An interesting bit of information on a braking test for motorcycles run under the official supervision of the Belgian Federal Police.
The results in braking on a dry concrete route were:
Type of vehicle braking from 120kmph 90km 50km
Toyota Avensis 52m 28m 8m
Honda Fireblade 64m 35m 8.5m
BMW R1150RS with ABS 55m 31.5m 8.5m
GB Highway Code 110m 64.5m 14m
Results of braking on wet bitumen:
Type of vehicle braking from 120kph 90kph 50kph
Toyota Avensis 46m 25m 7.5m
Honda Fireblade 49.6m 25m 6.6m
BMW R1150 RS with ABS 45.5m 28.5m 9.2m
These results were obtained by expert motorcyclists with machines and tyres in perfect condition. The Honda Fireblade (ridden by
motorcycle racer Louis Wuyts) had no ABS. On the other hand, the Toyota Avensis car is equipped with ABS. One of the interesting results of the test was that, on wet bitumen,
all vehicles stopped faster than on the dry concrete surface!
The test revealed that the car almost always braked faster than the bikes, even though the bikes were in
perfect condition. The car with ABS even brakes faster than the Fireblade! This is a sign that the new braking system of cars have improved a lot. There are a few
conclusions from this that we can all take on board.
1. The car brakes faster. Do not tailgate on your motorcycle!
2. Sometimes you can brake faster on wet bitumen
than on a dry concrete surface. Makes you think, doesn't it?"
