Honda has patented a new type of airbag system for motorcycles. This airbag system inflates rapidly in a crash or rollover situation, enveloping the rider’s torso in a big hug, keeping him away from the bike and protecting him.
This patent was unearthed by our old friend and former colleague Ben Purvis. He currently contributes to Cycle World. Ben has always had a keen eye for patent filings and a serious kung fu, especially when it comes to the arcane process of finding something interesting.
Honda has been working on motorcycle airbag systems for decades. In his 2005, the company introduced the first bike-mounted airbag built into his Goldwing Touring sofa. However, this idea is not very popular. The 2023 Goldwing is the only motorcycle you can buy with airbags built in.
The market seems to be shifting to riding gear with airbags. I’ve been walking around with the AI-controlled In&Motion airbag system on my Klim vest under my jacket for the last few years, but sadly perhaps I haven’t had a chance to get it to work yet. also incorporates the airbag protection used by MotoGP riders. Also, in some ways, this gear can be more effective as it completely encloses the rider’s torso and legs.
Ultimately, however, all of this requires active choices on the part of the rider. Honda still sees promise in the idea of a bike-mounted system that works no matter what you’re wearing that day, and its engineers seem to keep filing patents for new ways to get the job done. is.
The latest, as Ben reports, is a bike-mounted system intended to work more or less like a jacket-mounted system. is designed to hug and cling to the rider’s torso like the fastest hugs in the world. During the firing process, it recognizes that it is fully inflated and cuts off the gas supply to seal the airbag. It then completely disconnects from the bike and clings to the rider.
While Goldwing airbags fire more or less from the dash, this removable airbag must fire from below, so it can come under the arm of the rider holding the handlebars. So according to Ben, the patent covers two potential locations for the system: one in front of the rider’s seat and one just behind it.
If you’ve never seen an airbag in action, it might be worth watching this live on-stage demo of the Goldwing airbag in about 50 seconds. It inflates completely in the blink of an eye and makes a loud noise. Sitting on that bike for the demo is the Brave.
The idea of something exploding from the front of the rider’s seat is frankly pretty scary. I know what I put in front of the rider’s seat. And the idea of things exploding under or in it doesn’t fill me with glee. A motorcyclist’s butt comes in many shapes and sizes, some of which are extreme. Also, instant he’s a moment already unseen, people lining up to sit on yoga balls that could be lifted. Quite stressful.
Mind you, Honda’s patent drawings appear to solve this problem by showing it fits seats with large steps.
Another thing to consider here is the passenger. We may not always have a pillion in the backseat, but we rather like it when we have one in the backseat and tend to wrap our arms around the same spot as the airbag system. I have. I hope it explodes. Will the system be disabled if a passenger is on board, or will the airbag deploy and force the person behind the rider to eject? If so, will the passenger request too many toilet breaks? If so, can such a system be easily activated with a thumb switch?
As such, it remains a mystery until Honda decides to try these devices on real bikes instead of patent drawings. . Motorcycles are great fun to ride, economical and practical, but crashes can be terrifying. Hats off to Honda for continuing to seek solutions, especially solutions that are hidden until needed and do not ask riders to change their behavior.
Source: Cycle World
