LEG PROTECTION FOR A SPORTS MOTORCYCLE

The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has previously reported on research which shows that leg protection for motorcyclists can be designed which will be of benefit to the legs without detriment to the head. It has also been shown that the United Kingdom draft specification on leg protection can be successfully applied to a large tourina machine. This report describes the application of leg protection to a sports motorcycle Kawasaki GPZ 500S. Also described is a dummy leg fitted with bakelite to represent the upper and lower leg bones.

The impact configurations (similar to those used in previous research), equipment and test procedures are described. The purpose of the test series was twofold. First, to show the effect of leg protection, designed and tested to the U.K draft specification, on the potential leg and head injuries when fitted to a sports motorcycle. The second purpose was to compare the performance of the T.R.R.L injury indicating leg, which is not frangible, with one that is, and to determine whether or not the T.R.R.L leg is an appropriate device with which to assess potential leg injuries and dummy trajectory in motorcycle impact testing.