All posts tagged motorcycle safety
Arai helmets video
When you think about a Japanese helmet manufacturer that has been in the same family for three generations, that’s some pretty impressive history to take in. This video takes us through the history and production of Arai helmets. Luckily for us, the Arai founder was a passionate motorcyclist himself and so the helmets are still made today with the driving principle behind them being whether it’s something you’d be happy wearing to protect your head.
When you see the Arai in-house helmet safety standard tests, you’ll see that they’re serious about what they say. They also have an Arai inspirational centre for training and workshopping. And really, how do you put a price on your brain anyway? Watch the video for more.
Belgium allows motorcycle lane splitting
Europe is currently going through some turbulent times on the motorcycle front with various debates occurring across the continent over new guard rails, power limits for bikes and just general laws on motorcycle behaviour. Mike Werner reports that in Belgium, motorcyclists are getting some new laws that will come into effect as of September 1st.
The laws seem to be slightly more liberal than the current trend of prohibitive or punitive legislation characterising motorcycle culture in Europe at the moment, and include stuff like lane splitting, carrying child passengers on motorcycles and where bikers can park. See below for the list of things that are changing in Belgium.
- Lane splitting/filtering: this will be allowed at speeds of up to 50 km/hr, and only when the speed difference between the car and a motorcycle doesn’t exceed 20 km/hr. Lane splitting is only allowed in the far left lane/s of a road.
- Parking on footpaths: motorcyclists can now park on footpaths as long as they leave a free space for pedestrians of at least 1.5 metres.
- Child passengers: Children over eight can ride as a normal pillion passenger, children between three and eight years of age can travel in child seats on motorcycles up to 125cc. Children under three cannot be passengers on bikes.
More after the jump.
Marco Simoncelli demonstrates ABS safety technology
Honda Motor Europe seems to have a wicked sense of humor, they had Marco Simoncelli take part in the 2011 eSafety Challenge event that took place earlier this week in Vienna, Austria.
Simoncelli who has been accused of everything but being a safe rider in MotoGP, demonstrated the benefits of motorcycle electronically controlled Combined-ABS, in this annual event that promotes awareness and understanding of vehicle safety systems and technologies.
“I am very pleased to join Honda at the eSafety Challenge today,” said Simoncelli. “Road safety is a critical issue for motorcyclists and advanced e safety technologies, such as Honda’s combined-ABS braking system, continue to help to keep riders stay safe and in full control of their vehicles”.
Source | honda.com
Motorcycle safety: stay a hero video
The Sussex Safer Roads partnership is doing some great stuff with their public awareness campaigns on road safety. This motorcycle safety video portrays the dreams of a little kid on a bicycle in his garage, who is lucky enough that his father comes home in one piece on his motorcycle that evening. The slogan “stay a hero, stay safe” should be a reminder to all the guys out there who will be riding their bikes this summer - many of you will have families and kids to go home to, who idolise what you do. The video comes after a a fantastic car safety ad about wearing seatbelts.
Source | Autoblog
Yamaha Tech3 truck kills motorcyclist in France
Yamaha’s Tech3 team upcoming weekend at Le Mans has started in a very tragic way. One of their trucks was invovled in fatal accident that caused the death of a 54-year old motorcyclist at the La Ciotat toll booth on the A50 highway in France.
The driver of the semi-trailer for some reason which still has to be determined by the police, backed up at the toll booth and hit the biker that was waiting directly behind him, trapping him under his truck and dragging him backwards for over 10 meters without ever realizing the presence of the motorcyclist.
Despite immediate medical help the biker died on the spot of his injuries. The driver is now in custody and should be prosecuted for manslaughter.
Source | motosblog.fr
Air bag leathers and brake lever protections to become mandatory in MotoGP?
Safety has become the priority in MotoGP and now Dorna is thinking of making air bag leathers for all riders and racing bikes have some sort off front brake lever protection made mandatory by 2012.
Apparently Dorna has already instated a special commission that is in talks with both Dainese and Alpinestars, top motorcycle apparel leaders, who supply the majority of GP riders and have been experimenting on track for the last couple of years with some excellent results (just ask Valentino Rossi and Marco Simoncelli about their Dainese suits) with their relative D-Air Technology and Electronic Airbag Technology.
While front brake protections have been talked about for years, especially after the 2006 Barcelona GP, when Sete Gibernau accidently clipped Loris Capirossi’s front brake and sent off a chain reaction of horrific crashes.
Several teams have tried to adopt some sort of lever protection (this photo shows what was on Randy de Puniet’s RC212V when he was racing for LCR Honda) but many riders are still reluctant to use anything, as they think their hand could remain trapped when they crash out and suffer a more severe injury, so there is talk of making a bigger and more covering front fairing.
Source | motosprint magazine April 11th, issue no. 14
Lorenzo and Checa at Nolan 2011 launch
The 2011 Nolan helmet range has been presented with brand ambassadors Jorge Lorenzo, Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri all on board to enjoy the 2011 range launch. The new year sees some innovative and exciting helmet development from Nolan, including the new X-501 enduro helmet with hermetic visor and the X-402 GR jet helmet with removable chin protector.
The full helmet range will get new colours and graphics and will concentrate on various niche products from full face to jet helmets and more. Riders Lorenzo, Checa and Melandri joined representatives of the Italian police force (Nolan is the official supplier of many European police units) all with the message that racing is for the track only and showing that Nolan is at the forefront of motorcycle safety in its helmet range.
Motoblog.it was at the launch event, and had the opportunity to interview the riders and test the Nolan X-802 - the top-of-the-range racing helmet from the brand. This racing helmet has some of the best technology around with sophisticated ventilation and anti-fog systems, that is comfortable and quiet to wear. Nolan produces a Melandri and two Stoner replicas of this helmet which comes with a triple shell protection. We’ll be bringing you more from the 2011 Nolan range, but in the meantime enjoy this gallery of the launch event.
High-speed motorcycle ride with Yamaha R1: video
Never ride a motorcycle in Russia. That’s the lesson we’ve taken from this video and while it would be morbid to take bets on how long this motorcyclist will live, the guy is clearly a total nutcase. The Yamaha R1 might be one of the fastest bikes around but when you ride like an idiot, it won’t do much for your invincibility. We can’t figure out which is more dangerous in this crazy motorcycle video - the wheelies with oncoming traffic or the high speed dodging of cars that are turning corners.
Clearly someone who thinks they’re a hotshot. The music (a kind of techno version of Stravinsky) combines with a caption that apparently reads: “A couple minutes of my life could be more interesting than the whole life of the other people.” We hope that this particular rider is truly a one-off fool….
Source | Autoblog.com
New laws for roadworthiness and motorcycle tuning in Europe
UK and European motorcycle enthusiasts might find their enthusiasm dampens a little as possible changes on laws regarding tuning and aftermarket parts and regular maintenance tests are considered. The EU plans to introduce changes to roadworthiness and motorcycle safety laws which might see spontaneous road-side checks on bikes and restrictions on accessories.
MCN reports that the new laws involve everything from compulsory checks after accidents and change of ownership, more frequent testing of bikes and even the standardisation of roadworthiness laws across Europe by adopting those of whichever country has the strictest.
One concern is that modifying bikes would become more difficult and that laws from a company like Germany - where individual motorcycle parts must be tested and approved - could be adopted. While we should be careful not to exaggerate, there is some concern that it would become near impossible to fit any parts that are not officially from the manufacturer of the bike with clear implications for the after market parts business. To see more and vote on the changes, visit the Your Voice forms on the EU website.
Photo | Flickr
Crashproof bike fails test: video
This incredible video is so bizarre that I don’t know what to make of it…. Hoping the guy is okay, though, it almost seems like a spoof because really - could anything go this wrong when filming? The idea is that TFKL engineering has developed a crashproof bike that sends information from an on-board computer to the rider’s helmet, thus avoiding hazards and obstacles on the road, specifically cars that might run into you.
You can see what’s going to happen when they introduce the demonstration that they are going to undertake with a car driving down the road and not looking where it’s going. I can’t find TFKL engineering on the internet so have no information about its prototype or whether the company exists. Check out what happens in the video and whatever the case, it proves that crashproof computer technology just doesn’t work. Thanks to Craig for sending it through.
Recall for Kawasaki Z1000 2010
Kawasaki has issued a recall of its 2010 Z1000 models, both the standard and ABS models, due to a problem with brake hydraulics. Owners are encouraged to get their bikes checked, with the problem being specifically that the brake hose could come into contact with the brake disc in hard braking, therefore creating a possible brake fluid leak in the future.
The work would involving replacing and/or adjusting the brake hose and involves about 1,160 units. Your Kawasaki dealer can check the problem, which was originally discovered on June 15 after repairs for two models were filed at the European distributor. No accidents have been reported and since the Toyota recall scandal, many companies have been very cautious about safety. Better safe than sorry, though.
Source | Motosblog.fr
Motorcycle commercial: bikes never crash alone
This motorcycle commercial is so good it could easily be an advertisement for motorcycle safety, but as is, the guys from Allstate Insurance in the US have put it together. We gather than often shocking advertising in the US is not considered politically correct and the clever thing of this commercial is that you don’t see any violence actually inflicted on people.
Often motorcyclists and insurance companies don’t get along too well, either, but we get the feeling Allstate may have been able to connect in just the right way with its biker customers.
Source | Asphalt&Rubber
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