Kit Palmer | May 31, 2024
Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light is a wire-free, Bluetooth-free helmet-mounted brake light system for motorcycles that uses built-in sensors to recognize when you decelerate and brake. There are no wires to connect to the motorcycle.
The Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light is very bright, and improves your odds of being seen from behind.
Housed inside the Brake Free’s hard casing is a three-dimensional gyrometer and an accelerometer that work in unison to detect any changes in front-to-back movement, but primarily deceleration. When deceleration is detected, the brake lights are activated to signal that you are slowing down. The sensors can tell the difference between normal head movements and braking, so the brake light activates only when you’re slowing down via engine braking, downshifting or regular braking. The main unit uses 100 ultrabright LEDs that are designed to grab the attention of anyone driving behind you, thus reducing the chance of getting rear-ended, which contributes to approximately 7% of all motorcycle-related deaths.
The unit measures 6.5 inches wide, three inches tall, and 1.5 inches deep and weighs 7.2 ounces. Brake Free says it is 100 percent waterproof and operates off a rechargeable battery via a micro-USB port.
The Smart Brake Light is made in China but designed in California by co-founders Alex Arkhangelskiy and Henry Li. Arkhangelskiy says it will fit most helmets. The unit is available in black and white.
Lowdown | Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light
List Price: $149.95
Bright LED
Impressive technology
Good battery life
Easy to attach
Not necessarily attractive
Somewhat heavy
Pricey
Rider Analysis | Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light
Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light is supposed to catch motorists’ attention, but it also caught my attention at this year’s AIM Show. I’ve always been a little (okay, a lot) nervous about being mowed over from behind while decelerating for a stop sign/light, so anything to help reduce that chance of happening, I’m all in. Most motorcycle taillights are relatively small and, on some bikes, positioned very low, so the idea of having an extra brake light positioned high up on the back of my helmet seems like a good idea to me.
There are no wires to mess with. You just charge the batteries, attach the unit to your helmet, turn it on and go. The Brake Free brake light is smart enough to know on its own when you’re slowing down.
Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light is simple to install. Everything you need to do so comes in the box, including mounts that stick to the back of your helmets that the removable main unit snaps onto. You get two sticky mounts, which is nice if you have more than one helmet. The brake light won’t fit all helmets and it’s pretty obvious which helmets it won’t (those with sharp angular shapes). However, the company offers special mounts for odd-shaped lids, so if you think yours might be one of those, check with Brake Free Technology. Thankfully, there are no apps to download or wires to connect to your motorcycle; you simply “slap” it on the back of your helmet, press a button to turn it on, and that is pretty much it. You do have three modes to choose via a small button on top of the unit. In standard mode, all LEDs are always on and brighten as you decelerate. In mode two, the left and right LED panels pulsate for added attention. In mode three, the center, top and bottom LED panels are on as running lights.
The LED lights are impressively bright. The brake light unit is large, which is good for being seen, but not so much if you’re worried about looking cool. Also, if you’re sensitive about helmet weight, you might feel its presence. I did, but it wasn’t an issue. I did mount it to a bicycle helmet, but I felt the weight in this application was enough only to use for certain rides—in traffic.
The Brake Free brake light might not add to your helmet’s good looks but will add safety.
The batteries are rechargeable and last a long time between charges, at least 10 hours, which is plenty for an all-day ride. I never got the opportunity to use the brake light in the wet, but the unit seems well-built, and I have no reason not to believe their waterproof claim.
Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light is a great idea, and the technology is impressive. The unit is built well, and as far as operation, it does what it’s supposed to do—increase your chances of being seen. Its only real drawback is that it might take away a little bit of your fancy helmet’s “cool” look and is a little pricey. Although it won’t prevent someone who is looking down at their smartphone from squashing you from behind, it’s nice to know you’re doing everything you can to increase your odds of being seen and improve your safety, and Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light will undoubtedly do that.CN
To order or learn more about the Brake Free Technology’s Smart Brake Light, visit www.brakefreetech.com
