Harley Bargains 4U

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will decide by next year whether or not anti-lock brakes should be mandatory on motorcycles, according to a Detroit News story cited on The Kneeslider. The report also mentions that fatal accident rates are 28 percent lower for bikes equipped with anti-lock systems, and that motorcycle fatalities per million miles traveled have nearly doubled between 1997 and 2007. Though NHTSA frequently enforces the implementation of safety technology into automobiles, their involvement in motorcycling tends to focus more on helmet usage and the prevention of drunk riding.

Personally, despite one disconcerting experience with ABS nearly a decade ago, I've since toured on ABS-equipped Harleys in the rain, ridden trails on anti-lock brake-equipped BMWs, and even tracked Honda sportbikes with linked stoppers designed to prevent lock-up. Every one of those experiences have been positive, and ABS has even saved my bacon on more than one occasion. Anti-lock systems are now standard on some Harleys and optional across a variety of manufacturers on everything from dual purpose bikes to scooters-- and in many cases, they can be disabled if the rider chooses.