2012 BMW motorcycles will all include ABS

[sergeantnic]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...otorcycles.htm

Check out the video in the link above.

April 20, 2011 - After pioneering the concept of antilock brakes (ABS) on motorcycles 23 years ago, BMW Motorrad USA announced today that it will be the first motorcycle manufacturer to offer ABS as standard equipment on its entire range of 2012 model year motorcycles.

"Plain and simple, being able to stop a motorcycle faster and more predictably helps prevent a rider from becoming a statistic" said Pieter de Waal, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA.

"It’s time for all of us in the motorcycle industry to embrace the benefits of ABS. Extensive testing by safety experts, law enforcement authorities and journalists around the world consistently demonstrates that ABS reduces overall crashes and saves lives".

"We commend BMW for taking the lead to improve motorcycle safety" said David Strickland, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Motorcycle fatalities and injuries have been on an upward trend for the past ten years and ABS and other safety technologies can help reduce these tragedies".

An analysis of 2010 motorcycle crashes (story here) released today by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reveals that although motorcyclist fatalities are down for the past two years, they began to slightly increase in the third quarter of 2010.

GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha noted "We are concerned that motorcycle deaths may be on the rise again. ABS and other safety technologies and programs can help continue the progress that has been made in motorcycle safety".

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than models without ABS.

"I commend BMW for taking the lead in making ABS standard across the board" said Adrian Lund, IIHS president. "Our research results show ABS on motorcycles saves lives, and riders are taking note, too. A recent survey found that a majority of riders said they would look for ABS on their next bike".

According to IIHS, many factors contribute to motorcycle crashes, but improper braking was identified as a major pre-impact factor in a study of motorcycle crashes. When brakes are applied too gently, the rider risks colliding with the obstacle. If brakes are applied too hard, the wheels can lock and cause an overturn.

ABS is crash avoidance technology, meaning it helps reduce brake pressure by detecting an impending lockup and then increasing the pressure again when wheel traction is restored. Brake pressure is evaluated by a sensor multiple times per second, so riders may brake fully in a straight line without fear of locking up.

Many law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, concluded after testing that ABS reduced the number and severity of accidents and now mandate them on their police motorcycles.

Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for law enforcement use. More than 80,000 BMW police motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents.

In the United States, more than 225 law enforcement agencies have BMW police motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles. BMW was the first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce ABS in 1988 and now offers a sixth generation and numerous ABS options across its product line, including a system that can be switched off for off-road or track use.

In addition to ABS, BMW has pioneered other technologies to improve the safety and environmental impact of its motorcycles, including:

•The world’s first "Adaptive Headlight" for increased safety at night (available on the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL).
•A multi-controller on the left-hand grip (available on the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL), which allows riders to operate the motorcycle’s systems and adjust its settings without taking their hands off the bars.
•Electronic Suspension Adjustment -- ESA II – to allow rebound damping and spring rate to be adjusted at the touch of a button to suit load and road conditions
•Dynamic Traction Control (to adjust engine torque to the level of grip and angle of lean, reducing risk of wheel spin and improving control on treacherous surfaces).
•The world’s first motorcycle catalytic converter and closed loop fuel injection to radically reduce emissions Rider skill training is a key element to motorcycle safety.
The latest Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) Owner Survey found that fewer than 50 percent of riders have taken formal rider education and training such as the Basic RiderCourse (report) offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

BMW offers on- and off-road motorcycle training at the BMW Performance Driving School in Greer, South Carolina.

[KyleB]

[echoraven]

"A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than models without ABS."

That is one hell of a sobering statement. It makes me rethink my next bike...

[DeltaNu1142]

Good move by BMW. The statistic doesn't sell me, though... motorcycles with ABS are a hell of a lot more likely to be owned by conservative riders. I don't have a statistic on that, but my gut did an informal survey of my ass and found it to be true.

[Scottly]

Good motorcycles with ABS are a hell of a lot more likely to be owned by conservative riders.

Motorcycles with ABS are currently primarily DESIGNED for conservative riders...touring bikes, etc.

And I've had two of the Beemers with ABS. I like the one on my GSA, which allows me to switch on and off as I desire.

[sergeantnic]

My FJR has ABS and it's a great feature. I don't think I'd own another bike without ABS to be honest. I wouldn't say it has kept me out of a particular wreck but there have been a handful of instances where I have been glad to have it.

But I would classify myself as a conservative rider.


Click on the link in the first post and watch the video. Pretty crazy.

[DeltaNu1142]

Motorcycles with ABS are currently primarily DESIGNED for conservative riders...touring bikes, etc.

...I see you edited my quote... and I agree with you. Like ABS eventually found its way from higher-end & luxury cars into entry-level vehicles, we're going to start seeing it make the move from high-end & touring bikes to sportbikes, especially as its become a commonly-applied technology in the racing world.

[stevewfl]

ABS rocks and BMW can do no wrong lately

[PoppaNoDoz]

I love ABS and would be MUCH happier if I had a sportbike with it. I am SO tempted by the s1000rr because of the ABS / DTC. I don't have very many emergency stops in my riding, if anything I have very few, but if I have ONE emergency stop every 5 years (and I probably average one a year) then ABS is totally worth it.

The new ABS is totally track worthy to boot - much better than the older "kerchunk, kerchunk, kerchunk" systems.

[Spd_dmn_05]

My new bike has it, and I am NOT a conservative rider. Well, maybe at the moment I am, but not overall. Of course, ABS and traction control are two of the big reasons I bought my bike. Traction control could have prevented my high-side at Jennings

[sergeantnic]

ABS kept me from killing a dear down around Myakka about a month ago. Who knows how that would have turned out.

[DeltaNu1142]

My new bike has it, and I am NOT a conservative rider. Well, maybe at the moment I am, but not overall. Of course, ABS and traction control are two of the big reasons I bought my bike. Traction control could have prevented my high-side at Jennings

You've had the bike for less than a week... I should have said, "up to this point..." Clearly this is all going to change. BMW still doesn't have a very significant portion of the motorcycle market captured, but as more manufacturers of sportbikes adopt ABS as a standard across their entire lines, naturally more, uhh, "enthusiastic" riders are going to be riding machines equipped with it.

[DeltaNu1142]

This is the one that gets me...

"We commend BMW for taking the lead to improve motorcycle safety" said David Strickland, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Motorcycle fatalities and injuries have been on an upward trend for the past ten years and ABS and other safety technologies can help reduce these tragedies".

Uhhh... what?

[RCDAVE]

The Honda RR had them in 09. They are hard to beat. I wanted one actually and all they had in 09 was the repsol eddition. The only one in 09 that has them are the red ones. From what I read, Even Bsbk riders (pro) couldn't match the breaking distance until atleast 5 try's ! And not all of them could do it ! Would love to have them. Its not long before they have them on everything ! Its a 20lb trade off for a bike that stops better then you ever will. Im sold.

[jayrx7trbo2]

Whats funny, is the video, the guy just locks the breaks without Abs, he doesnt attept a controllable fast stop, kind of a cheat comparison... I know the point is what happens if you jam your breaks full on, but what rider does that???? Give a accurate test to see true comparison of stopping distnace in those conditions.. Geez....

[Spd_dmn_05]

You've had the bike for less than a week... I should have said, "up to this point..." Clearly this is all going to change. BMW still doesn't have a very significant portion of the motorcycle market captured, but as more manufacturers of sportbikes adopt ABS as a standard across their entire lines, naturally more, uhh, "enthusiastic" riders are going to be riding machines equipped with it.

LOL, yes, you are right about the market share. I do think the popularity is going to grow like mad and demand will increase significantly. But, I've had the bike less than 24 hours at this point...but I love it! I think I'm in that "enthusiastic" crowd.

[Spd_dmn_05]

Its a 20lb trade off for a bike that stops better then you ever will. Im sold.

The BMW is only 5.5 pounds different, but even if it were 30 lbs, if it stops faster than the non-equiped bike for all but the pros, I say it's worth every penny you spend.

[Scottly]

When I first got my Beemer, I went home and stood ont he rear brake pedal. Brain has a hard time comprehending that rear tire wouldn't lock.

What's really fun to watch is the first time a conservative rider tests the ABS by doing a full-on brake jam. The look on their face is priceless. "Geez, i never knew it would stop THAT quick"

[Spd_dmn_05]

I haven't been that brave yet. Something in my head still says the front end will tuck and I'll go down like a cheerleader after a football game!

[HellFire]

My new bike has it, and I am NOT a conservative rider. Well, maybe at the moment I am, but not overall. Of course, ABS and traction control are two of the big reasons I bought my bike. Traction control could have prevented my high-side at Jennings

I just left your office...I could have swore you had work to do