Motorcycles capable of warning riders when they’re speeding, cornering too fast or too close to the vehicle in front are to begin UK road trials in June. The warning system is a prototype of safety technology the European Commission (EC) would like to see manufacturers put on road bikes in five or six years. An EC-funded research project called Saferider will equip at least nine bikes with the technology, including a Yamaha Tenere an X-Max 250 scooter, and a Piaggio MP3 Hybrid. It’s likely they will use satellite navigation and speed limit maps to warn the rider when he’s speeding. A "curve speed warning" feature will tell the rider when he’s approaching a bend too fast. Sensors will detect objects ahead and warn riders if there is a risk of collision. Current trials involve simulators but bikes are to be tested on the road this summer ahead of public demonstrations at the Mira test track in Nuneaton on November 5. Dr. Roberto Montanari, technical manager of the project, at Italy’s University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, said: "We are in the development phase and the riding side will be done in June."                                                                                                                                                                             

Can't see the point tbh.   There's no system that can take account of all factors, including road condition, type of machine, rider ability etc etc etc   The system will therefore be set at the lowest level, to cover a worst case scenario, ie worthless to 90% of riders.   Might be an entertaining feature tho. Set the warning off, or accept you're riding like a wuss                                                                                                                                                                             

yeah ok, you can work out speed, angle of bend, camber maybe but what about gravel, wet, all the pot holes that are"not big enough to be called potholes".....can't see it really......                                                                                                                                                                             

Sometimes i wish i was terminated at conception when i hear the constant --- safe ..safer ..safest...tell you what don't ride a bike because you are going to die !!!! --- mentality that is being applied to motorcycling.
Stop trying to protect us from ourselves, we know it can be dangerous we accept that fact and sometimes buy a bike for that reason.....

Well i have said enough and i have to go now before the men with white coats come for me.......

Just look at it as Geeks Heaven ................ bless they have to design something each day or they have withdrawals                                                                                                                                                                             

  I think I agree with Rob (I'm making a habit of that lol) doesn't seem much point.   I also agree with sdv9r, FGS!! most sports are dangerous, don't hear the government announcing tight restrictions, crippling rules and extortionate money making schemes to those pastimes. I wish they'd shove off and give long-term vehicle drivers more checks, and awareness tests, in respect of bikers sharing the same roads as them. Why is it bikers all the time?     Amen lol                                                                                                                                                                               

This contraption will take away the need to practice practice practice...    whatever happened to making mistakes and learning from them ?                                                                                                                                                                               

Can't say anything as I'm involved.  I see people are bitching already lol   People bitched about seat belts and ABS on cars at first too.   I'm reserving opinion.   And the bikes tested in November were not fitted with the system, they were being used to assess the visibility of road signs for different user groups, ie we had trucks, bikes and cars all using the same section of track to determine how readable different styles of signs are under varying light conditions.                                                                                                                                                                             

Be a sad world if we all agreed on the same Jim, and you won't say anything, it's your paycheck afterall and it's not professional to do so.  I still think it's taking away personal  judgement - what happened to looking a mile up ahead, past several vehicles, watching your speed  and using common sense ?                                                                                                                                                                             

I don't think anyone could argue about the benefits of some research, such as seat belts.   But "The warning system is a prototype of safety technology the European Commission (EC) would like to see manufacturers put on road bikes in five or six years."   Yeah right. The day I need a gizmo, to tell me how to ride, is the day they nail the lid down.                                                                                                                                                                             

Well said Rob                                                                                                                                                                              

May be good as a learners aid                                                                                                                                                                               

On second thoughts...     Wasn't me officer, the gizmo made me do it   And if they don't accept that, sue the manufacturers                                                                                                                                                                             

Now ur thinking man like Rob lol                                                                                                                                                                              

BJ said: may be good as a learners aid   may be, but as a pilly I still look a mile up the road and keep an eye open, and thats with my silly problem!                                                                                                                                                                             

I must be doin sumat wrong then cos when i ride pilly all i see is whats behind us !!!!                                                                                                                                                                              

Conspiracy theory.....they tell us its a safety gizmo to help us live longer lives and die as a lonely o.a.p. aged 147 crippled with debt caus we cant pay the gas bill.....but i digress.......while keeping us safe it also records time and place and speed and is connected to your debit card so if you speed or park in the wrong place....... your gonna pay before you no it.

UP THE REVOLUTION

*A "curve speed warning" feature will tell the rider when he’s approaching a bend too fast.*

I'm not so sure this is such a bad idea but it depends on how the informations given to the rider for it to be useful. If it's a buzzer and flashing light it would be as much use as a chocolate poker but if it's shown as a gauge indicating your approach speed against a predetermined marker then it could be a way of helping you judge the road ahead better. I think experienced riders can suffer the 'i've been riding for years syndrome' and take it or leave it but new riders could find it helpful. Obviously anyone with half a brain cell would take into account road conditions and gravel, potholes etc are just as much a surprise with or without this system so you wouldn't follow it to the letter.
I've got a warning picture comes up in the car if I hit a certain speed and you'd be amazed how many times I say whoops and ease off a bit. I don't see it as something undermining my driving skills, more a driving aid. 
Anyway just a thought and only my opinion                                                                                                                                                                              

End of the day, no one knows whats ahead on the road - I lost a much loved friend  from my teens, four years ago who had been riding for years. He was 6ft 3, on his Blackbird,hit a gravel patch, hit a road sign and died instantly - no one knows whats ahead, safety devices or not - ride safe all 

ye gods are they trying to stop us having any fun ! it all part of there plan to introduce auto speed restrictions on cars and bikesso when you hit a 30pmh zone your bike will auto slow down how boring would that be erh ?