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[RedFXR2]

This is bound to generate some discussion.  Beginning in 2006, Honda will install air bags on Gold Wings.  Read about it:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/2006Hondas.asp

Think they will work?  I guess it depends on what kind of wreck the rider has--front end collision or not.

[BLM777]

Many of the Gold Wing riders I've met could really use an air bag..... [smiley=rolleyes3.gif]

[Twolanerider]

They'll work; as in inflate when you nose in to something.  But work and be generally effective.  Really don't think so.  

In an automobile an air bags effectiveness is based on the facts that it needs to be inflated within a certain area because the target mass (i.e., you and me) is coming at it only from a a limited number of vectors.  The roof of the car, that the car's rear mass doesn't raise (generally), seat belts and the shape of the seats all help control that we don't "launch" beyond the envelope from in which the air bag can usually do us some good.

On a bike that's not so.  Even in a head on you might go forward; or you might launch up and over.  And there's nearly always some amount of launch even if you're not doing a full endo.  When that happens you're going to go over the air bag and not in to it.  At least the important parts of you are.

All that only matters if you're mass if moving forward too.  Any accident where you go any direction other than up over or in to the dash won't be helped.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not dismissing the idea as never having any value.  There are accidents where riders slam forward in to tanks, dashes and windscreens.  In those a panel mounted bag could help.  But far far far more often we're an uncontrolled flying mass going some direction other than straight forward and down.

Honestly it sounds like a response to litigation or potential litigation.  One of those "the technology exists and we know about it so if we don't use it we get sued for not having done something" kind of things.

[110tHunDer]

Hey, Gold Wings are so close to being cars as it is, why not add air bags?  Sounds a bit more like a marketing gimmick to charge more for a motorcycle and make a few bucks than a safety breakthrough. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[Twolanerider]

Brian, I'm thinking what they need is an air cocoon.  A big all sided bladder that suddenly blows up and surrounds the rider completely giving him a plush warm safety bubble.  Kind of like the big bubbles the Mars rovers landed within.  Then no matter which way you fell you'd be all wrapped up all nice and comfy.  Honda could even offer options for decorating schemes inside a guys bubble.  Y'know, different colors, art on the walls, maybe pumping the stereo in there too.  It'd be so cool  [smiley=7.gif]

[110tHunDer]

You should have seen the one I saw at Springfield last Sunday.  Not far from what you're describing.  The fairings on those things are what, 5 feet wide as it is, right?  Well, this guy had another 2-3 inches of clear plexiglas defelctors running down each side of the fairing to further the wind protection and had a HUGE aftermarket windshield of some kind.  Hey, you're on a MOTORCYCLE, dude! [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

I thought about taking a picture for you guys, but didn't want to gross you out.

[Twolanerider]

Damn those Goldwings anyway.

[RedFXR2]

Honestly it sounds like a response to litigation or potential litigation.

[displacing air]

Sometimes my air bag rides with me...other times she stays at home!

[erniezap]

Put doors on it and call it a car...

[Twolanerider]

Sometimes my air bag rides with me...other times she stays at home!

uh oh......  Who here believes Mrs Displaced doesn't cruise this site ?  [smiley=laugh.gif]

[WFP]

My truck airbags say they are most effective when used with the seatbelt...is that included in the GW package?

[ridefar]

Spent seven days on the road last October riding 2-up through gorgeous Vermont and Adirondak Mountains on (no apologies) my 2003 GL1800 Gold Wing. First day home, switched to my 2004 SEEG. All I could think of was, the Harley felt like a lawn tractor compared to the Honda! But, you know, I rode the SEEG way more this year than the GL and I'm actually considering selling the Honda in order to buy a 06 SE ULTRA. Mostly so I can keep the SEEG. Man do I need help!   Doctor Twolanerider please help me!

[Twolanerider]

Ridefar my friend.  We're not sane.  Not a frigging one of us.  Amen to that too.  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[BLM777]