On the front cover: When Hogs Fly: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rides the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special 131R of MotoAmerica King of the Baggers title winner Kyle Wyman at India Motorsports Ranch. Photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding and technology information.

World of road racing and motorcycle technology The magazine is available in print and digital format. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Tune in HERE to read the March 2022 issue of World of road racing and motorcycle technology with your online subscription.

In this problem:

CHARACTERISTICS

Interior Info: 2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST and Street Glide ST; Honda CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X; Indian scout thief; KTM 890 Duke R, and more…

Historical Racing Motorcycle Illustrations: 1992 ROC Yamaha 500cc Grand Prix V-4 Two Stroke

Race Bike Test: MotoAmerica Championship Winner Kyle Wyman’s Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special 131R Bagger

MotoGP analysis: how Kalex took control of the Moto2 world championship

MotoGP analysis: Remy Gardner, second generation world champion

Publisher’s Scrapbook: The Great Adventure of Garrett Gerloff

Collections: Karl Lehmann Foundation and Schoenewald Collection

PRO RACE

Army of Darkness Endurance 2021 Part 2: Race Confirmation Bias

COLUMNS

Letters to the editor: ER visit; Race to Vacaville; remember a friend

10 years ago, March 2012: Riding the Performance Kawasaki ZX-10R AMA Superbike Attack; Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Triumph Speed ​​Triple tested; Mat Oxley interviews five-time world champion Giacomo Agostini

Facts and Figures: Garrett Gerloff’s Racing Career

The Children’s Page: Carter Dreher

The Crash page: Losing the front at Barber

New products: electric bicycles, helmet spoiler; Engine oil

Race, school and track day calendar: where and when to ride

ASRA/CCS bulletin

High performance parts and services

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: 2022 Brings New Sponsors, New Riders For MotoAmerica Season

The following track days, riding schools and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada in March 2022.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools and races are published under the Events Calendar tab on the homepage of this website, or you can go directly to the Events Calendar for March 2022 by clicking HERE .

Once on the Events Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you wish to attend, you will find a link to the hosting organization’s website and/or email address, a link to the hosting venue’s website, the physical address of the host location, a Google map for the host location, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar app.

To have your motorcycle racing or horse riding event added to the event calendar on this website and published in the print edition of World of road racing and motorcycle technology magazine, submit your schedule and contact details through the contact page of this website or by clicking HERE.

Calendar listings are updated often.

COVID-19 restrictions are still in effect in parts of North America and may change without notice. So before you go on a long trip to an event, check with the organizer to make sure the event is still running and what health and safety protocols require.

3/3-4 Yamaha Champions Riding School, India Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

3/4 TrackDaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/4-5 American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), City of Industry, California

3/5 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Learn to ride off-road)

3/5 Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA

ASMA Series 3/5-6, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, New Mexico

3/5-6 Southern Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/5-6 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

3/6 Florida Trackdays, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

3/6 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

3/6 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Off-Road Challenge Course)

3/6 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/6-7 American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), City of Industry, California

3/7 Fun Track Dayz, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/7 Z² Track Days, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

3/8-9 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

3/10 American Flat Track (AFT) Series/Volusia Half-Mile I, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL

3/10-12 MotoAmerica/Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

3/11 American Flat Track (AFT) Series/Volusia Half-Mile II, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL

3/11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (private training day)

3/12 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

3/12 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/12-13 California Superbike School (Two Day Camp), Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

3/12-13 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

3/12-13 HART Rider Training/Motorcycle Lapping Days, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

3/12-13 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/12-13 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale’s, GA

3/12-13 Racers Edge Private Coaching Day, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/12-13 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Babes In The Dirt Training Camp)

3/12-13 SoCal Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/12-14 Jennings GP Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/13 DRRO Track Days and Road Race School, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

3/13 Superbike-Coach Corp. (schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

3/17-18 California Superbike School (Two Day Camp), Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA**

3/18 2 Wheels Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/18 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/18-20 AHRMA (Vintage), Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/18-20 Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club Track Days & School, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA

3/19 American Flat Track (AFT)/Texas Half-Mile, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

3/19 South Florida MiniGP (Minis) Driver Development Days, Bushnell Motorsports Park, Bushnell, FL

3/19-20 AFM Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/19-20 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/19-20 Florida Trackdays, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

3/19-20 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

3/19-20 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

3/19-20 South Florida MiniGP (Minis), Bushnell Motorsports Park, Bushnell, FL

3/19-20 Texas Mini Grand Prix (Minis), Gulf Coast Kartway, Katy, TX

3/19-20 (Pirelli) WERA National Challenge co-sanctioned by AMA/WERA Sportsman Series Mid-Central/Southeast, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale’s, GA

3/19-20 Track Day Winner Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/19-20 Track Day Winner Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

3/20 (Lucas Oil) WERA West Sportsman Series, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA

3/20 XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

3/20-21 SoCal Supermotard School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/21-22 California Superbike School, (Code RACE Program) Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/21-22 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/23-24 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/23-24 Racers Edge Track Days and Private Coaching Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/25 Apex Assassins Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/26 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

3/26 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/26 Streetmasters Motorcycle Workshops (Schools), Willow Springs International Raceway (Horsethief Mile), Rosamond, CA

3/26-27 [email protected] Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

3/26-27 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

3/26-27 Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/26-27 TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

3/26-28 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

3/27 Superbike-Coach Corp. (schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

3/28 3:16 Trackdays/America Superbike Camp, MotorSports Ranch, Watercress, TX

3/28 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

The Roadracing World 2022 Reader Survey Part 3 is brought to you by Dunlop.

The winner of this survey will win a set of Dunlop Q3+ motorcycle tires in the sizes of their choice.

The Q3+ was engineered at Dunlop’s headquarters in Buffalo, NY, extensively tested at Dunlop’s proving grounds in Huntsville as well as multiple racetracks across the United States, and is made at the Buffalo plant on the same high-tech production equipment as Dunlop’s racing tires. Dunlop’s Carbon Fiber Technology (CFT) used in the Q3+ uses carbon fiber reinforcement in the sidewalls of the tire for exceptional cornering performance and feel. The aggressive Q3+ tread pattern uses minimal, long tread grooves to improve wet weather performance. The Intuitive Response Profile (IRP) technology of the Q3+ rear tire allows greater latitude in the choice of trajectory in turns, as well as surprisingly linear steering. The Q3+ rear tire’s MT Multi-Tread technology uses a long-life silica-infused compound in the center of the tread for longer tread life, and special lateral grip compounds on the shoulders left and right for exceptional grip. The Q3+ offers exceptional grip, stability, steering feel and durability on the street and on the track.

Dunlop’s Q3+ tires are available in a wide range of sizes from authorized dealers and retailers with prices starting at $197.25 for front tires and $243.96 for rear tires.

The winner of the award for Road racing world The 2022 Reader Survey Part 3 will be randomly selected at 12:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, February 27.

To participate in this survey, CLICK HERE.

Survey results are used to improve content for readers and marketing for our advertisers. Name and address required for the draw. Participants will automatically receive a three-issue free trial subscription for Road racing world review without obligation. No mailing lists or confidential individual information is shared with third parties. Road racing world the privacy policy can be viewed here. To register to receive future short payments Road racing world reader surveys and other promotional emails from Road racing worldCLICK HERE.

For more information on how your product can be a presenting sponsor for an upcoming part of the Road racing world Readership Survey 2022, email Anne Roberts, [email protected].

About Roadracing World

Established in 1990, World of road racing and motorcycle technology magazine is THE definitive source for information on motorcycle racing, riding and technology.

World of road racing and motorcycle technology The magazine is available in print and digital format. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Sydney-based motorcycle technology The Forcite company raised nearly $6 million in its latest funding round, money that will be used to fuel global expansion.

Founded in 2013, the company has delivered nearly 1,400 smart headphones across Australia and maintains a waiting list of over 13,000. About half of this demand is domestic, the rest abroad, with about 21% coming from the United States. The Forcite Mark One helmet was released in mass-producible form in 2020.

In their latest funding round, led by early commercialization fund Uniseed, Forcite raised $4.6 million in exchange for preferred stock. Following this, the company opened its shares to retail investors using the equity crowdfunding website equitise. Closing on February 15, the round has already raised over $965,000 from over 350 customers, 6% of which will be donated to Equitise.

Forcite managing director Alfred Boyadgis says the idea behind the company came after he suffered a motorcycle accident, in which the integrity of his helmet was breached by a bolted camera mount.

As such, the Mark One helmet features an integrated camera and speakers, as well as an exclusive LED notification system that alerts the rider to oncoming road hazards. This connects to a backend system via your phone’s 4G network which calculates appropriate situations for the driver to be alerted. The product also comes with a control panel that can be mounted on the motorcycle.

Boyadgis said much of the capital raised will go towards expanding the company’s production capacity.

“There is a new helmet model coming out, the MK1S. So that capital will primarily go into inventory to help us meet the demand here in Australia and New Zealand. After that, we will launch online in Europe and the United States, but it will be more towards the end of the year,” Mr Boyadgis said.

“At the end of 2023, we will launch the Mark Two. The Mark Two product isn’t just a helmet, it has on-bike functionality that I can’t really talk about, but will include some really cool features around the camera that could include computer vision elements.

“Right now we are [a team of] about 20 people, towards the end of the year it will be around 80 to 100 people. We have around 100-200 square meters in Sydney, but at the end of the year we will be moving to a much larger facility of around 700 square metres.

The company’s excess demand has been driven in part by its history of working closely with the motorcycling community to tailor its technology to suit them.

Although consultation during the development of Forcite products began with their local biker community, it soon went live. At its peak, the Forcite Test-Pilots Facebook group grew to 14,000 members.

“Getting out and into the community, meeting people, going biking and just listening to what people want, that was really 80% of the work that led to the actual product. The design of the product itself was self-explanatory after talking to all these people about exactly what they wanted,” Boyadgis said.

In 2018, Boyadgis and co-founder Julian Chow were among the first cohort to participate in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Founders 10X Accelerator Program.

Following this, they were able to present at Uniseed, which helps produce commercial spin-offs from research at UNSW and CSIRO as well as the University of Sydney, Queensland and Melbourne.

In total, Forcite has raised over $8 million through government grants, venture capital, and other stakeholder funding. It has received advanced manufacturing grants, support from the New South Wales government and export market development grants for its e-commerce business.

According to Boyadgis, the global motorcycle helmet industry is worth an estimated $2.7 billion and growing.

Natasha Rawlings, investment manager at Uniseed, said Forcite was well positioned to capitalize on this growing market.

“Forcite has positioned itself as a market leader in the motorcycle technology industry with a loyal and rapidly growing customer base. We strongly believe in Forcite’s strategy of providing category-defining products and a business-centric approach. on the community,” Ms Rawlings said.

“They think way beyond the motorcycle helmet category and have the support of the automotive industry to go there.”

Do you know more? Contact James Riley by email.

The Roadracing World 2022 Reader Survey Part 2 is brought to you by DID and Woodcraft.

The winner of this survey will win a DID VR46 Rossi X-Ring sealed drive chain, valued at $146.50-$196.33 depending on application, and a set of Woodcraft frame sliders with new inserts optional Cerakote tints, which start at $89.99.

DID 520/525 VR46 Rossi X-ring pattern sealed chains come with gold inner plates and silver outer plates with unique VR46 engravings, a Rossi yellow colored master link and a commemorative DID/VR46 sticker sheet. The 520VR46 (MSRP $146.50) fits most motorcycles up to 800cc while the 525VR46 (MSRP $196.33) fits most 1000cc motorcycles. Chains are available for purchase from Dennis Kirk (DID Silver/Gold 520 VR46 Chain – 520VR46SG120ZB Cruiser Motorcycle – Dennis Kirk) and MotoSport (DID 520 VR46 X-Ring Chain | MotoSport) For more information contact Daido Corporation of America, Dept. RW, 1031 Fred White Blvd., Portland, TN 37148, (615) 323-4020.

Wooden frame sliders with optional NEW Cerakote color inserts Give your bike a custom look with Woodcraft’s race-level protection standard. These sliders offer the energy absorption of a plastic puck with the durable look of Cerakote colored aluminum. Our patented perpendicular mounting bolt design is much less susceptible to crash damage than traditional center mounting sliders. This makes washer replacement easier and creates more sliding surface for greater durability. Available in four colors: red, blue, gold and green. Frame slider kits with Cerakote inserts start at $89.99. For more information, contact Woodcraft Technologies, Dept. RW, 105 Baldwinville Rd., Winchendon, MA 01475, (978)-297-2977. [email protected]www.woodcraft-cfm.com.

The winner of the award for Road racing world The 2022 Reader Survey Part 2 will be randomly selected at 12:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, February 20.

To participate in this survey, CLICK HERE.

Survey results are used to improve content for readers and marketing for our advertisers. Name and address required for the draw. Participants will automatically receive a three-issue free trial subscription for Road racing world review without obligation. No mailing lists or confidential individual information is shared with third parties. Road racing world the privacy policy can be viewed here. To register to receive future short payments Road racing world reader surveys and other promotional emails from Road racing worldCLICK HERE.

For more information on how your product can be a presenting sponsor for an upcoming part of the Road racing world Readership Survey 2022, email Anne Roberts, [email protected].

About Roadracing World

Established in 1990, World of road racing and motorcycle technology magazine is THE definitive source for information on motorcycle racing, riding and technology.

World of road racing and motorcycle technology The magazine is available in print and digital format. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

On the front cover: Josh Herrin drives through the infield at Daytona International Speedway during an AHRMA event in January, driving the 955cc Ducati Panigale V2, he will race against 600cc to 750cc four-cylinder and 675 three-cylinder motorcycles 798cc in the new look, March 2022 Daytona 200. Herrin won the Daytona 200 on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Photo by etechphoto.com.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding and technology information.

World of road racing and motorcycle technology The magazine is available in print and digital format. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the February issue of World of road racing and motorcycle technology with your online subscription.

In this problem:

CHARACTERISTICS

Inside Info: Damon Electric Hyperbike, Ducati V4 S, IPO LiveWire, New-Look Daytona 200

Historic racing bike illustrations: 1973 Seeley Suzuki TR500

Product Review: Stay Frosty Race-Ready Coolant

Presentation: Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak 2022

Quick Look: 2022 KTM 890 Duke is a Bigger Scapel

MotoGP analysis: The last technical battle of MotoGP: Stop, Turn, Go!

MotoGP analysis: Danilo Petrucci: from the Grand Prix to the Dakar Rally

Hanging with: MotoAmerica Racer David “Aussie Dave” Anthony

PRO RACE

Army of Darkness Endurance 2021 Part 1: “Never Swim Against the Tide”

COLUMNS

Letters to the Editor: A look back at the early days of RW

10 years ago, February 2012: On the cover, Chris Ulrich drives the 2012 CBR1000RR at Infineon Raceway (now Sonoma Raceway)

Facts and Figures: Danilo Petrucci’s Road Racing Career

The Children’s Page: Reese Frankenfield

The Crash Page: Danilo Petrucci and Alex Marquez plow the gravel in Germany, and Pol Espargaro flies in France

New products: Yamaha generators, Michelin Road 6 tires

Race, school and track day calendar: where and when to ride

ASRA/CCS bulletin

High performance parts and services

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Test Bikes of 2021 Review

Australian smart helmet maker Forcite has attracted $6 million from investors and crowdfunding as it prepares to launch the Forcite MK1S, an updated version of its first smart helmet, in the coming months.

There is still a little time to invest in this growing small business – more information.

Forcite plans to use this investment to develop more smart bike technologies, electric motorcycles and bring the world’s first legal smart helmet to EU and US markets.

Here is the full press release

Forcite hits full throttle with $6M Series A raise and equity crowdfunding

Motorcycle tech leader excites investors with smart helmet and intense consumer demand for new Forcite MK1S

Sydney, Australia February 10 Sydney-based motorcycle tech start-up Forcite is set to raise a total of A$6 million. Forcite has achieved this through a Series A funding round led by Uniseed through new and existing shareholders to fuel the development of the next generation of Forcite motorcycle technology and accelerate global expansion. This raised $4.6 million through a Series A preferred stock offering.

To complement Series A, Forcite has opened an Equity crowdfunding campaign through Equitise to offer customers, subscribers and early adopters an opportunity to invest. Currently, $920,000 has been raised through the Equitise campaign, in addition to Series A and with one week until its close on February 15.

Founded in 2013 following a motorcycle accident involving founder and CEO, Alfred Boyadgis, the company aims to deliver a safer and more dynamic riding experience with the Forcite MK1 smart motorcycle helmet. The world’s first ECE 22.05 certified smart helmet, the MK1 quickly sold out whenever build slots became available. Today, 1,380 riders are experiencing the Forcite MK1 on the road and over 14,000 potential customers have expressed interest in Australia, USA and Europe. The new and improved MK1S will be available soon, with several upgrades based on feedback from existing users. The motorcycle technology company also has a number of joint venture collaborations with global motorcycle manufacturers to integrate smart technologies into bikes.

Co-founder and CEO Alfred Boyadgis said: “Thanks to feedback from riders across Australia, Forcite has created a more dynamic, exciting and safe riding experience through our smart helmet technology. Our expert team of designers, developers and engineers are also motorcycle enthusiasts who use Forcite technology daily so they can constantly test, learn and make iterative improvements after every ride. They do have their fingers on the pulse. With this venture capital and crowdfunding investment, we are expanding globally and building our R&D pipeline for the next generation of Forcite motorcycle helmets and bike technologies.

Natasha Rawlings Investment Manager at Uniseed said, “Forcite has positioned itself as a market leader in the motorcycle technology industry with a loyal and rapidly growing customer base. We strongly believe in Forcite’s strategy of providing category-defining products and a community-centric business approach. They think way beyond the motorcycle helmet category and have the support of the automotive industry to go there.

Forcite’s community outreach is part of the company’s DNA, from crowdsourced design improvements on Forcite products and software to sponsorship of popular motorcycle races. This meant a natural fit when it came to using equity crowdfunding. The offer was a way to facilitate several years of demand for an investment opportunity from followers and early adopters of Forcite.

Co-Founder and CEO, Alfred Boyadgis, said: “The success of Forcite is due to the involvement of the motorcycling community who have been with us every step of the way, providing invaluable feedback during product development. Our crowdfunding is another way to foster this partnership with runners. »

With a further injection of capital, Forcite is now poised to capitalize on the boom in the motorcycle and outdoor and leisure equipment sector driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns.

The motorcycle industry in Australia and around the world is growing steadily year on year, with the global market for equipment and accessories at $35 billion and a CAGR of 7.2%. Boyadgis says Forcite currently has a competitive edge in this area of ​​wearable technology.

The Forcite team has grown rapidly over the past year to 18 full-time employees, 60% of whom are riders.

The arrival of self-driving cars has created a lot of uncertainty about the future of motorcycling. AI-driven automobiles are intelligent, logical machines with cutting-edge technology and innovative safety systems. Motorcycles are rather antiquated in comparison.

Motorcycles can be deadly, out of control and thrilling to ride. However, how will they fit into our AI-driven future? Will we be forced to stop riding forever? Or will motorcycles and self-driving cars be able to coexist on the road?

Understanding sensors

There are several different schools of thought on the matter, and it’s too early to tell who is right or wrong. For now, all we can do is guess.

A study published in 2019 by the European Automobile Association (ACEM) has fueled much speculation with its answer to the following question: “How will automated cars affect the safety of motorcyclists?”

Despite its name, this post isn’t particularly heavy reading. We recommend reading it because it’s a surprisingly light read. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s the short version. It questions the capabilities of sensors and their ability to detect motorcycles and other vulnerable road users. Here are some key quotes:

“The systems work quite well in certain situations, such as detecting larger objects with a defined or standardized shape, such as cars, trucks or traffic signs. However, detecting smaller dynamic objects presents challenges for sensors and algorithms, just as it presents challenges for human perception. Therefore, automated systems should significantly improve the detection rate of motorcycles.

“Due to their many different shapes and dynamics of vehicles compared to cars, as well as their small surface area, motorcycles present a huge challenge for developers..”

The document was based on research carried out in the Netherlands by the Federation of European Motorcycle Associations, the Royal Dutch Association of Motorcyclists and the Motorcycle Action Group. The study found that self-driving vehicle sensors are unable to cope with motorcycles.

Many simply do not understand the technology

The majority of criticism leveled at self-driving vehicles and their sensory shortcomings stem from a lack of understanding of how the technology works. On-board cameras are not only used to record events.

They are trained to search for data, and the more data they have at their disposal, the better. AI gets smarter as more data is collected. With more contributors contributing data, these self-driving cars will learn to search for motorcycles like humans never could in the future.

Motorcycle sensors have already started hitting the shelves

Fast forward to modern times and only a year has passed since the first radar-equipped bikes started hitting the shelves, but new companies are popping up every day.

Radar is fast becoming a must-have gadget for motorcyclists, and with new figures like Israel’s Vayyar entering the competition, the stage is now set for a technological struggle that will drive rapid progress.

Bosch was the first to provide front and rear radars on production motorcycles. Ducati, BMW, KTM and Kawasaki have all embraced the technology. However, we are already seeing more companies getting involved.

Rear-facing radars will be fitted to Triumph’s new Tiger 1200 GT Explorer and Rally Explorer. Piaggio is expected to unveil its first bikes equipped with Vayyar radars.

Vayyar radar system

Vayyar’s system is different from Bosch’s previous offering. The technology has been dubbed “4D” by the company and uses many more antennas than normal radar, generating a high-resolution 3D point cloud image of the world around it and using Doppler analysis to calculate speeds Objects.

The greater number of antennas in Vayyar radars results in a field of view of 170 degrees both horizontally and vertically, which is larger than the radar cone of conventional systems. On a bike, the wide field of view and vertical coverage allows the sensor to track an item as you turn.

According to the manufacturer, Vayyar’s system has a greater range than the market-leading Bosch radar (160 m versus 300 m). This is important because motorcycles cannot use automated emergency braking systems like those found in radar-assisted automobiles.

The ability to see hazards at a greater distance and provide earlier automated warnings or assistance due to the fact that a motorcycle brake assist cannot be powerful. This is because hard braking can throw off the rider. Being able to identify potential hazards from a greater distance and offer automatic alerts or help sooner is a big advantage.

According to Vayyar, the system, which includes both front and rear radars, can provide blind spot warning, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control (ACC), forward and rear collision warning and brake assist in a fraction of the time. cost of current radars (for comparison, the Bosch front radar option on BMW’s R1250RT costs £500).

The implementation of radar systems in bicycles and what it means

• Long distance vision: up to 300 meters – necessary for braking assistance or early warning systems to avoid causing fear reactions in drivers.
• Radar coverage of approximately 170 degrees, both horizontally and vertically, means two units (one forward, one aft) provide almost 360 degree protection.
• Bikes can use a number of WiFi-like antennas and MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) technologies to track multiple targets, as well as Doppler analysis to determine their speed and direction of travel
• Small but inexpensive Safety equipment is meaningless if it only fits the most expensive and inaccessible bikes. Even on scooters, Vayyar says their speed cameras are inexpensive and small enough to be installed unnoticed and economical, although speed cameras are no good if left unused.

Will speed cameras mean the end of the motorcycle?

Until the technology matures further, the deployment of autonomous drive-ready streets will be gradual and limited to small areas. College campuses, business parks, gated communities, and designated enclosed spaces are great testing grounds for technologies like this, as well as businesses. The deployment will be gradual; as long as it develops, motorcycles will be incorporated rather than excluded.

As long as motorcycles remain a lucrative market for manufacturers, and as long as there are still many individuals who want to ride them on public roads, governments will need to regulate accordingly, and manufacturers will need to develop new technologies.

What does autonomous technology mean for motorcycles?

It’s too early to tell which way the wind is blowing and how autonomous vehicles will truly disrupt the motorcycle industry right now. Though it’s conceivable that motorcycles will be phased out as more fuel-efficient, electric, and AI-controlled transportation becomes popular. It’s likely that motorcycles will be reworked to become an essential part of today’s micro-mobility puzzle. Basically, evolving with self-driving cars rather than being replaced by them. However, this will again be entirely market dependent.

Automotive trends follow the market and will continue to develop and adapt to customer demands. Despite the needs, wants and goals of government or technology companies, this change will not happen overnight. The transformation from internal combustion engines to electric motors has taken a century, but it is not yet complete. The transition from manual vehicles to autonomous vehicles can take even longer.

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