IIHS study: Motorcycles with antilock brakes are much safer

Consumer Reports News: April 05, 2010 02:23 PM

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Motorcycles & Scooters

Motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than models without ABS, according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Backing up the study is another analysis by the affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute, which found that ABS-equipped motorcycles have had 22 percent fewer damage claims than those without ABS and 30 percent lower injury claims. Both studies looked at crashes between 2003 and 2008. (Also read: "How to reduce the risk of getting hurt on a motorcycle.")

While the studies point to the safety benefits of ABS for motorcycles, the feature remains available primarily only on larger, more expensive bikes and can add $1,000 or more to the purchase price. But it is becoming more widely available, and the IIHS lists some 60 models that offer ABS as either standard or optional equipment. An IIHS survey concluded that more than half of motorcycle owners plan to get ABS on their next bike.

We would like to see ABS offered on more motorcycles and become more affordable. In particular, there is the need for this important safety feature on smaller, entry-level motorcycles that are likely to be chosen by newer, inexperienced riders.

2010 Motorcycle models equipped with ABS

MAKE NAME	MODEL NAME	ABS
Aprilia	Mana 850	Optional
BMW	F650GS	Optional
BMW	F800GS	Optional
BMW	F800S	Optional
BMW	F800ST	Optional
BMW	G650GS	Standard
BMW	G650x Challenge	Optional
BMW	G650x Country	Optional
BMW	G650x Moto	Optional
BMW	HP2 Megamoto	Optional
BMW	HP2 Sport	Optional
BMW	K1200LT	Standard
BMW	K1300GT	Standard
BMW	K1300R	Standard
BMW	K1300S	Standard
BMW	R1200GS	Optional
BMW	R1200GS Adventure	Optional
BMW	R1200R	Optional
BMW	R1200RT	Standard
BMW	S1000RR	Optional
Can-Am	Spyder	Standard
Can-Am	Spyder SE5	Standard
Harley Davidson	Electra Glide Classic	Optional
Harley Davidson	Electra Glide Standard	Optional
Harley Davidson	Electra Glide Ultra Limited	Standard
Harley Davidson	Night Rod Special	Optional
Harley Davidson	Road Glide	Optional
Harley Davidson	Road Glide Custom	Optional
Harley Davidson	Road King	Optional
Harley Davidson	Road King Classic	Optional
Harley Davidson	Road King Custom	Optional
Harley Davidson	CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide	Standard
Harley Davidson	Street Glide	Optional
Harley Davidson	Ultra Classic Electra Glide	Optional
Harley Davidson	V-Rod	Optional
Harley Davidson	V-Rod Muscle	Optional
Honda	CBR1000RR	Optional
Honda	CBR600RA	Optional
Honda	DN-01	Standard
Honda	Gold Wing	Optional
Honda	Interceptor 800	Optional
Honda	Reflex	Optional
Honda	Reflex Sport	Optional
Honda	Silver Wing	Optional
Honda	ST1300	Optional
Kawasaki	Concours 14	Optional
Kawasaki	Vulcan 1700 Voyager	Optional
Kymco	Xciting 500	Optional
Moto Guzzi	Norge 1200	Standard
Suzuki	Bandit 1250	Optional
Suzuki	B-King	Optional
Suzuki	Burgman 650	Optional
Suzuki	Gladius	Optional
Suzuki	GSX650F	Optional
Suzuki	SV650/SV650S/SV650SAF	Optional
Suzuki	V-Strom 650	Standard
Triumph	Sprint ST	Optional
Triumph	Tiger	Optional
Yamaha	FJR1300	Standard
Yamaha	FJR1300 Electric Shift	Standard