Safety

Motorcycling, to many people, is dangerous and anti-social. But now, a new survey has shown that it’s not nearly as dangerous as riding a horse or skiing. Is it time to say, ’we told you so,’ to the insurance companies?

The European Parliament is discussing sweeping legislation to make the roads safer and cut deaths by 2030. Would automatic control of how fast we ride in certain situations be a step too far or do we need that restriction?

Stop sniggering. The Dutch Reach is not rude or suggestive: rather, it is a way of opening your car door with regard to the safety of other road users.

Triumph announces a new essential component of motorcycle safety equipment. The Triumph SOS app, specifically tailored for motorcyclists, and monitors sensors in your smartphone to detect and validate an accident and then request emergency services, even if you can’t.

Back in 2018, the MotoGP organizers Dorna and the FIM made a new call to make it compulsory for riders to wear a suit under the riding jacket that would expand with air upon impact. Just like the airbags in your car.

Much before that, the top tier safety gear manufacturers, Alpinestar and Dainese have been at it to develop safety equipment for riders across the world, including such airbag systems. For 2020, Alpinestar has released its brand new "Tech-Air 5", which is a “slim, self-contained wearable airbag vest” that can be worn under just about any riding jacket. Dainese, however, debuted its “Dainese Smart Jacket” system in 2019 itself.

The dreadful feeling of getting my dear motorcycle stolen or damaged has given me quite a few sleepless nights, especially in demographics I’ve traveled new to wander off. I’m sure most of you feel the same, and a few have already lost their motorcycle to petty witches of our society.

Motorcycle theft is a growing criminal activity in certain parts of the world. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles are the top five motorcycles, listed by brand, that were most frequently stolen last year. The top five states for motorcycle thefts were California, Florida, Texas, New York, and South Carolina.

The black market in motorcycle salvage is huge, and hence, only 45% of the stolen vehicles will be recovered. Here is our guide to help you secure your vehicle when left unattended and deter thieves from taking your motorcycle:

Harley Davidson, in a surprising PR stunt, has gone on record showcasing its future plans over the next five years in great detail. Blowing the door wide open, HD gave us a peek at all their new products coming in the next five years including new internal combustion engines (500cc, 750cc, 975cc and 1,250cc) that will go onto 16 new models and its Project LiveWire models.

Fresh information just came in with regards to a new patent filing by the Milwaukee brand suggesting ‘Emergency Autonomous Braking System’ in the event of a collision. The system will make use of multiple sensors to study the surroundings as well as the alertness of the rider before it intervenes to activate the braking systems autonomously.

The UK has been facing a notorious crime of motorcycle thefts. Things in London, however, is in a different level altogether. There were over 14,000 motorcycle thefts reported in London the last year, and 23,430 crimes were committed using motorcycles that were stolen of course.

On an average, 77 bikes worth are stolen per day and to crack this atrocity, London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke about manufacturers incorporating better anti-theft measures into their products to make it difficult for people just to whisk away bike without authorization. And joining Honda UK in this effort, Piaggio has offered to equip all the new Vespa GTS 300s’ and Piaggio Beverly 300/350s’ with tracking equipment free-of-charge.

Though still in development, KTM revealed its newest safety innovations in the form of Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection. The prototype systems installed on a 1290 Super Adventure S were demonstrated in Austria with the hopes of taking motorcycle safety to the next level.

Continue reading for more on KTM’s newest safety technologies.

Now that tax season is over and you have that fat refund in your pocket, the warming weather of spring may well have you thinking about bugs in your teeth and your fists in the wind. All bike mechanics, and most experienced riders, will already be familiar with the following procedures, but first-time buyers looking to pick up a used bike should pay attention, The following checks may save you a lot of money and aggravation in the long run.

Continue reading for my presale inspection tips.

Motorcycle theft is a growing criminal activity in certain parts of the world. Things in London, however, is in a different level altogether. There were over 14,000 motorcycle thefts reported in London the last year, and 23,430 crimes were committed using motorcycles that were stolen of course.

On an average, 65 bikes are stolen per day and the latest victims reported have been the folks at ZERO Motorcycles. And the irony is that the bikes were stolen from the back of a transporter van while they were on “theft tracking” tests.

NOTE: We do not endorse/promote stunt riding on public roads. Keep yourself and other road users safe. Always consider safety first and wear a helmet and all riding gear.

In a project aptly called as “Wheelie King”, Japanese Masaru Abe pulled off the longest wheelie on a two-wheeler creating a record that now stands at an incredible distance of 311 miles. It was done on a closed course, rather a pre-created track just for this feat under marshals and all safety factors are taken into considerations.

Then there is this guy, just like all spoilt brats out there attempting the wheelie on public roads – across Auckland’s Harbour Bridge exactly. It is apparently the ’world first’ wheelie across the span of the mile-long bridge. But he is, however, facing the heat from the authorities for this act.

I come into contact with lots of riders, partly because of my job, and partly because I enjoy talking to people about their bikes, riding experiences and the like. Most times, I get a pleasant conversation with “sea stories” added liberally thereunto. Sometimes, I come away genuinely concerned for the rider’s chances of surviving the trip home. Yesterday was just such a day, and it got me thinking about mistakes I see with alarming regularity. Before I get started on my little rant, I want to offer up this caveat: I’m not picking on any particular group, bike style or manufacturer. As far as I’m concerned, these mistakes are prevalent across the rider spectrum, with plenty of equal-opportunity fault to spread around. Some of the following is based on science, but for the most part, it simply reflects my own not-inconsiderable experience over the last 20-plus years of riding.

Continue reading for my list of things I see riders doing wrong.