Airbag systems on the bikes. Honda Motor Co. is the first company to develop a motorcycle airbag system, which is available on its Gold Wing line. The airbag is contained in the part of the motorcycle between the handlebars and the rider's seat. The Gold Wing's fork incorporates four crash sensors that monitor acceleration changes and a detector that calculates when a collision is occurring. Once an impact is detected, the airbag inflates of help protect the rider. The 2009 Gold Wing's price starts at just under $21,000.
Airbag systems on the driver. Divers can even strap safety devices on their backs. Silver Spring, Md.-based Impact Jackets sells a number of jackets made for riders that are airbag-system equipped. The products, which come in a variety of styles and colors, start at $395. The company also provides an inspection service for the jackets — which includes new CO2 cartridges and a repacked airbag system — for $35. "We've saved four lives in the past 12 months with this technology," says Charles Paige, president. "The need for safety is clearly on the increase."
Anti-lock brakes. The concept of anti-lock brakes on motorcycles is also catching on. Research shows that riders on motorcycles with anti-locks have a 38 percent lower risk of a fatality than those on motorcycles without anti-locks, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the nonprofit research affiliate of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The institute also found that anti-lock braking systems in motorcycles reduce the incidence of insurance claims by nearly 20 percent.
BMW, Honda and Yamaha offer models with anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. These same manufacturers, along with Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Triumph, also have models with optional anti-lock brakes.
Helmets. Headwear is also constantly improving. Some current gear uses carbon-fiber as the shell material, to provide durability without added weight. "You want a helmet as strong as it needs to be to properly disperse an impact, but lightweight," says Ty van Hooydonk, director of product communications for the Irvine, Calif.-based Motorcycle Industry Council.
Foot and hand protection. Boots and gloves are safer than ever. Alpinestars, a Torrance, Calif.-based sport apparel manufacturer, has come up with its Supertech R Racing Boot, which can be worn by both sporting and street riders. Made of protective thermoplastic, it's flexible enough to allow freedom of movement while preventing hyperextension and overrotation. The outer shell is made of full grain leather to offer impact protection. (Pricing starts at $399.) The company also makes full-grain leather gloves with carbon-plastic protection panels over the knuckles. (Starting at $179.)
