Although antilock brakes are commonplace on vehicles, they have yet to make the leap to motorcycles. However a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) may pave the way for such technology. The results illustrate that motorcycles featuring ABS are 37% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without.

 

So what's the difference? Typically motorcycles today have separate brake controls for the front and rear wheels. With a system like this in place if the brakes are hit too hard or with an incorrect distribution to the front/rear brakes, the wheel could lock causing the bike to fall. Say the opposite happens and the brakes are tapped too lightly, in the event of a crash the bike may not come to a stop in time, (The most-valuable motorcycle feature: antilock brakes, Jeff Bartlett, Consumerreports.org, http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/04/the-most-valuable-motorcycle-feature-antilock-brakes.html). ABS allow motorcyclists to put full on pressure on the brakes without having to worry about the wheel locking up and falling over.

 

It appears that Europe has already jumped on the ABS bandwagon with a pending rule requiring the brakes on motorcycles by 2016. Here in the U.S. the major brands do include ABS, but typically only on their largest models and make them available on some mid-level bikes. There has yet to be very many at the entry-level, although it's been thought that those riding them would benefit the most. Honda does currently offer them as an option on the CBR250R for around $500, (The most-valuable motorcycle feature: antilock brakes, Jeff Bartlett, Consumerreports.org).

 

Manufacturers predict a potential decrease in cost of ABS on motorcycles if there is enough of a volume increase. Until the option of ABS is available to you, knowing how your brakes operate and being well trained to ride your bike are your best defenses against incorrect brake maneuvering and staying safe on the road.