of the ‘donors’ were 1. sober and 2. wearing helmets and full gear?

[Spktyr]

Also, the 883 isn’t ‘light’ for highway riding as it weighs more than my Honda 919. It’s just underpowered for its bulk and doesn’t have a very good frame. Or brakes. Or really anything. :P

I had a 2000 Sportster 883. First Harley, worst bike I ever had, sold it back to the dealer after about six months due to suckage and ongoing quality issues. Went back to the Japanese bikes and haven’t looked back.

[Lee'sGhost]

I can’t say that’s “unbelievable,” but it is stupid.

As a rider myself I support helmet laws. Here’s the way I see it; if riders can show that they have enough insurance to pay for their care for the rest of their lives in a vegetative state, then fine. Go without. As long as you don’t become a responsibility of society. OR...if you can guarantee that you will die after such a wreck, then that’s OK too.

[Lee'sGhost]

HA! I lived in Boulder. Smug ain’t the word for it.

[Seruzawa]

“Its a shame they decided to roost at FR.”

I feel zero need to justify my decision to ride. Instead non-riders should justify why they are pantywaists. Most amusing are the clowns who post “donor cycles” and such and think they are witty or creative. Well, I have nicknames for those who don’t ride. Drone and yellow coward head the list.

[gunsequalfreedom]

Motorcycle = Organ donor mobile.

It only took me one time of getting knocked off a street bike by a car to know you are correct.

Getting hit broadside by a car is not fun - fortunately the car's bumper took out the back shock and not my leg. Missed my leg by inches. Flying through the air and landing on pavement hurt though.

[left that other site]

That’s why I always wear mine.

I have become quite fond of ALL my Brain cells, and don’t want to lose any of them.

[MarkL]

I was thinking about air-bag technology as the first item, and I was a bit surprised to see the Ducati entry This is top-of-the-line racing technology, and I'm glad to see it coming to the consumer market, though it will probably take 5 or more years for it to mature enough to become really affordable.

AlpineStars is one of the real leaders in the field, and their airbag equipped leathers have been used by MotoGP riders for the last couple of years. There have been a number of rider crashes that ended with injuries FAR LESS severe that they would have been without the airbags, and quite often riders walk away from crashes that would have sent them to the hospital without the airbags.

Jorge Lorenzo testing his airbag suit during practice. He was a bit banged up, but walked away and is seen in the pit garage just a few minutes later. He went on to take second place in the MotoGP race (the motorcycle equivalent of "Grand Prix.")

Here's a video of the crash

And a very cool video about the technology.

Mark

[MarkL]

Gas turbine powered motorcycle... YOWZA!!! The powerplant is out of a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter!

Mark

[MarkL]

Anyone who’d set two gallons of gas afire and then sit a-straddle of it ain’t right in his head.

Anyone who doesn't want to do that should be in the grave or at least playing bingo at the nursing home.

What, do you guys mean like Colin Edwards, the Texas Tornado BBQ?

During race practice, his fuel tank cap began leaking at nearly 160MPH! He was able to slow the bike and jump off.

Mark

[MarkL]

The problem with the airbag concept is this. As it deploys, it’ll send you clear of your bike.....into the traffic behind you.Uhhh.... No! They don't use a car airbag that launches you off the bike!

Mark