Honda is showing off a shiny new Gold Wing touring motorcycle with an airbag, the first motorcycle to be so equipped.
The airbag system is placed between the motorcycle handlebars and inflates when four crash sensors detect a severe frontal collision. The system builds an instant buffer as the rider flies forward.
Honda, the worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer, predicts the airbag will reduce fatalities and serious injuries because the most serious motorcycle accidents involve frontal collisions.
Airbag-equipped Honda motorcycles could be for sale in the U.S. as soon as next spring and Honda will eventually offer the airbag option in Europe and Japan.
The 1800cc Gold Wing is Honda's largest motorcycle and carries a base price of $18,600 in the United States. Honda sold 12,000 of the bikes in North America last year, 1,600 in Europe and 270 in Japan.
Honda plans to offer the airbag on more motorcycles in future, but it acknowledged a number of hurdles.
The airbag works by absorbing energy from the forward-flying rider so the motorcycle itself needs to be heavy enough not to tip over, which could allow the rider to be thrown over the deployed airbag.
The airbag also requires space to blow up safely in front of the rider. The system cannot be mounted on a sport bike where the driver leans forward into the handle.
