For generations, motorcyclists have ridden the open roads of every corner in the nation. Since the introduction of internal combustion motorcycles in 1885, the world has loved the idea of the two-wheel motorbike. It’s freeing and exhilarating, unlike any other vehicle that exists. Its popularity has only grown over the centuries and is still an enormous industry. The Motorcycle Market in the United States alone is estimated at just under 11 billion dollars.
There is one overwhelming issue with motorcycles though; they’re a safety nightmare. An outrageous 4,985 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2018. That’s an average of 13.5 riders a day losing their lives.
When an issue presents itself, our nation comes up with solutions. Motorcycle safety is no different. Practicing safe-riding tactics is tremendously important but having the best equipment and technology possible to protect you from the road is even more so. Every day, new safety gear and technology is being invented. From helmets to GPS software, safety products on the market are growing exponentially. We’ve put together some of the best new inventions money can buy to show you the importance of motorcycle safety. Motorcycles are a fun way to get from place to place but choosing the right gear or equipment can help to turn around the number of injuries and fatalities in the coming year. Whether you ride by the beautiful beaches of Sarasota, Florida or through the mountain ranges of Colorado; having proper safety equipment is essential.
TALI Connected Helmet
TALI is a motorcycle equipment manufacturing company that has created a helmet called TALI Connected. It is built with a revolutionary design and features. It comes with an integrated lighting system that includes yellow lights on either side that serve as turn signals and flashers, while red lights in the back make for an extra set of brake lights. Whatever your motorcycle does, the TALI helmet does as well.
The helmet is designed to meet DOT standards and adds even more protection through its design with extra padding for the back of the head.
Bosch Safety Systems
Bosch has now released a multi-function system that conquers much of the safety concerns riders have. The system contains engine management functions that monitor engine operation, fuel injection, and timing of the ignition. This all adds together to form a machine that saves fuel and emits far less pollution.
The system also contains an MSC (motorcycle stability control) function. Stability is a huge part of being a solid rider on a motorcycle. The MSC system can help support riders on straight-roads and balance riders on corners. It monitors torque, lean angle, and acceleration.
The best function it possesses, however, is the rider assistance system. It acts as an extra sense for riders. With blind-spot detection and forward collision warning, the system as a whole will undoubtedly save lives.
Alpinestars Tech-Air
It’s a well-known fact that passenger-vehicle airbags have reduced the number of fatal car accidents. Motorcycle engineers at Alpinestars noticed this and added airbags to their racers. They have now developed equipment that is made for real-road riders as well.
The Tech-Air system is an independent airbag that zips and wears like a shirt that protects the upper body, neck, and spine. Every second counts, so the Tech-Air system can sense impact to deploy the airbags just like a passenger-vehicle would.
ABS Systems
Now developed in motorcycles by many different companies, anti-lock braking systems prevent the wheels of a motorcycle from locking during hard-braking situations. The system uses speed sensors and adjusts the pressure of the brakes.
The reason this is much more important on motorcycles than in cars is because riders don’t have the luxury of seat-belts. Hard stops that will lock up the braking system can lead to skidding and crashing, or worse, flipping over the bike and rolling. The ABS system allows the motorcycle to keep traction with the road and prevent further accidents.
B2V Communications
In recent years, car manufacturing companies have begun to develop systems called vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology, or V2V. These V2V systems allow vehicles next to one another to communicate through a Bluetooth or wi-fi connection. That allows drivers to speak the actions they are about to perform while driving.
Motorcycle companies took notice and came up with their own version of that same communication system. They dubbed it B2V, or bike-to-vehicle. The same concepts apply, which could make drivers more aware of surrounding motorcyclists. Riders can communicate to drivers where they are, what they plan to do, or to help to avert crashes. This ingenious system could reduce the number of collisions radically.
Adaptive Headlights
Companies are now fitting their bikes with adaptive headlights. Gone are the old days in which headlights simply lit the road directly in front of you. Adaptive headlights will take turns and corners with you.
Poor visibility was a major concern for night-time riders. Motorcycle headlights of the past were not lighting the road nearly enough. Many riders resorted to high-beams, which could be equally dangerous for oncoming vehicles. The headlights are filled with sensors that can track the turns you might make and the dark roads you may be riding on. The lights can then move around the turn with the motorcycle and illuminate brighter or darker based on surrounding light. Of the 4,985 accident-related deaths in 2018, 37% of them were single-vehicle crashes. That means that only the motorcycle was involved in the accident. Adaptive headlights could help dramatically reduce to that chilling statistic.
Dainese 4 Stroke EVO Gloves
You may be wondering what gloves could possibly do to protect riders; the answer is, much more than you think. Humans have an instinct to catch themselves with their hands when they fall. Motorcyclists not wearing gloves could end up with road-burns, broken fingers, and shattered arms. Gloves protect your hands if you fall, but they also give your wrists and arms more stability.
The Dainese 4 Stroke EVO gloves are built like racing gloves, with composite inserts of stainless steel. Instead of your hands meeting asphalt when you fall, the asphalt will meet stainless steel.
Automatic Clutch and Shift
Most motorcycles, until recently, were made with manual clutch and shifts. It was an anomaly to have an automatic motorcycle, which were usually custom-built for disabled riders. Now, automatic motorcycles are available to everyone.
With the ability to simply go and stop only using the throttle, riders can drive smoother and stall less. That function of stopping and going easily can lead to better flow for the motorcycle.
Riding with Safety in Mind
You should always ride defensively on your motorcycle, but the other drivers on the road never seem to be quite as concerned. Using safety equipment and gear like the products above can highly decrease the likelihood of you getting into a fatal accident. Any safety equipment is good to use, but having the best could mean life or death.
If you’ve already experienced the torture of an injury on a motorcycle, Dennis Hernandez & Associates, located in Sarasota, can fight for you to get the compensation you rightfully deserve.