AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ — In time for the World’s largest motorcycle event, Continental, an international automotive supplier, is strengthening its presence in the two-wheel market with a new, compact anti-lock braking system (ABS) for motorcycles. The MAB (motorcycle anti-lock braking system) developed by the Chassis & Safety Division weighs only about 2.6 pounds (1.2 kg) and can be easily installed into the structure of most motorcycle designs. Continental’s experience developing anti-lock braking systems for passenger cars made it possible to develop the new MAB in just 16 months. The first application will be in the new Aprilia models: Mana, Shiver and Dorsoduro due to hit the market in 2009. “Widespread use of anti-lock devices on motorcycles and motor scooters would make a significant contribution toward reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities around the world,” said Dirk Remde, director of motorcycle braking systems in the Chassis & Safety Division. “Our systems already are making an important contribution to the European Safety Charter, to halve the number of motorcycle accidents by 2010, compared with 2004.” In the United States, there are an estimated 5,000 motorcycle fatalities per year. An October 2008 study by the IIHS showed in comparison that the same model of motorcycles with ABS crashed 38 percent less than those without. Continental’s first motorcycle integral braking system (MIB) was developed in collaboration with BMW, and unveiled two years ago. Currently, 47 motorcycle models in the United States are available with ABS. “Size provides a decisive competitive advantage in addition to price – even more so with motorcycles than with cars because there is considerably less space available,” Remde added. Stability is the key for motorcyclists As with cars, the primary objective when a motorcycle performs an emergency stop is to ensure that it remains stable. A locked-up wheel on a motorcycle will almost inevitably lead to a fall. Continental’s design includes sensors on the front and rear wheels that calculate speed during braking to determine whether a lock-up is imminent. If so, the control unit will reduce the brake pressure to prevent lock-up and loss of stability. A rear wheel lift-off protection system (RLP) is also available as an option to the basic MAB. The RLP works to detect rear wheel lift during hard braking by employing a brake pressure sensor to analyze hydraulic pressure in the braking system. If the wheel is about to lift, pressure in the front brake circuit is slightly reduced, stabilizing the motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents: falls triple the risk of life-threatening injuries Studies by accident insurers, the German Federal Highway Research Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States, have proven that anti-lock braking systems provide great benefits for motorbike riders. One in five motorcycle accidents results in a fall due to a front wheel lock-up. Virtually all these falls (93 percent) could be prevented by an anti-lock braking system. Even if the stopping distance is insufficient to prevent a collision, controlled brake application can significantly reduce the impact velocity and thus the severity of the accident. If the rider falls off, the risk of suffering serious injuries rises considerably. The studies clearly show that fatalities double, and life-threatening injuries triple those accidents in which the brakes are applied under control. In Germany alone, installing anti-lock braking systems would save the lives of an estimated 100 motorcyclists each year and prevent a further 3,000 serious injuries. As a result, legislation is pending in Germany to make ABS mandatory for all motorcycles. Official Bike Week Perhaps it was the appeal of hard sand, warm winter days and the excitement of that first motorcycle race on the beach, that made Daytona Beach the home of Bike Week. Maybe it was the spirited activities surrounding the event that have kept people coming back. Whatever the case, Bike Week has been a tradition since January 24, 1937 – the inaugural running of the Daytona 200. Today Bike Week has transformed into a 10-day festival that expands throughout Volusia County in California. There are hundreds of events for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy. Bike Week now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is enjoyed by locals and motorcycle enthusiasts world wide. With sales exceeding euro 25 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 140,000 people at nearly 190 locations in 35 countries. As a worldwide leading technology and systems partner to the automotive industry, the Chassis & Safety Division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how and leading-edge quality in the fields of active and passive driving safety, safety and chassis sensorics, and chassis components. The Division achieves sales of euro 5.1 billion (preliminary figures 2008) with a workforce of approximately 27,000 (2008). Chassis & Safety develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, air bag control systems, occupant classification systems, washer systems as well as electronic air suspension systems. www.JustDriveandEnjoySafety.com www.continental-corporation.com