IN
THE
WIND
P28
BMW SHOWS OFF SELF-RIDING GS AT
LAS VEGAS
T
he Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas is the
number-one spot for compa-
nies to show off their weird
and wacky wares, and now it's
BMW's turn with their self-riding
R 1200 GS.
Interestingly with the GS,
there's no self-balancing gyros
at work to keep the bike level
and upright. BMW says it simply
uses the same throttle, back and
steering inputs that a rider would
use during normal operation.
It's hard to see the immediate
benefit of a self-riding motor-
cycle. Perhaps you could press
a button, have the bike meet you
at the door, and ride off into the
sunset? But in all seriousness,
the self-riding GS has some
good points to it, especially con-
sidering the size and weight of
such a bike, like making it easier
to park without tipping over.
We're still likely a long way
off the bike doing the riding for
us, which is a good thing, in our
opinion. CN
DANI PEDROSA BREAKS COLLARBONE
D
ani Pedrosa's infamously weak right collarbone has
broken once again. Pedrosa suffered the double
stress fracture in what he describes as a "gesture of
strength," which would likely mean a sudden and sharp
movement.
"Over the years, I have had several fractures in that
area and the last time was in three parts, leaving it
sclerotic," Pedrosa said. "The middle part does not
have enough blood flow, creating osteoporosis, so it
requires an effective solution to regenerate the bone
and achieve adequate recovery. After undergoing sev-
eral tests and medical consultations, the clear recom-
mendation is the total recovery and bone health."
Pedrosa's recuperation will require tissue repair sur-
gery, with graft contribution constituted by its own stem cells. As such, he will be unable to take up his
new position as KTM's lead test rider until he's passed a physical, which could take many months.
"I thank KTM for their great support for my full recovery. We are very excited about the work we are
doing and that is why I want to be physically in the best conditions for that exciting task. For me, the
challenge does not stop." CN
Dani Pedrosa's
brittle collarbone
has broken yet
again.
