Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki has recently filed a patent for a new radar assisted systems. The new system will tremendously add to the safety quotient of the motorcycle and enhance its ability to allow safer operations for both rider and pedestrians on the street.
The patent drawings show a front and rear radar fitted to what seems to be the silhouette of a Kawasaki Versys 1000. The front sensor will measure the distance between the obstacle in the front and the motorcycle and will pass on information to a central control unit which controls the speed of the motorcycle using the electronic throttle and automatic braking system if there is a hazard ahead. Similarly, the rear radar will measure the distance between the motorcycle and the vehicle behind it and warn the rider if the vehicle gets too close or approaches the bike at an alarming speed, which means the rider can then move out of its path.
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 will be an ideal motorcycle to develop this technology as it is mostly used for long distance touring and adventure riding. The Versys 1000 is powered by a 1043cc, liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder, DOHC engine producing 120 PS of power @ 9000 RPM and 102 Nm of torque @ 7500 RPM coupled to a 6-speed Transmission. The chassis is a twin-tube aluminium with a 27.0° rake and 106 mm trail with a wheelbase of 1520mm. The ground clearance is 150mm and a seat height of 840mm. The curb mass of the motorcycle is 255 kg and has a fuel capacity of 21 litres. It sports 43mm inverted telescopic fork on the front and gas charged monoshock on the rear. The brakes are 310mm dual petal disc on the front and 250mm petal disc on the rear.
The ideal partner that Kawasaki will choose to develop the radar technology will most likely be the German brand Bosch, but that is as much as we can speculate for now…