Are you scared of driving your motorcycle on highways? The root of this fear is the fatal accidents that can occur. And the worst part is that a bike is much more open as compared to a car. That is why even a minor collision can be very impactful. Most such accidents are caused because of a motorcycle’s blind spots. These areas are invisible in the side mirrors, leaving the rider completely blind.
There are many tips to avoid accidents in a motorcycle’s blind spots, like efficiently positioning your mirrors. But even that is not very useful in many situations, as your mirrors will offer an obstructed view. The ultimate solution is to opt for a motorcycle blind spot sensor to prevent road accidents.
This guide will explore the key benefits of a motorcycle blind spot sensor. It will help you convince why you should buy this assistive riding system for your bike. Let’s get started!
What Is a Motorcycle Blind Spot Sensor?
A motorcycle blind spot sensor is an assistive system that alerts the rider of any on-coming vehicles approaching. It continuously monitors the blind spots of the bike to keep the rider notified on the road. This way, the rider can make the right decision and avoid collisions with other vehicles.
You might have heard the term ‘lane change sensors.’ It is also a common name for the blind spot detection system. These sensors are radar-based, meaning they have no impact on the weather. In simple words, this system works in all conditions and actively watches your blind spots.
These sensors come in different frequency bands that decide the system’s working mechanism. Additionally, each motorcycle blind spot sensor has a limited speed, distance, and angle range. This description is available in the manufacturer’s manual of the blind spot detection model.
But another important question is, what are the blind spots of a motorcycle, and why are they dangerous? Let’s look at that to provide a clearer picture.
What Are The Blind Spots Of A Motorcycle?
A motorcycle has smaller blind spots than a car or truck due to its size. At the same time, they are more dangerous than other vehicles. That’s because a bike is opened from all sides, and any collision can directly impact the rider.
There are two main areas of a motorcycle invisible to the side mirrors that can be made visible using a blind spot detection system. They are:
- Rear Right
- Rear Left
The direct rear area is also considered a blind spot in some bikes. However, it depends on the placement of your motorcycle blind spot mirrors. If you position the mirrors well enough, you can get the rear view of your bike. The major blind spots are the rear right and rear left, as they are entirely invisible. You can try different mirror positions, but the view still remains unclear.
What’s the solution? Well, you can opt for a motorcycle blind spot sensor because it can cover all the blind spots. It is the most effective solution and minimizes the chances of any road accident.
How Does a Motorcycle Blind Spot Sensor Work?
Using a motorcycle blind spot sensor is fairly simple as most of its work is automated. But how does it work?
The blind spot detection system depends on two primary components, radar-based millimeter sensors, and notification lights. They both work in coordination to alert the rider of any approaching vehicles.
Microwave Millimeter Radar
The radars emit microwave signals to detect other vehicles on the road. Anything obstructing the signals of the radar will alert the rider. The microwaves emitted by the radars are bounced back from the moving object. This way, the system gets information about an oncoming vehicle’s speed. But here is its speciality; the radar signals only detect moving objects to avoid detecting stationary objects. This decreases false detections and makes these systems more reliable
A motorcycle blind spot sensor’s radars accurately measure several aspects of a vehicle, including speed. Other vital statistics are relative displacement, angle, and momentum. It allows the microwave signals to gather precise information before warning the rider.
Alert System
The alert system can vary depending on the motorcycle blind spot sensor model. Some have flashing lights, while others are equipped with audible warnings, like chimes or beeps. But the working is the same across all models.
When the radar signals detect a vehicle, they bounce back. It issues an alert that the rider receives on his blind spot system.
People often ask where are blind spot sensors located. Commonly, they are placed on the side mirror of the motorcycle(the radar will install the motorcycle rear,the led alarm light can install the mirror or front where will easy to view). This way, the rider can easily see the notifications without any inconvenience.
Based on the alert received from the sensors, the rider can make the right decision. For instance, the rider should continue the straight path if a vehicle comes from the rear left or right. Otherwise, changing lanes in this situation can lead to fatal collisions.
What Are The Limitations Of A Motorcycle Blind Spot Sensor?
We know that a motorcycle blind spot sensor can be very helpful. At the same time, it has some limitations and situations where it may not work correctly. Here are a few scenarios:
- When a vehicle approaches directly from the front.
- If you pass a non-moving or stationary object, like parked vehicles, guard rails, poles, etc.
- If the approaching vehicle is moving beyond or below the speed range of your blind spot sensor model.
It is also important to note that these sensors only work as an assistive system. They are not supposed to replace your safety riding practices. It is recommended to double-check before making a decision on the road, even after getting the alerts from your blind spot monitor.
6 Benefits Of a Motorcycle Blind Spot Sensor
A motorcycle blind spot sensor has endless benefits. Let’s look at them to convince you to install this assistive system:
1. No More Road Accidents
Road accidents can be fatal if you are riding a bike. It is an open vehicle that leaves the rider completely vulnerable. However, the BSM can be helpful in this situation as it keeps watch on your blind spots. Moreover, it provides you with accurate information about approaching vehicles. As a result, you can minimize the chances of collisions to zero.
2. Ride Without Stress
Riding a bike becomes very stressful on busy roads and highways. Since there are a lot of cars and trucks, it can be challenging to maneuver your smaller vehicle safely. If you also get anxious in such situations, opt for a motorcycle blind spot sensor.
It reduces your stress by actively keeping you posted. Blind spots of a bike are the most dangerous aspect, and this system takes care of them. It takes away your fear of accidents and makes you a confident rider.
3. Accurate Detection
A motorcycle blind spot sensor offers accurate information about an approaching vehicle. Depending on its area coverage, it focuses on various crucial factors of all nearby cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Plus, this assistive system is considerably more efficient than side mirrors. That’s because they work in the blind spots.
4. Easy Installation
One of the most frequently asked questions is how to install blind spot sensor. Rest assured that it is a very easy and convenient process. You can get these sensors on your bike, regardless of its brand or model.
That is why you will never hear brand-specific terms like BMW motorcycle blind spot detection. These sensors are universal, meaning that each model can work on all motorcycles with proper installation.
5. Unaffected by The Weather
Motorcycle blind spot mirrors are very helpful on busy roads. You can see if there is a vehicle approaching you from your or adjacent lane. But their functionality is limited, especially in severe weather conditions. The view can get blocked by snow, rain, dirt, and other outdoor elements.
However, that’s not the case with a motorcycle blind spot sensor. This radar-based system works effectively in all weather conditions and produces accurate results.
6. A Wide Range Of Options
Are you uncomfortable with audible warnings produced by a motorcycle blind spot sensor? Well, there is nothing to worry about, as you have tons of available options. You can get a system that only produces a flashing light to alert the rider. Similarly, many others prefer voice alerts as they are more attention-grabbing.
But one thing remains the same throughout all models, the control. While newer models are equipped with automatic options, like braking, they still require rider’s commands. Without your control, the assistive system can not make a move.
Conclusion
It is safe to say that a motorcycle blind spot sensor is a MUST-have for safety reasons. This assistive riding system can be a life-saver by preventing fatal accidents on the road. Most newer vehicles have built-in blind spot monitoring systems, while the older ones do not. Either way, you can get one installed on your motorcycle.
Since it comes in various options, you are destined to find the model that works best for you. Make sure to go through multiple options to find the right pick for your motorcycle.
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