Airbags in the L.B.C.
An airbag on a motorcycle? Isn't that like a screen door on a submarine?
I have seen the future, and it's scary as hell. Just back from the 2005 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California — home of Snoop Doggy Dogg and Jesse James, and I guess Sandra Bullock, too.
Long-rumored and long in development, Honda's Goldwing will be available with an airbag this summer. A prototype was on display at the show with the airbag deployed. Granted, the Goldwing has an 1832 cc engine and more features than some automobiles, but an airbag? Sounds ridiculous, but when you give it some more thought — why not? The Honda airbag deploys from atop the gas tank, just below the handle bars and instrument panel. It's not going to do much good in a side collision, nor will it help in a low-side slide.
According to the Hurt Report, a major study of motorcycle accidents, the most frequent configuration of motorcycle vs. car collisions is when a left-turning car turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclist. If there's no time for an evasive maneuver, the only choice is to brake as hard as possible without locking up, and hope that the bike stops before contacting the car. With an airbag and braking, a head on collision into the side of a turning car might be more survivable.
The only challenge is that Honda may be letting the safety genie out of the bottle. How long until airbags are required equipment on all street bikes? Guys who hate wearing helmets will really hate riding behind airbags.
Okay, back to four-wheeled transportation after the weekend. Unless I decide to write about the new Ducati…
Comments
Leave a Reply