Deer in the Headlights

This cliche  situation may be more common than you think. Not long ago was doing a routine reading session at Barnes & Noble and found an article on a long-time motorcycle instructor on his way back home, after a seminar he taught on Animal Avoidance On The Road. As he was riding his bike with the satisfaction of a mission accomplished, hit a deer on his way and the result was fatal for both of them.

Here is the link to a video which, despite of its permanent no so aesthetic logo, brings up a set of interesting points about sudden impact with animals, visibility, speed, reaction and post accident safety procedures. The video starts off with a happy ride formation as viewed from a helmet-cam view,  between leaders and  trailers at speeds a somewhat higher than normal.

Shortly after our rider hits the deer with his front-right fairing and leg, he controls balance and maintains his trajectory; best of all he manages to decelerate uniformly until a safe  stop. His riding  buddy says ” you are luck, you are lucky!” and oh yes he was, because that event could have been tragic had it not been for the rider’s skills.

Of course, there was also a  natural frustration about the bike’s damage and who knows if there was also any fracture on the leg. Still,  all that happened was controlled and fortunate. I would even praise the idea of going back to the impact zone to pull the deer remains off of the road to avoid a further mishap. If you replay the impact,  will see what you won’t on the first view, even if you know what you are about to see. On the subsequent reviews however, it  is perfectly clear to your eyes how the deer strikes the bike (or viceversa?) with his disoriented and confused head.

A few thoughts…

1) Animal strikes can happen at any second the road, regardless whether it is day or night.
2) Ride at a speed you can deal with, in the event of a sudden change of conditions.
3) After impact, if possible, minor corrections will keep you in control. Decelerate slowly.
4) Safely return to the impact area and again, safely clean up the debris.
5) Although many of us love to ride alone, riding in group is much safer.

Here is the link:

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The Genesis of the MonoTracer

James Bede created the famous BD5 aircraft which in turn evolved into the BD10. The latter, was not as successful as the first one because e the technology wasn’t up to par years ago, and it was reflected on the avionics and especially on fuel consumption. However, the trail was blazed for future entrepreneurs and motorheads. In the interim, Bede knew he could use the same canopies he used for the planes, to dress up a motorbike and create a very articulate vehicle ahead of its time.

The natural evolution unfolded before his designer’s eyes without much trouble and honestly, his job was a neat one. The product was finally rigged up to a very neat one, ready to hit the consumer stands. Once spoke with Mr. Bede over the phone regarding his finest jet (BD10) and its unexpected failure. He sounded very happy and easy about not being able to make it a big financial success and that attitude always got me puzzled. Guess he was right by being wrong and even though it was not a commercial hit, it was an engineering benchmark only matched by today’s technology, that is probably why we kept his cool back then.

When you look a the BD10, (Left) it is hard to ignore the sleek silhouette of the craft, and the inevitable sense of power and high

speed off of the sharp angles and supersonic-like geometry; even harder to imagine this project being doomed to failure because the GE powerplant did not deliver the performance needed to making it happen. too bad, it would have been a perfect personal business jet or a basic jet trainer to start with. But finally, the story goes toward the usage of the canopy and BD5 body as a cosmic looking vehicle, used on the background of Back to the Future, the movie.

The prototypes were a bit sketchy but coming from this well recognized engineer, the final touch-ups were just a matter of time after all the rigging took place. And it did happen like this, the models were corrected and fine-tuned and then dolled up as appropriate to the occasion.

It is plain to see (in retrospective only) that technology was not ready back then and conversely, it is so today due to the level

of manipulation we can achieve on materials, composites and electronics. If you look at yesterday’s bodies, they were aerodynamically correct, though prone to destruction on a minor fender bender. Composites weren’t ready yet. Today the power plant are at their peak, electronics are everywhere at a friendliest costs and fuel costs are always on a rise, so what’s not to like?. There is a great chance for the public out here to find a dream toy, easy on gas, very fast and relatively safe. Relatively safe?. Well, my point exactly, I wonder how safe this vehicle would be. I am confident on how the right technology is here to support the vehicle and know that makes sense in terms of road/parking space, fuel cost and Eco-partnership if you will. But is it safe?

  The trip has been exiting, the evolution has been worked out thoroughly and there is lots of brainwork in the making, no doubt. I love the creative and production process but above all what drives me crazy is the idea of hitting it big. Why not? the idea is outstanding, the product is right, the time is right, I feel this is got to happen. On the next issue will show the latest model, the new generation of Litestars called MonoTracer, designed by a different genius but nonetheless a professional motorhead at work. It is a public issue now, to digest the concept and see if those who know about vehicle safety will approve the craft for the road ahead.  Special thanks to www.miguelperezphoto.com for the photo archive work.

On the next issue, The advent of the MonoTracer

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Is this the right time for this capsule?

Back in the 70s James Bede a bright engineer designed a mini airplane pushed by a prop and later by a jet engine. The craft was so cool it was used for the Bond flick Octopussy and still flies today at airshows near you. In between, he also created a motorcycle which borrowed the canopy and part of the skin from the miniplane to become a road-vehicle unheard of at that time.

Needless to say the bike didn’t take off as high as the cousing plane but today, former SwissAir pilot Arnold Wagner who has been playing with enclosed bikes since the 80s, has put together a prototype based on a BMW 1200 dressed up in carbon fiber skin.

The result is impressive and the obvious question pops: Is this the right time for this capsule? I think it is, only feel sad about Mr. Bede whose brilliant mind deserves the recongition and reality is, he probably won’t. On the next few issues of The Motorcycle Safety Exchange will have a closer look a the powerplant, performance and looks of this sexy ship before we see them on the road. If you have you seen any similar prototypes somewhere else and got some pictures, please let us know.

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The Motorcycle Safety Exchange

I have been riding mid to long range lately and there is something that still remains unfamiliar to me: The Wind. The day before the ride,checked out the weather forecast along the route and the only relevant factor was the wind itself. Gustings 17 to 26 kts were strong enough to get you in trouble when near big trucks or even next to a speeding Mini.

I would summarize my concern about wind-force on the road in terms of ahead planning (Wx forecast checkup) and relevant reading material. By doing this, you will get an idea as to what to expect if you have not been through real windy conditions before.  Once you have done your homework, make sure tire press is optimal for the temperature and your outfit is snug enough, the motorcycle kind.  Keep in mind that even though you don’t see it, it is always there so be prepared to feel it when the imaginary duct around the road changes, such as the ending of a long line of trees, trailers passing, or other scenario changer.

Vibration and buffeting will prompt for a speed change (higher or lower) but in any case, do it gradually by using your softest skills. There is no need for an uncomfortable and/or unsafe ride, so feel free to pull over onto the next exit and make a smart pit stop.  Finally, I feel that my power-cruiser should be traded for a more aerodynamic shape, the natural evolution of the sport.

What is the perfect bike then? Wrong question, you mean what are the perfect bikes?, then we are talking.  I would love to have a barn with half a dozen bikes for different purposes and moods so that would take care of the original question but in any case you will be perfectly happy by accepting you bikes pros and cons.

Any comments about the effects of wind on motorcycle riding are in order…

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