Motorcycle safety is crucial
– accidents involving motorcycles are some of the worst to imagine. The
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that about 4,990
motorcyclists died in 2017 – that’s sad news. However, advances in motorbike
safety technology are bringing some hope to motorcycle riders. At least, these
crashes can now be prevented to some extent. In the years ahead, new gears,
electronics, equipment, and helmet features will help reduce accidents and
injuries involving motorcycles. That being said, let’s look at some of the
recent innovations in motorcycle safety features
that you need to know about.
Anti-lock
Brakes
A motorcyclist may slam on the brakes to avoid skidding on a slick
surface or hitting the car in front. This can cause the wheels of the
motorcycle to lock up which could mean a serious fall. Anti-lock braking
systems (ABS) help prevent locking up of the wheels. When a lockup is just
about to occur, the system kicks in to reduce brake pressure. After the bike’s
wheel regains traction, ABS quickly increases pressure. This kind of braking
system has helped reduce fatal motorcycle crashes.
Airbag Clothing
Today’s cars and trucks come
with airbags as a standard feature. These activate at impact helping prevent
drivers or passengers from banging into the dashboard or steering wheel.
Airbags also offer cushioning from the car’s sides. Now, that’s for the
vehicles - what about motorbikes? Motorcyclists also need this kind of
protection and the manufacturing are making strides in developing advanced motorcycle safety features. Nowadays,
companies are making motorcycle jackets, vests, and bodysuits that feature
similar airbag technology. Similar to airbags in vehicles, a sensor helps
detect a crash, immediately triggering the airbag to inflate.
Adaptive Headlights - among the advanced motorcycle
safety features
A majority of older bikes
feature low-beam, fixed headlights that illuminate straight ahead of the bike.
This can be a problem when a rider steers into some dark corner – but thanks to
technology advances – adaptive motorcycle headlights come with sensors that
make the light to pivot. This helps improve visibility.
Electronic Tire Pressure Monitors
Motorcycle riders must
regularly check their tire's air pressure. Sadly, many riders only eyeball the
tires before taking a ride. Too low tire pressure can affect the ability of the
rider to handle the motorcycle. Besides, low tire pressure can cause damage to
the bike; it can reduce fuel efficiency, and cause the bike to feel sluggish.
However, with electronic tire pressure monitors, they help alert riders when
the tire pressure falls too low.
Automatic Clutch and Shift
In the past, if a rider wanted to ride a
motorcycle, they had to learn how to use the clutch and shifting of the gears –
and it was a challenge to them. However, motorcycle manufacturers like Honda
have come with various bike models that feature dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
With this kind of clutch transmission, the inbuilt computer of the bike does
the shifting for the rider. This makes it easier for novice motorcyclists to
ride the bike. It also allows a smoother shift of gear, better stability of the
bike, and a more increased fuel economy meaning more miles per gallon.
In
brief, technology advances in motorcycle
safety features are helping address the safety challenges that were
experienced with older bikes. Motorcyclists can now have smooth, safer, and
fuel-efficient rides.
No comments:
Post a Comment