WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After pioneering the concept of antilock brakes (ABS) on motorcycles 23 years ago, BMW Motorrad USA announced today that it will be the first motorcycle manufacturer to offer ABS as standard equipment on its entire range of 2012 model year motorcycles.

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"Plain and simple, being able to stop a motorcycle faster and more predictably helps prevent a rider from becoming a statistic," said Pieter de Waal, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA.  "It's time for all of us in the motorcycle industry to embrace the benefits of ABS.  Extensive testing by safety experts, law enforcement authorities and journalists around the world consistently demonstrates that ABS reduces overall crashes and saves lives."  

"We commend BMW for taking the lead to improve motorcycle safety," said David Strickland, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  "Motorcycle fatalities and injuries have been on an upward trend for the past ten years and ABS and other safety technologies can help reduce these tragedies."

An analysis of 2010 motorcycle crashes released today by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reveals that although motorcyclist fatalities are down for the past two years, they began to slightly increase in the third quarter of 2010. GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha noted, "We are concerned that motorcycle deaths may be on the rise again. ABS and other safety technologies and programs can help continue the progress that has been made in motorcycle safety."  

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than models without ABS.  "I commend BMW for taking the lead in making ABS standard across the board," said Adrian Lund, IIHS president.  "Our research results show ABS on motorcycles saves lives, and riders are taking note, too.  A recent survey found that a majority of riders said they would look for ABS on their next bikes."

According to IIHS, many factors contribute to motorcycle crashes, but improper braking was identified as a major pre-impact factor in a study of motorcycle crashes.  When brakes are applied too gently, the rider risks colliding with the obstacle.  If brakes are applied too hard, the wheels can lock and cause an overturn.  ABS is crash avoidance technology, meaning it helps reduce brake pressure by detecting an impending lockup and then increasing the pressure again when wheel traction is restored.  Brake pressure is evaluated by a sensor multiple times per second, so riders may brake fully in a straight line without fear of locking up.  

Many law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, concluded after testing that ABS reduced the number and severity of accidents and now mandate them on their police motorcycles.  Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for law enforcement use.  More than 80,000 BMW police motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents.  In the United States, more than 225 law enforcement agencies have BMW police motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles.

BMW was the first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce ABS in 1988 and now offers a sixth generation and numerous ABS options across its product line, including a system that can be switched off for off-road or track use.

In addition to ABS, BMW has pioneered other technologies to improve the safety and environmental impact of its motorcycles, including:  

• The world's first "Adaptive Headlight" for increased safety at night (available on the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL)
• A multi-controller on the left-hand grip (available on the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL), which allows riders to operate the motorcycle's systems and adjust its settings without taking their hands off the bars
• Electronic Suspension Adjustment -- ESA II – to allow rebound damping and spring rate to be adjusted at the touch of a button to suit load and road conditions
• Dynamic Traction Control (to adjust engine torque to the level of grip and angle of lean, reducing risk of wheelspin and improving control on treacherous surfaces)
• The world's first motorcycle catalytic converter and closed loop fuel injection to radically reduce emissions

Rider skill training is a key element to motorcycle safety.  The latest Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) Owner Survey found that fewer than 50 percent of riders have taken formal rider education and training such as the Basic RiderCourse offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  BMW offers on- and off-road motorcycle training at the BMW Performance Driving School in Greer, SC.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes.  The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 138 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

SOURCE BMW of North America, LLC