Honda SMARTrainer targets road hazard awareness

Carla Doughty of Fort Worth takes the SMARTrainer for a spin

She eased on past a stopped delivery truck, knowing full well the potential hazard it presented, but just a short way down the street a boy came running out of a blind alley right into her path. Collision ensued.

OK, push the start button, rewind, and read what the computer screen has to tell you about the mistake you made that led to this non-tragedy. Then continue on your way.

I was watching the Honda SMARTrainer in action at the International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Keystone, CO. SMART stands for Safe Motorcycle Awareness and Recognition Trainer.

The SMARTrainer has motorcycle controls but the action is on the screen

This intriguing device is set up just like a motorcycle, with handlebars and grips, cluth and clutch lever, brake lever, foot brake, turn signals, mirrors, speedometer--the works. No, leaning doesn't do anything in this simulation.

And you don't go anywhere, all the action happens on a computer screen in front of you. Good thing, because I never saw anyone run a complete course without multiple collisions. And when I tried my hand at it I crashed, too, although I'm proud to say I avoided a couple crashes with some pretty extreme evasive maneuvers.

The SMARTrainer is not intended to teach you to ride a motorcycle. In fact, you have to (electronically) sign a waiver at the start affirming that you understand that fact. What it is intended to do is help you develop better road hazard awareness.

According to the brochure Laura Frank was handing out, "The SMARTrainer's instruction complements and reinforces the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's SEE strategy for managing risk: Search, Evaluate, Execute."

You decide whether to ride in the city, in suburbia, or touring. You also choose night or day, foggy or clear, and probably some other choices I've forgotten. Then get set for the most hazardous ride of your life. They really are out to get you.

I chose seaside and I chose night. I had had an unpleasant nighttime ride just a few days before, where visibility was a big issue, so I wanted to try that on the simulator. I managed to anticipate people walking out from between parked cars, and when other motorists did anything other than just cruise along I paid extra careful attention.

My expectations of the worst paid off several times until I came around a curve and couldn't avoid the box lying in the road. It turns out if fell of the truck that had been ahead of me and I should have been paying attention to the poorly loaded cargo.

I also got hit on a curve by a driver who crossed into my lane, and I guess I just should have been going slower so I would have had more time to react. I ended up with a C for my final score, but considering most people I watched scored D or worse I didn't feel so bad.

When you conclude your ride you can watch it again in 4X speed to see how you screwed up. It also puts up a scoresheet showing what you did right as well as wrong. Laura, who is a volunteer working for the MSF operating the machine, told me they can print the score sheet so the student will know what they need to work on.

My hints for doing well on the SMARTrainer--and on your motorcycle in real life? Always be scanning for possible hazards. Expect the worst. And then take evasive action immediately.

Gosh, I guess that's just a restatement of SEE.