7 Technologies That’ll Transform the Future of Motorcycles

As we all know, challenges are the basis of change. It is a human tendency to find better solutions when we face any limitation or challenge. So, before diving straight into the future of motorcycles, let’s first look at the challenges in the motorcycle market that require attention.

1. Carbon Emission: There are serious issues like the adverse environmental conditions we face today due to accessive carbon emissions. Automotive pollution contributes a significant portion to the rising global warming and declining climate conditions. Therefore, in the future of motorcycles, we must seek a focused solution to this issue.

2. Price constraints: The motorcycle market peaked in 2011 with over 120k units sold in a year. A major reason behind 2011’s peak was the:

• Economic optimism
• Changing lifestyle trends
• Government incentive to recover the economy from the 2008 crises
• People’s interest

As the reasons mentioned above were temporary, the motorcycle market saw a dip and never broke its all-time high record. The rising cost of ownership of bikes was one of the major reasons behind it.

3. Safety concerns: Here in Australia, cars are considered safer than motorcycles Moreover, the rising number of accidents due to motorcycles has severely impacted motorcycle sales. However, this issue can be resolved with the advanced tech revolutions in the motorcycle market.

4. Lack of Advanced Features: Today’s motorcycles aren’t futuristic enough. There are huge differences if we compare the features of an average car and a bike. We need more features to be added in order to make motorcycle more appealing to consumers.

5. Rider Comfort: Today’s bikes lack interchangeability and are made all over for a specific reason. For example, a sports bike will not be appropriate for daily commutes. In the real world, we use a bike for different applications; hence the bike market demands a rider-comfy motorcycle.

Now that we know the challenges of the motorcycle, let’s discuss how the market will react and what changes we may see in the upcoming year:

1. Electric Motorcycles: To reverse global warming, buying an electric motorcycle will become a common norm in the near future. With the collaboration of government and public demand, the EV market is already on the rise and soon, battery-driven motorcycles may dominate the market.

2. Interactive Features: Today’s motorcycles lack a major feature that’s currently available in all the cars and we would like to see it in new models of bikes.

It’s 2024 and we’re still stuck with the same boring console that shows basic information. We rarely find any motorcycle fitted with interactive features like mobile phone connectivity, touchscreen, Geo-fencing, mobile phone, etc. Such features are limited to electric motorcycles but ICE motorcycles will hopefully have such advanced features.

3. Compatible Motorcycles: While talking about the future of motorcycles, it’s presumed that the bikes will be sophistically designed with weird designs and sharp edges, which are utterly wrong. The motorcycles in the future will be interchangeable and built smart enough to be used in different applications comfortably.

4. Future-proof Material: The motorcycles of the next decade might not be flying in the air but they’ll be much lighter, sustainable, more durable, and comfortable. The following material may be used in the future.

5. AI in motorcycles:

Future motorcycles will be highly compatible with Artificial Intelligence in every aspect of the vehicle. This revolution has already started and this technology will go mainstream in the upcoming years. Here’s how AI will impact motorcycles:

Safety and Assistance:

• Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS): Imagine systems that detect and warn of dangers like blind spots, lane departures, and potential collisions, assisting in preventing accidents.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI-powered diagnostics that monitor bike health, predicting potential issues before they arise. This helps ensure peak performance and also prevent breakdowns.

Enhanced Performance and Comfort:

• Route Optimisation: AI analyses traffic patterns and weather conditions to suggest your journey’s fastest, safest, and most scenic routes.
• Active Aerodynamics: Intelligent systems adjust fairings and windshields in real time to reduce drag. It optimises aerodynamics depending on speed and road conditions.
• V2X communication: Motorcycles communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure, sharing information on hazards, traffic jams, and road conditions for a safer and more efficient ride.

6. Connected Motorcycles

Internet-connected smart motorcycles could integrate with smartphones and other devices for navigation, voice commands, theft tracking, and diagnostics. With real-time data, bikes would monitor mechanics, adjust performance, provide maintenance alerts, and more. In addition, 5G connectivity can enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.

7. Self-Balancing Technology

Self-balancing motorcycles that can stand upright without a kickstand; they can adjust their stability at low speeds or sudden stops. Features like these could make riding more accessible. Similar to Segway self-balancing scooters, this technology relies on gyroscopes and accelerometers to keep the bike balanced, even when stationary. Many companies, from established giants to new-age startups, are working on developing this technology. Here are a few examples:

Established Giants:

• Honda: NM4 Vultus and NC750X feature low-speed self-balancing technology, offering assistance during starts and stops.
• BMW Motorrad: Vision DC Roadster concept
• Yamaha Motor: Electric R3

Innovative Startups:

• Aether Motorcycles
• Lito Motorcycles
• Super pedestrian

Motor Cycle City is a reliable dealer if you are looking to buy an electric motorcycle in Australia. For more than 35 years, we have engaged in the trade of purchasing, selling, and repairing scooters and motorcycles in Victoria. Our inventory includes both new and pre-owned SYM scooters.

Additionally, we offer a diverse selection of high-quality motorcycle and scooter parts, riding accessories, and essential supplies like engine oils, batteries, tyres, and lubricants. To know more, you can call us on 03 9663 1200 or email us at mccity@iinet.net.au.