BMW Motorrad intros Neck Brake System for motorcyclists
We normally don't cover motorcycle news here on Autoblog, but a release from BMW Motorrad yesterday caught our attention and we thought we'd share it. Motorrad is BMW's motorcycle division, and yesterday it introduced its new neck Brace System, which is designed to help protect the spinal cord from injury in the event of an accident. It's usable with any helmet, and the way it works is quite simple. The rider places the carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass brace around his or her neck and then secures it using a pair of fasteners mounted to its side. It's padded with soft-touch materials on its underside, so it'll be comfortable to the wearer, and the use of lightweight materials keeps it from becoming too cumbersome. Developed with the aid of a physician, the brace helps keep the rider's neck from moving too far forward, backward, or laterally, and also helps absorb energy coming down to the spine from the helmet if the impact is coming from above. According to BMW, at no time does this device inhibit the rider's normal range of movement. The system will cost £325 in the UK, and unfortunately, we don't have any info on when/if it will be available in the US, and what our pricing would be. We'd like to hear what you motorcycle riders out there think of this device in the comments.
[Source: BMW Motorrad]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ETR 11:49AM (5/10/2007)
Hello:
Thought I'd add a link to this thread on a BMW Cycle forum that offers a great testimonial and other information regarding this device... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=330814
Eric
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Eric 11:23AM (5/09/2007)
How interesting. Looks just like a Leatt Brace http://www.leatt-brace.com/ as marketed by KTM, but will be twice as expensive for the same piece of kit thanx to the BMW name. Much like their motorcycles.
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Kit 11:49AM (5/09/2007)
I could see wearing this when either offroading or taking a bike to the track. But while it would certianly be useful, I can't see wearing one on the street. Funny, because that's in opposition to my stance on helmets. I won't ride anywhere without one, (and scoff at those who will)even though it's legal in my new state...I guess we all draw the line somewhere.
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Quattrofan 11:52AM (5/09/2007)
Eric, read the article linked from first post. Leatt brace is a product that was developed by a South African doctor who received "funding" from a variety of companies, including BMW and KTM. I can imagine the above product is an BMW branded evolution of Leatt brace. Also, do you even own a BMW motorcycle?
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Mike 11:54AM (5/09/2007)
Don't forget to sign your organ donor card.
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LyonKing 12:13PM (5/09/2007)
I see anything that would keep me alive in a crash as a good thing. If this doesnt cut down on my ability to move my head around or impair movement in any other way I'm all for it
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John P. 12:41PM (5/09/2007)
just wait until some senator or congressman catches wind of this. we'll all be wearing these in our cars in a few years.
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paul34 12:52PM (5/09/2007)
#7: Uh, what?
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John P. 12:57PM (5/09/2007)
8. don't say I didn't warn you.
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F451 1:13PM (5/09/2007)
Having witnessed the effects of friends who have had accidents who ride motor—this is a good thing. I have always ridden with a full helmet whether I am riding one of my cruisers or my touring bike. I catch a lot of crap from my cruisers riding buddies who wear the illegal brain-buckets, but my brain makes me money, and I like to protect it all costs. I would like to try this to see how comfortable it is on long hauls.
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Stephan 1:17PM (5/09/2007)
Hey Eric, did you read the Leatt Brace website. It states the Moto GPX neck brace has an MSRP of $999! You are right (just a little backwards) twice as expensive as BMW.
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Stephan 1:19PM (5/09/2007)
On more thing just remember for whatever reason items in £ almost always go for about the same in $, not what the converstion rate is at.
Full list of Leatt Brace prices
http://www.leatt-brace.com/gpx_paypal_USA.asp
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Andy 1:27PM (5/09/2007)
I'll have to check out the link. My first thought is what would it be like wearing the device in 90 degree 90% humidity summer. It's hard enough getting a breeze with vented jackets as it is.
On a more generic note, why not start covering motorcycle news Autoblog?
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punkmonk 1:35PM (5/09/2007)
this is probably an ignorant question, but how does this differ from a HANS device?
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scott Bowers 1:54PM (5/09/2007)
They differ from the HANS device in that it does not connect to anything. It rests on your neck and has a single sculpted piece in the rear that extends about 6-8 inches down.
We use these in the Karting community and I know these are also being used in the motocross world. The regular version is $400US - the one pictured above is the lighter kevlar version ($900+).
I doubt these will even become mandatory pieces for the everyday driver.
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JGN 2:05PM (5/09/2007)
I wish Autoblog covered more Motorcycle news. They've engines, and there are no good blogs for motorcycles.
And why does Autoblog all but ignore Honda?
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Andrew Eller 2:11PM (5/09/2007)
I would be hesistant to wear a device named "Neck Brake"....
Is this a typo? Is it supposed to say 'Neck Brace'?
Is it a play on words? Like how 'break' is to damage, but 'brake' is to stop?
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mr.ed 4:46PM (5/09/2007)
Are you better off maimed, in perpetual pain where you aren't paralyzed, and dragging your family into bankruptcy using this rig, or dead? Do sign that donor card everybody else will be better off.
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vielzebub 11:11PM (5/09/2007)
Harsh mr. ed, harsh.
I've been riding motorcycles for years and yet I'm still not immune to comments like yours.
I'll make a deal with you though, I'll sign my donor card, if you check twice before pulling out in traffic.
Checking twice can save a life as most motorcycle fatalities are caused by drivers not seeing a motorcyclist and pulling out in front of one.
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Campisi 3:08AM (5/10/2007)
#19 has a very good point. The majority of motorcycle crashes are the direct fault of a motorist not looking or paying attention when they're driving, hitting one or more motorcyclists in the process.
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