Background Of Motorcycle Anti-lock Braking System
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to Motorcycles.about.com, is reacting to reviews of various statistics relating to the increase of motorcycle riders, number of riding miles, and fatal motorcycle accidents. With pressure from insurance companies, among others, the NHTSA is pondering a move to make anti-lock brakes mandatory on motorcycles.
Background
A problem with motorcycles and scooters is that riders, when faced with a crisis situation, often tend to over-brake or under-brake. Over-braking can result in locked wheels, loss of control, property damage, and often injuries or death. Under- braking can result in collision, loss of control, property damage, and often injuries or death.
Engineers realized that a brake system that would let the rider apply the brakes hard, without fear of lockup, would eliminate quite a bit of the problem. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) worked great on cars. Why not try it on motorcycles and their cousins, the scooters?
The question became, who was big enough to harbor a storm of disbelief and hostility by introducing ABS on a motorcycle?
Move towards progress
Motorcycle.com reports BMW's K100 as the spearhead in introducing ABS on a motorcycle. Searching for a year, I found the answer at ibmwr.org: 1987, on the already solid K100. This important step in worldwide motorcycle safety achieved some response from other companies.
Asphalt and Rubber, in an editorial July 3, 2009, reminded readers that Honda released the VFR Interceptor with ABS back in 2002. Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine also presents a press release summarization at some point near 2005, where Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s President and CEO, Takeo Fukui, promised that all Honda's future street motorcycles with engine displacements over 250cc, would be equipped with an advanced combined/anti-lock braking system (ABS) by the end of 2010. New braking technology also was initially fitted to all new touring and sport bikes starting the end of 2007. The press release is no longer at Honda.com's archives, but is referenced to in other articles, such as Motorcycle.com's Should ABS be required on all motorcycles?
Not to be left behind in the gentle nudge towards rider safety, Harley-Davidson became the subject of a January 25, 2005 PoliceOne.com Press Release. That's right, the bad boys were out to protect those who protect us by making the ABS system optional on three of the 2005 Harley-Davidson police models: the FLHTPI Electra Glide, FLHPI Road King, and the California FLHPEI Escort.
BMW, Honda, and Harley-Davidson continue to show motorcycles with ABS. Safety features that have become incorporated in automobiles are being reconfigured for application to motorcycles, such as rear-wheel traction control system and power steering, and their riders, such as integrated airbags in leather suits and memory foam to encourage form-fit helmets.
Whose responsibility?
When it comes to motorcycles, the NHTSA tends to back off. Public pressure and an unwillingness to embrace helmets as a superior item resulted in a long, and composed unresolved, battle. Some, but not all, motorcycle companies are adding ABS as standard equipment. The system definitely works to helping own control and avoid collisions. Cost might play a factor in why bikes are produced without ABS, but the price of insurance, medical care, and funerals are expensive, also. I believe we are seeing the signs of an upcoming struggle for mandatory ABS, because otherwise, it won't happen.
When or if it does, it will be with qualifications. That's okay. Perhaps street bikes only will be affected. That's okay, too. It will affect the main numbers involved in accidents across the nations, and most likely reduce the number of incidents, even as the number of drivers continues to grow.
Sources:
Basem Wasef, Basem's Motorcycles Blog, July 2009 NHTSA Considers making ABS Mandatory for Motorcycles
Motorcycle.com staff, May 14, 2010, Should ABS be required on all motorcycles?
Brian S. Brumfield, FAQ Facts K100
Jenny Guin, Mandatory Anti-Lock Brakes on Motorcycles? July 3, 2009
Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine, Feb 2009, Honda promises Combined ABS Brakes on all street motorcycles over 250 cc by 2010
PoliceOne.com, Press Release 1/25/05, Harley-Davidson offers ABS on 2005 Police Models
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Filed under Interceptor by on Jan 24th, 2012. 