This study, which is part of the 2016 "motorcycle" awareness campaign, aims to analyse precise and comparable data on the braking performance of motorcycles and passenger cars in emergency braking situations.
The conditions for conducting track tests: the instrumented motorcycle
In order to further control the influence parameters, the tests were carried out in a simple driving situation (emergency braking in a straight line at 50 and 90 km/h), with favourable external conditions, by professional drivers. The motorcycle and car selected were instrumented to measure and collect the longitudinal kinematics of the emergency braking from an initial stop signal to the vehicle's stop. This collection, carried out with the assistance of UTAC, made it possible to operate and analyse 44 motorcycle brakes and 62 light car brakes.
The results of the brake performance comparisons
The information collected shows:
- An identical reaction time for the same population required to perform an emergency braking manoeuvre with a motorcycle and a passenger car.
- A lower braking performance of the motorcyclist/motorcycle torque than that achieved by the driver/car torque.
- A longer average stopping distance for the motorcycle compared to the passenger car.
Increasing safety distances and speed moderation are therefore essential for motorcyclists to reduce the risk of collision and loss of control. These braking distances recorded with experienced pilots are certainly increased, with simple drivers. In a car, the steering and braking functions are separated, the driver sits against his seat and presses down on a pedal. When braking the PTW, the driver must manage the balance, as they are often not equipped with a splitter.
Braking distances of driving instructors (not normal drivers):
