Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 09:05:24 +0100 From: danny <dannynopsamia-espreZZo.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9.5 Bike Rack
Nutmegger wrote: -snip- > > > >Saab in front executed emergency stop (with benefit of ABS) and with nearly > >invisible light clusters. Bike couldn't stop and rode/skidded into rear of Saab. > > Whoa, I had always thought (maybe wrong) that bikes stop a lot quicker than > cars. Most bikes don't have ABS so it's a bit of a mission when breaking hard to judge when the wheels might lock up. Obviously helps if braking in a straight line (and if your are not braking in a straight line, most modern bikes have semi floating brakes that pull the bike upright under hard braking). You have to remember that although bikes brakes can be very good, they're not really a match for 4 big tyres (more roadholding) and ABS. > > > >Normally the rider might have had a chance, but got impaled on bits of bike > >(ie:handle bars, etc) sticking out of rear of Saab (rather than smooth rear of > >unadorned Saab) > > That is really awful, now I feel bad I asked. Please don't feel bad at all. Anyone other than relatives/close friends wouldn't see it as any more than a local news item. If only one person reads about it and it stops them from using similar equipment on their car it's worth it. The trouble with modern cars and their drivers is that there is a selfish streak - "I'm safe - I have SIPS/name your safety feature - I'll be OK in an accident" rather than thinking of the consequences to other road users. This has been proven with regard to Volvo drivers. A motorcyclist is more likely to be hit by a Volvo than any other car on the road, purely due to a slight lack of attention by Volvo drivers when pulling out of side junctions in their SIPS equipped cars. They feel that the car will protect them in an accident, and are (subconsciously) not as vigilent as a result. The same is true of ABS. As more cars get it, drivers rely more on the feature, not a good idea if the car behind doesn't have it. -- Regards, Danny http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site) swap Z for above characters in email address to reply
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