Oh Great! More good news...

[Slim]

Survive a Fatal Accident?

This is actually very interesting reading & is relatively short. Certainly something to think about if you're about to crash.

[jrandom]

think of the pizza courier's active tyres in Snow Crash as the ultimate objective

Personally, I would prefer a fairing-mounted Reason unit with helmet HUD controls.

[vifferman]

There's only so much manufacturers can do - but ABS appearing on standard bikes and cruisers rather than just sport-tourers would be good

Cetainly, if it wasn't too expensive. Apparently the system fitted to VFR800s is excellent (as is the new iteration of DCBS), but when I last asked, they said the ABS model wouldn't be available here. I guess the market is too small?

Likewise traction control,

Easy to link to the braking system, with ABS.

smarter steering dampers (electronicly regulated ones that vary according to speed are on some Hondas, I believe)

Yeah, on the new CBR1000. Apparently works very well for all except the expert and those with big egos.

Better monitoring of critical components wouldn't hurt, either.

A bit over the top, though. Add too many 'ancillary' components, and the bike starts to turn into a two-wheeled car, and needs outriggers.

Bluetooth units on the ECU that can allow helmets to pick up data and run a HUD wouldn't be a bad thing, either - it would be nice to be able to see my speedo without having to glance down.

Bluetooth helmets are already a literal reality. There are bluetooth-equipped helmets with speakers/mike, to connect to other bluetooth devices such as cellphones, MP3 players, etc.

If I wanted real sci-fi territory, a rear camera that can feed a HUD display for my rear view

Already available and being marketed.

Better headlights?

The latest ones are already very good indeed.

those airbag jackets Wellington Motorcycles are stocking look really interesting - it would be nice if they had a better deployment trigger than a string to the bike.

The first ones marketed (not the ones selling here) had a sensor on the bike linked to the actuator on the jacket. If you came off the bike while it was moving, the jacket inflated.

[Riff Raff]

It seems to me that no matter what we do, nothing will stop those idiots in cars trying to take us out. I wonder how hard it would be for bike manufacturers to produce bikes with their own force field, so when cars decide to overtake you in your lane (because we don't need all that space on the road, do we?), on a blind bend with a 1000foot drop over the edge etc, the force field can gently nudge them further away from you... like over a cliff or something!
When I take over the world, all other vehicles will be banned from being on the road when I'm out on my bike ... I just hope that force field will save me when I take a corner too fast!!! :confused2

[James Deuce]

Traction control for bikes is really complicated, because the circumference of your wheel decreases as you roll off centre. If you listen you can hear the revs rise and fall as you bank then straighten up. Also in some cases a spinning rear tyre may be a saviour, and more grip could be a highside. The grip variables introduced by chassis flex as you lean and the effectiveness of suspension decreases would confuse a car oriented traction control as well. Affordable traction control is a way off IMHO.

[vifferman]

It seems to me that no matter what we do, nothing will stop those idiots in cars trying to take us out. I wonder how hard it would be for bike manufacturers to produce bikes with their own force field....

My idea is that everyone should serve an apprenticeship on a bike before graduating to larger vehicles. The idiots who couldn't handle this would be removed from the gene pool, and the survivors would have a better appreciation for bikes and be more courteous and careful.
Hopefully.

[rodgerd]

My idea is that everyone should serve an apprenticeship on a bike before graduating to larger vehicles. The idiots who couldn't handle this would be removed from the gene pool, and the survivors would have a better appreciation for bikes and be more courteous and careful.

Road riding hasn't given me a better appreciation for bikes, just a better appreciation full stop. I've always been good at checking blind spots and the like, but it's taken being on a bike to properly appreciate how narrow some Wellington streets (eg Devon Street) really are.

Plus it's been good for my temprament. You can't really afford to get aggro on a bike, and cultivating a calmer demeanor while riding has helped my driving.

[Bonez]

I just hope that force field will save me when I take a corner too fast!!! :confused2

Nope. Will never happen. Force fields are idiot proof

[Jackrat]

ABS,Traction control,speed sensitive steering dampers,ect,ect.
All very good as long as somebody still makes bikes for us bikers,if not you can shove the lot.Just more unneeded crap to keep the bike in the shop and guarante most bikers will never work on their own machines.

Maybe as well just buy another car.

[James Deuce]

ABS,Traction control,speed sensitive steering dampers,ect,ect.
All very good as long as somebody still makes bikes for us bikers,if not you can shove the lot.Just more unneeded crap to keep the bike in the shop and guarante most bikers will never work on their own machines.

Maybe as well just buy another car.

You also forgot to add that the more complicated it is the more likely it is to go worng. And cost you at least as much a single debt repayment for a badly managed large council.

[Skyryder]

At the risk of sounding indifferent there is not realy a lot that can be done to make the motor cycle more safe other than better suspension, brakes, wing mirrows etc. Clothing and protective ware are the best option in the event of a bin. When it comes to a serious crash avoidence and prevention are realy where it is at. To take this line to its ultimate if you do not want to crash on a bike stop riding. That is the safest way, but as we all know not much fun.


Skyryder

[Bonez]

ABS,Traction control,speed sensitive steering dampers,ect,ect.
All very good as long as somebody still makes bikes for us bikers,if not you can shove the lot.Just more unneeded crap to keep the bike in the shop and guarante most bikers will never work on their own machines.

Plenty of "depreciated" cikles to choose from thank goodness hah?

[Midnight 82]

Well like Jim2 says you might as well by a car. My ole girl is a handful compared to a new bike but I love it. The power well balanced what more do you wont.

[badlieutenant]

The first ones marketed (not the ones selling here) had a sensor on the bike linked to the actuator on the jacket. If you came off the bike while it was moving, the jacket inflated.

was thinking of getting one of those, with the string. But could just see the michelin man funnies people would pull, literaly, on you.