BOSCH; TEACHING US HOW TO SEE & FEEL
B
osch has a clear vision: no more fatalities
for motorcyclists in road traffic. That is why
the company has developed a new safety
package for motorcycles, comprising adap-
tive cruise control, forward collision warn-
ing, and blind-spot detection. This package
is built on technologies that also enable automated driving
in cars. The motorcycle manufacturers KTM and Ducati
will include the new rider assistance systems in produc-
tion models as soon as 2020. For Bosch, this is the next
step along the path toward accident-free riding – one that
doesn’t reduce enjoyment and doesn’t take away motorcy-
clists’ responsibility.
The German company is also toying with technologies
that prevent a motorcycle from 'falling' over, more to the
point sliding.
The technology, similar to that utilised in spacecraft,
will see pressurised air vented from the side of the bike,
toward the side where the bike is sliding.
Early testing of the technology demonstrates the effec-
tiveness of the system as it pushes the bike downwards
toward the road, increasing grip. It's a system that does
merit further investigation.
BUELL IS BACK
Once 'responsible' for the 'sportsbike' arm of Harley Da-
vidson, Erik Buell is back and this time with an electric
bike.
Buell once built Harley powered sportsbikes (2003-2009)
before moving on to his own Erik Buell Racing (2009-2017)
now it's a completely different path the renowned inno-
vator has taken by teaming with Vanguard Motorcycles
to build a number of electric bikes. Most aren't anything
more than commuter bikes however, it is an interesting,
developing story.
THE CRF WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR?
Increased power, reduced weight and premium han-
dling, combined produce "absolute freedom". That's the
claim made by Honda Motorcycles of the 2019 model CR-
F450L. They say it's a bike we've all been waiting for.
A high performance, street legal enduro bike, the CRF
for 2019 is promised to be not only a perfect trail bike but
also a bike that is perfect for the long distance traveller; it
can go 32,000km between major services.
Features like a titanium fuel tank and ion battery the
CRF450L is lightweight, very lightweight at just 131 kilo-
grams. The new bike is set for release in the southern
Spring (northern Autumn) of 2018.
BMW GS SAFARI
As we go to press the BMW Motorrad International GS
Trophy has been run for 2018. The competition was very
close with all teams excelling in the trying condition in
Mongolia. Traverse will have a full report in issue 07 (Au-
gust 14).
FINKE DESERT RACE
By the time this issue is on your screens, in your hands,
the 2018 Finke Desert Race held in central Australia as
been run and won by fan favourite, and Dakar winner,
Toby Price. We'll have a review of the event in the next
issue of Traverse.
TRACKS4LIFE
If you're in south-east Australia over the weekend of
June16-17 head to the Tracks4Life Eskdale Winter Camp.
Share a beer, talk adventure, talk men's health. For more
details see www.tracks4life.net
TRAVERSE 8