Welcome to Wackyland: Is BMW Trying to Build an "Uncrashable" Motorcycle?
We've seen bike prototypes with so-called Human-Friendly Transmissions, two wheel drive, and even the self-proclaimed "Motorcycle of the Future," but here's something that blows those out of the water: the rumored "uncrashable" motorcycle from BMW.
According to numerous sources, the bike uses a computer-controlled "flexi-frame" designed to pivot and hinge at several spots for the sake of accident avoidance. While alleged illustrations for patents (including the one seen here; click to enlarge) have been floating around the web, there's no official word yet from BMW about these ambitious plans.
Is an uncrashable bike-- like an unsinkable ship or an indestructible car-- an utter impossibility, or could BMW be up to something truly revolutionary? Those questions will eventually be answered, but in the meantime the idea poses some interesting questions about how bikes may become safer in the future.
Comments
Yes, i can see how this would prevent left hand turners from turning left.
As long as there are cagers out there fiddling with their iPods, GPSs, DVDs, etc., and having everything else on their minds other than driving, I don’t think we can stop them from killing us.
Interesting concept….I think history shows though, every time some builds an ‘idiot proof’ something or other, nature builds a better idiot,
Those are all valid points; we’ve always got the odds stacked against us when we’re on two wheels.
Y’all heard about the possible ban against text messaging while driving in Virginia? I might post a blog about it.
Basem
Hey Basem, just make sure you write about it while driving! :-p
Tony,
Absolutely. It’s where I do ALL my writing– behind the wheel!
;-)
Basem
Bikes may be able to have better safety features, but as long as we choose to fly down the road amoungst cars, trucks and buses we will be in some danger. As long as there’s ice, gravel, wet leaves or other little surprises around the corner we will be at risk. When we come off there are all the other stationary things to hit like trees, lamp posts, and curbs, etc. I don’t believe an “Uncrashable Bike” is possible.