#emergency

Harley-Davidson has filed a patent application for a rider assist system that autonomously applies a motorcycle’s brakes in emergency situations.

Way back in 2015, we tested the Spot Gen3 satellite tracking device on our Ultimate Sport-Touring Adventure, and we came away impressed with its ease of use. Although we never had to initiate any of the emergency functions, we were happy to know that if things did go sideways, we’d have a way to summon help to our location – even if we were out of cell phone range. So, as I hatched my plan to ride the 2018 Honda Gold Wing Tour from Austin, TX home to Los Angeles, CA, my ever tolerant (and long-suffering) wife asked if there would be any way to track me when I was in the remote areas of my trip in case something went wrong. I told her I had just the thing.

We’ve all had that sinking feeling as our motorcycle starts to sputter unexpectedly, triggering a quick glance to the fuel gauge or low fuel light. Have you ever noticed how much quicker a bike seems to slow down when it runs out of gas compared to when you just chop the throttle? It probably has something to do with the complete lack of control you have over the throttle at this moment. Still, even in the best of circumstances, running out of gas on a bike is a pain. You’ll either have to push the bike if a station is in sight or go get a container of gas.

Getting lost during our Ultimate Sport-Touring Adventure wasn’t a true concern, but considering the risk of something going sideways with nine bikes and riders over the course of six days and 2,000 miles certainly was. Thankfully we didn’t find ourselves in a situation requiring the SPOT Gen3’s Help/Assist or, especially, the S.O.S. functions, but it was comforting knowing they were there if an emergency did arise. Otherwise, the SPOT Gen3 was great way of updating friends and family (in our case, MO readers) to our whereabouts.