[Mafia]

Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable creatures on the road. Sadly, despite the abundance of motorcycles on the road and them being the staple of Indian transport, the majority of the fatalities and serious injuries in road accidents happen to motorcyclists. While some of it can be alleviated by the riders' awareness and usage of proper safety gear, there's more that can be done according to this research from Australia.

In Australia, only around 5% of the registered vehicles are motorcycles but motorcyclists make up nearly 25% of all traffic-related hospitalizations. Both of those percentages are substantially higher in our country. So this world-first Australian study talks about one of the most common injuries among motorcyclists which is pelvic damage.

https://www.facebook.com/10763736595...0523009995507/

In India, it can be said that a substantial fraction of serious injuries and deaths occur due to negligence regarding the traffic rules and safety gears but again, there's more to it than that. About the research, folks at the Transurban Road Safety Centre at NeuRA designed and built a specialist crash test sled to mimic different rider sitting positions and travel speeds, before simulating a series of crashes.

The findings are rather interesting in the sense that seating position and the design of motorcycle fuel tanks play an important role in whether the rider suffers from a serious pelvic injury in head-on crashes. A very refined and specific set, but an important one nonetheless.

The researchers were interested in this research since in Australia, one in five hospitalized motorcyclists have a pelvic injury, and 85% of those injuries resulted from direct contact with the motorcycle’s fuel tank. This means that the design of the tank and ergonomics can positively or negatively impact the results of head-on collisions.

Now the findings of the research suggest that fuel tanks that have a steeper gradient or rise steeply from the bike seat make the possibility of an injury to the reader spike up.

Another peculiar finding of the study suggests that motorcycles that have the rider sitting in a more upright position are more likely to cause a more serious injury to the rider. In simple words, the riding stance of cruisers is more likely to injure the rider than the riding stance of sportier motorcycles in which the rider has a forward-leaning position.

The findings are interesting and can pave a path for a safer design of tanks on motorcycles in the future especially the ones on which riders have a more upright riding position. Transurban Road Safety Centre is presenting the findings to safety specialists and manufacturers in order to positively influence the design of motorcycles to make them safer for the riders.

Source

Special thanks to NewsReaper of xbhp.com for the original thread.
All I did is copy-paste and spell check as per Team-bhp standards

[Raghu M]

This is an interesting thread. Thank you. In my honest opinion, the studies on accidents and who will get hurt to what extent could prove quite wrong most of the times. It all depends on speed, area of impact, blind spots, day/night driving. I don't agree to the fact that the stance of a driver will have an impact on the extent of damage, be it driver or someone on the road. I think the study just indicates or shows trend of already occurred accidents. I also don't think the small accidents where a driver, pillion rider or a pedestrian who walks or limps away have not been documented.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Raghu M

I don't agree to the fact that the stance of a driver will have an impact on the extent of damage, be it driver or someone on the road. I think the study just indicates or shows trend of already occurred accidents. .

Yes, the study looks at data of already occurred accidents It is a bit tricky to get data on accidents that have not yet occurred!

Furthermore, if you watch the video you will also see they have done extensive testing to find a correlation between type of fuel tank, stance and injuries.

So it is a bit baffling why you don’t agree. Could you point out what was done incorrectly in this research. Do you have better, more data to proof your point?

Jeroen

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Yes, the study looks at data of already occurred accidents It is a bit tricky to get data on accidents that have not yet occurred!

Furthermore, if you watch the video you will also see they have done extensive testing to find a correlation between type of fuel tank, stance and injuries.

So it is a bit baffling why you don’t agree. Could you point out what was done incorrectly in this research. Do you have better, more data to proof your point?

Jeroen

Agree to your point. I do not have better data to prove. While I agree with the study, all I am trying to say is, it is hard to exactly say what type of stance is linked to the intensity of the damage or accident. Like cars, even bikes do have what it takes to have a better sitting position and what position provides better safety during an impact, I think there is definitely more that meets the eye here. Simply my thoughts.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Raghu M

While I agree with the study, all I am trying to say is, it is hard to exactly say what type of stance is linked to the intensity of the damage or accident.

Studies like this give good insights into what is most likely to a better stance. They might lead to fuel tanks getting different designs etc. I like to sit straight up on my bike, but I had not realised it might carry additional injury risk in case of an accident. Comfortable is not always the same as safe, in case of an accident.

Improving safety, reducing injuries is not about opinion or hunches, it comes from hard core scientific research. That does not make it perfect. But it does tend to reduce the number of injuries in general. Think lap seat belt, then three point belt, collapsible steering column, safety glass, crumple zones, air bags etc.

It doesn’t mean you can’t get hurt badly in a car equipped with all of these. But statistically it prevents most folks who have been in accidents from more serious accidents. That is all.

Jeroen

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Studies like this give good insights into what is most likely to a better stance. They might lead to fuel tanks getting different designs etc.

Or (/and) maybe better riding gear with focus on more vital parts of the body than just focus on knee guards and arm guards. A full-on cricketing gear part(s) comes to my mind immediately

[roy_libran]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Or (/and) maybe better riding gear with focus on more vital parts of the body than just focus on knee guards and arm guards. A full-on cricketing gear part(s) comes to my mind immediately

Absolutely! And I recall Ryan's video where he had referenced higher risk of spinal and pelvic injuries both of which many riders tend to under-rate.

Moreover the apparent lower risk associated with the semi-crouching position of a super-sport does make sense somewhat given that that is also our natural defensive position, so maybe the body overall is better placed to deal with impacts in such positions.

[Abhi5868]

Originally Posted by Raghu M

I don't agree to the fact that the stance of a driver will have an impact on the extent of damage, be it driver or someone on the road. I think the study just indicates or shows trend of already occurred accidents.

Sports tourers provide you with a more tucked in position when compared to cruisers. In case of an impact the rider would be more likely to be thrown across as a curb ball then in a haphazard manner. Greater the surface area, greater the impact area, hence more chances/magnitude of injury.

Also in cases of objects coming at you the relaxed position of cruiser would be a better target than the aggressive position of a sports bike/street naked. This last point has been experienced first hand by me on an R15/classic350.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

Moreover the apparent lower risk associated with the semi-crouching position of a super-sport does make sense somewhat given that that is also our natural defensive position, so maybe the body overall is better placed to deal with impacts in such positions.

It might well be according to this study. This study looks primarily at injuries, not so much safety (or prevention) or accident reduction. I have always wondered about this position. You need to tilt your head all the way back, continuously to have a good view of the road ahead of you.

It is one of the reasons I don’t like racing bicycles. I find the position very uncomfortable and I would be straining my neck muscles to look up ahead all the time. On a bike and a bicycle, I prefer sitting up, more relaxed and therefor, probably a little safer too. But more prone to injuries as we now know! Trade off choice!

Jeroen

[roy_libran]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

It might well be according to this study. This study looks primarily at injuries, not so much safety (or prevention) or accident reduction. I have always wondered about this position. You need to tilt your head all the way back, continuously to have a good view of the road ahead of you.

It is one of the reasons I don’t like racing bicycles. I find the position very uncomfortable and I would be straining my neck muscles to look up ahead all the time.

The discomfort riders face in having to slightly having to crane their necks up to see the road in the super-sport position is also because of how our thoracic vertebrae shape up due to our lifestyle choices.
This can be corrected to an extent with focussed training and practice though. Since the last 5 years I have been riding road bikes and have ridden a Super-Sport with comfort, although my current bike is a Versys for 2-up touring. Before that I used to need regular physiotherapy for cervical spondylosis!

One of the differences I always feel is the psychological vulnerability of the body open position on my Versys as against the closed and crouched position on my ex RC390. Nonetheless the Versys is far more comfortable for long days on the saddle.

As you rightly said, you win some and lose some.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

Absolutely! And I recall Ryan's video where he had referenced higher risk of spinal and pelvic injuries both of which many riders tend to under-rate.

Moreover the apparent lower risk associated with the semi-crouching position of a super-sport does make sense somewhat given that that is also our natural defensive position, so maybe the body overall is better placed to deal with impacts in such positions.

You are closer to the ground. Shorter distance to fall. And are already in the tuck part of the tuck and roll technique everyone advises but very few actually do when crashing.

A cruiser is simply poorly designed anatomically. If you were sitting watching TV its ok.

As long as the couch was not moving on a road at 100+.

Cheers, Doc

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by ebonho

You are closer to the ground. Shorter distance to fall. And are already in the tuck part of the tuck and roll technique everyone advises but very few actually do when crashing.

A cruiser is simply poorly designed anatomically. If you were sitting watching TV its ok.

I totally agree with this here.

I happened to be crouched on the R3 during my crash (at some serious speeds that can't be mentioned here). I was lucky enough to get up from the crash with just half a dozen broken ribs and dislocated shoulder. If it was a cruiser, I am sure the impact would have been worse. I feel the body is more vulnerable at the relaxed seating position that the cruiser offers.

[alisajid]

The study is validating many aspects of design vulnerabilities of a two wheeler. No doubt, there are many more fatal accidents on two wheelers. There are design limitations be it cruiser or a sports bike.

Like helicopters, which cannot do 8g maneuvers or go super sonic, not everything can be done on a motorcycle. We have evolved our four wheeler safety with NCAP and other rating agencies however we cannot have any type of safety rating for a motorcycle. Miniscule, even if these type of rating exists. With the exception of Helmet and safety gear, there is no way to avoid impact of collision. Even with all the safety gear, a rider still feels like a feather in strong wind. Combine this with rider fatigue long distance cruising becomes more of a dare than an adventure.

I agree that people have done intercontinental tours on motorcycles without a single mishap however long distance touring is certainly not to be tried by novices. Long distance cruising must be considered a professional event even within INDIA and license and access should be given after rigorous test. Specially for the trips to Himalayas.

I do not consider myself a professional rider, although I do own a Std 350 bullet gifted to me by my better half. I have got a fair sense of what it feels like in terms of stress busting joy, the grin, the sense of well being associated with a long ride, but seeing fatalities around I honestly feel there should be strong regulation on purchase, licensing and intra state access to motorcycles. This way, only those who know and are really passionate will work for the rewarding experience. Otherwise, there is little scope of safety improvement design wise.

[i@M.S.K]

Interesting thread indeed.
Safety is getting its due attention from manufacturers and the public(at least us enthusiasts).
With GNCAP rating our Indian cars and TATA using it to its advantage the discussion is moving from "kitna deti hai" to "kitni safe hai", as is apparent from a parallel thread.

This brings me to wonder, is there any organization or rating mechanism, globally, to test bikes for safety?

If yes, why don't we see any certified ratings for bikes especially the premium ones?

[46TheDoctor]

Being a superbiker myself, my opinion is as follows:

1. Accidents have so many variables and different set of conditions. But, when we talk about head on impacts with other vehicles and highside/lowside crashes, i find it obvious that the rider sitting on a supersports or sports tourer bike (relatively higher seat height, leaned forward position with legs also in acute angle) is more likely to get dislodged from the motorcycle quickly because he is kind of sitting On the motorcycle and not In the motorcycle like in a cruiser. This will probably keep him away from the resultant mess from the aftermath of an accident.

2. Rider on a supersports and sports tourer bike is seated in such a way that after a head on impact, he will dislodge from the bike and he will probably fly over his wind shield/handle bars and land over/ fly over the bonet of the vehicle if the vehicle in front is a passenger car. If he is wearing proper riding gear, i think this will provide better dissipation of the impact forces than getting stuck in the cruiser bike and absorbing all those impact forces.

Typically supersports and sports tourers have stronger braking abilities and dynamic stability (useful for avoidance manoeuvres) than the cruisers; this paired with a mature rider with good set of skills should definitely be a safer option over the cruisers.