Because you are so much more exposed when riding a motorcycle than in a car, your risk of serious injury or death is significantly greater in the case of an accident. This makes it even more important to be safety-conscious not only while you are riding your motorcycle, but from the beginning when you are looking to buy one. Motorcycle companies have come a long way and have added safety features to their bikes that are worth considering.
Ducati Multistrada D-Air
This year, Ducati has introduced the Multistrada 1200 S Touring D-air model, which, according to their website, features an integrated, intelligent safety system of bike-mounted sensors that wirelessly connect to a Ducati Apparel D-air® airbag jacket. The airbag is designed to deploy in the case of a crash, but does not have the faulty inconsistencies of airbags that are connected with wires and that can deploy prematurely and which can actually cause injury and accidents, rather than help save riders from accident and injury. This bike is the latest in motorcycle safety technology. The Ducati Multistrada D-Air is the first of its kind to use such wireless technology, which is able to detect an accident and deploy the airbag in 45 milliseconds. Unfortunately, this model is only currently available in Europe—but will be available soon around the world and its technology is just a shadow of bigger and better advances to come.
Harley-Davidson Road King
Harely-Davidson’s Road King features Reflex Linked Brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The brakes are electronically linked together in the front and back so that the right amount of pressure will be applied evenly to both wheels to ensure safe stopping and slowing down. The new Project RUSHMORE bike has Air-Adjustable Suspension as well that allows you to increase or decrease the pressure for better comfort and security as you may encounter unexpected bumpy road conditions. The Road King also has dual halogen headlamps and fog lights, improved and brighter turn signals and brake lights, and a completely new steering head that gives you more power and control as you ride.
2014 Honda Interstate with ABS
The Road King is not the only bike with a new fancy ABS braking system. The 2014 Honda Interstate now comes with the Anti-lock Brakes as an option. According to wallstreetcheatsheet.com, “recent tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have proven that bikers with ABS on their rides were 37 percent less likely to be involved in fatal motorcycle crashes.”
Other Safety Features to Consider:
- Windscreen
- Helmet headsets—built in communication
- Airbag-laced helmets (like Thermahelm, Hövding, or APC Systems)
- Vololights (coming soon from Vectolabs—a light that automatically glows when the motorcycle slows down even when the bike is not braking, and varies its flash rate depending on how quickly the bike is slowing down.)
As technology continues to improve, riding motorcycles will become increasingly more comfortable and satisfying. But it is important to remember that these technological advances, while improving safety, will never guarantee it. Remember to continue to ride safely, cautiously, and obey the rules of the road.
Sources: Harley Davidson, WallStCheatSheet, Esurance, and Ducati