In 2005 Honda made news when they announced that the world’s first airbag for a production motorcycle would be debuting on the Goldwing. Now the Japanese manufacturer is at it again, only this time they’re working on another almost inconceivable safety mechanism – seatbelts for bikes.
According to an article published by Visordown, Honda has already filed patents for the system which goes to show how serious they are about the project. Like the motorcycle airbag, the seatbelt system is being developed for larger touring bikes like the Goldwing.
Using airbags without a seatbelt increases the risk of injury, so it is very likely that Honda is largely developing the system to maximise the safety of its motorcycle airbags.
The seatbelt system also only makes sense on motorcycles where the rider doesn’t shift around in the saddle (as you do in corners with a Fireblade), and where the greatest risk is a sudden stop through collision with another vehicle.
Of course there are times when it is better to slide safely away from the motorcycle than being strapped to the bike, and Honda knows this only too well.
According to Visordown, the new seatbelt system will be linked to a computer that will inflate an airbag backrest and release the entire seat with the rider still secured to the saddle when it senses that the bike is tipping irretrievably. In principle this will allow the rider to slide to safety in a sitting position similar to sledding.
According to an article published by Visordown, Honda has already filed patents for the system which goes to show how serious they are about the project. Like the motorcycle airbag, the seatbelt system is being developed for larger touring bikes like the Goldwing.
Using airbags without a seatbelt increases the risk of injury, so it is very likely that Honda is largely developing the system to maximise the safety of its motorcycle airbags.
The seatbelt system also only makes sense on motorcycles where the rider doesn’t shift around in the saddle (as you do in corners with a Fireblade), and where the greatest risk is a sudden stop through collision with another vehicle.
Of course there are times when it is better to slide safely away from the motorcycle than being strapped to the bike, and Honda knows this only too well.
According to Visordown, the new seatbelt system will be linked to a computer that will inflate an airbag backrest and release the entire seat with the rider still secured to the saddle when it senses that the bike is tipping irretrievably. In principle this will allow the rider to slide to safety in a sitting position similar to sledding.