United States – Popping up in our news feed recently, are reports of the technological and practical motorcycling training aid – the SKIDBIKE™ described as a “Disruptive Training Technology”, revolutionising the rider learning process.
The people at SKIDBIKE™ say that it, “Is the safest technology ever offered in the history of motorised 2‐wheel training. Many accidents that occur on training ranges across the globe daily can be prevented or eliminated with SKIDBIKE. Not only does it make motorcycle training safer, but also reduces the required time commitment for student understanding.”
What is SKIDBIKE™ and what does it do?
The SKIDBIKE™ takes an ordinary motorcycle and modifies it with the fitting of a set of “training wheels” – safety wings – patented Traction Control Device (TCD) – that use an electric ram to simulate a wide variety of dangerous real-world encounters to both front and rear wheels.
It achieves this by being engineered to adjust tire grip through the electric ram and independent dual carriage system. The safety wings that control the pre‐determined maximum degree of lean angle between 0 and 35 degrees are connected to an attachment bracket, which is mounted to the frame.
Through loss of the coefficient of friction, speed and road conditions are simulated. The G’s and speed are lowered so that if the rider fails to control the bike and “crashes”, the safety wings inhibit the fall, stopping the event before the rider can hit the ground or be thrown from the bike.
Additionally, the Instructor operated SKIDBIKE Controller can cut engine power at the push of a button.
This allows learning of not only the basics of motorcycle control techniques, but also to provide future exposure to new technologies like ABS (Anti-Lock Braking Systems), traction control and Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC).
In addition, removal of both TCDs with the safety wings still attached allows for training full lock, full lean turns without the fear of falling in real world situations such as slippery or wet roads.
The Crash Without The Rash
SKIDBIKE™ comments, “Second only to vision, most professionals agree that braking is the most important component for rider safety.”
Threshold braking and the rider experience of tire lock up can’t be safely experienced in a training environment without SKIDBIKE™. What SKIDBIKE™ does is to allow the learning of proper front and rear braking techniques without the hazard.
The system balances the bike with both front and rear loss of grip, it showcases how important front wheel grip is with life‐saving, and practical exposure which SKIDBIKE™ says has never before been SAFELY available in rider training.
Imagine you are sliding sideways, but now the front is losing grip. What do you do?
Another element SKIDBIKE™ can streamline is motorcycle control operation – Friction zones, gear change and neutral selection, front and rear brake activation, switch operation, and more, can be learned statically without moving an inch.
Low speed turns and figure 8 exercises which are critical for the new rider to understand can be learned in complete safety with students experiencing the fail, but not the fall. Mistakes that are made that normally would cause a rider to fall to the ground.
Who’s it for?
SKIDBIKE™ offers professional motorcycle training schools, academies, and dealers a tool for training vital safety concepts and techniques to all riders.
From being an unequalled crowd pleaser at promotional events to successfully building confidence in those riders with little experience, the SKIDBIKE offers an abundance of exercises that extend well beyond “basic” beginner curriculum.
For new riders the system lessons include:
Balance
Vision
Front brake control
Rear brake control
Dual brake control
Gear selection
Clutch activation
Friction zone concepts
Leaning
Experienced Rider practice exercises include:
Balance
Vision
Front brake control
Rear brake control
Dual brake control
Gear selection
Clutch activation
Friction zone concepts
Leaning
Threshold of lock up, Front Brake
Threshold of lock up, Rear Brake
Counter‐steering techniques
What causes a Low Side
What causes a High Side
Low Side management and control
High Side Management and control
Proper rider body positioning
Throttle control – On/off throttle, handle bar straight – Throttle control, handle bar pushed
From what we can see, the SKIDBIKE™ offers safe practical training on a real motorcycle, this offers a real life experience of how the motorcycle reacts, how a rider reacts physically and emotionally (oh no I’m going to crash) which cannot be obtained fully in simulation systems.
Plus it looks like massive fun without sacrificing any of the educational benefits. The SKIDBIKE™ certainly grips the riders attention!
SKIDBIKE™ is manufactured by Cedergrens Mechanical in Klintehamn, Sweden and is imported and distributed in the Western Hemisphere exclusively by SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC., a Nevada, USA Corporation.
Information & Links
Here at Motorcycle Minds we have experienced the marvellous device you mentioned for experiencing all sorts of traction situations.
Although that was perhaps a whole different learning curve (sic) on lean – counter steering – steering and balance, a whole different approach from riding a solo motorcycle – one didn’t even have to put feet down when stopping..
The problem with driving within the the posted speed limits is that today’s motorcycles and in fact yesterday’s motorcycles are capable of speeds well outside the posted speed limits – one issue of top speed and another of remaining within speed limits eg Urban areas.
While you say that – “the bottom line is that motorcycle crashes are not simply a matter of an unskilled or ignorant driver losing control.” then let’s say that – ” If you zip into an intersection at warp 8, and another motorist gets in your way, no braking system or traction control device will be able to overcome the laws of nature, regardless of your talents.” is surely contradictory as at warp factor 8 into a junction with a motorist in the way would be an ignorant rider.
Of course if that rider has a right of way on a main road then we start to get into the realms of – “Sorry Mate I Did Not See You” (SMIDSY) – he came out of nowhere debate, which is a whole different debate compared to what the SKIDBIKE is offering for newer training riders and more mature riders.
Another issue is that we are all “experts” and will never agree on all things but I think we can agree that the SKIDBIKE offers, with the right approach, what it is intended to be a valuable training system.
Training or rather training to just past a test rather that training to ride is an issue in Europe – what are your thoughts on training in the US?
So, motorcycling is dangerous, but you can make it “safe” if only you learn to manage traction. Having seen the skid bike in action I can report that it’s a marvelous device for experiencing all sorts of traction situations. Of course, we already have marvelous devices for exploring traction: sidecar rigs. Operators of PTWs could learn a lot about traction by learning to drive an outfit.
However, the bottom line is that motorcycle crashes are not simply a matter of an unskilled or ignorant driver losing control. If you zip into an intersection at warp 8, and another motorist gets in your way, no braking system or traction control device will be able to overcome the laws of nature, regardless of your talents.
First, if you are seriously focused on being “safe” I would advise not driving a motorcycle. Seriously. And if you are going to ignore my advice and ride anyway, I suggest the importance of developing outstanding situational awareness, and then driving within the posted speed limits.