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The motorcycle of the future is so safe riders can cruise without helmet—all of the thrills with none of the danger—according to BMW.
The German automaker unveiled on Tuesday its Motorrad Vision Next 100, a sleek, self-balancing prototype the company released as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.
The zero-emissions bike has self-balancing wheels designed to stand upright even at a complete stop, stability that the company says will allow riders to forgo riding a helmet.
"Its self-balancing system will help protect the rider at any time," said Edgar Heinrich, the design director of BMW's motorcycle division. "Any late reaction from the driver will trigger and the vehicle will balance out."
"In the future, motorcycle riders will be able to enjoy riding without protective gear."
The TRON light cycle is almost here.
(Score: 1) by justinb_76 on Thursday October 13 2016, @02:38PM
in all fairness, myself and most riders I know are convinced that the statistics have been heavily skewed by dumb kids on 'crotch rockets'. I ride what I think is a decent sized bike (1200 Sportster) that has a whopping 48 horsepower - I can't think of any reason why I would need several times more on a bike with 1/2 the weight. But hey, at least when a kid on a bike crashes, they usually only take themselves out unlike someone in a monster SUV...
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Thursday October 13 2016, @03:06PM
I'll admit, my perceptions are a bit skewed by growing up in New Hampshire and seeing all the hardcore bikers that show up at the big annual bike week. Since libertarian-minded New Hampshire considers it your own business if you get yourself killed, there aren't any helmet laws or anything like that, so most of the bikers don't wear them while they're riding up and down the highways.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 2) by CoolHand on Thursday October 13 2016, @07:28PM
I object to your apparent definition of hardcore, sir. I think most of my compatriots in our BMW riding club would consider themselves hardcore riders. Yet, they all ascribe to the notion of ATGATT (all the gear all the time). I imagine the average riding mileage of our club would far outpace any group of "cruiser" (ie Harley) riders..
Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job-Douglas Adams
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 13 2016, @03:09PM
> myself and most riders I know are convinced that the statistics have been heavily skewed by dumb kids on 'crotch rockets'
And 80% of people consider themselves above average drivers. [nih.gov]
The fallacy of personal superiority. Gets 'em every time.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday October 13 2016, @06:21PM
While that's true, it's not much comfort to that family of the guy I saw lying down after a distracted pickup truck shredded the side of a sedan, and one of them sent him flying into a concrete barrier. He had gear, he was not speeding (his bike was too noisy, but that didn't help).
You can be careful and still end up a statistic, because other road users are idiots.
You're just less likely to be a victim of your own stupidity, but you're still more exposed to that of others.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 13 2016, @08:08PM
Survivorship Bias [wikipedia.org]