It is very strange that some friends in this forum retaliated heated grips with their last drop of blood claiming that "it takes millions to do updates, requires trillions of dollars to test" but they don't say a word about air bags added to the bikes. Don't they require billions? Is it easier to put air bag on a bike than a heated grip???
Am I the only one here??? I want cruise control and heated grips tpms and extra ac outlets .... air bags comes the LAST! If it ever comes....
I am not against the air bags in general but motorcycles hit logs on the road sometimes and keeps riding (happened to the person who sold me his bike). Air bag goes on, you are no longer riding my friend. In a car it is not that pronounced as in a bike. Same goes with the seat belt. Just a motorcycle has a seat does not mean you can put a seat belt.
You are taking a smooth turn with 70mph you decided to slow a little and applied the brake and a decent size bird hit the bike. You are leaned 80%, brakes applied (opens the abs trigger), bird hits and you wake up with Saddam, Nixon and Marlyn Monroe. No? I saw a fireman trying to rescue a man in a crash, got close to the steering wheel and it went off for no reason. That air bag is so strong and powerful that they took the firefighter with a cradle. DO YOU GET MY DRIFT?
By all means like air bags, no problem. I believe it shouldn't be a fixed option so I can get cheaper non air bag model and spend my money on cc, tpms, heated grips and so on.
Just don't cry out loud "oooo there is no market for tourers.. that's why.." when those bikes don't sell. The reason is not the lack of market but unsatisfied riders. Give what people want with a decent price, all will be good. Or try to put a power steering on a new vfr1200f and a air bag maybe ashtrays and microwave oven. It is because people love heavy bikes, cumbersome and all. I even see some people put bricks and sand bags just to make their bike heavy. Air bags will be a help too.
Still haven't shaken yourself of the notion that the sport-touring segment is of any significance?
--Mark
BMW, Yamaha, Motoguzzi, Ducati Kawasaki, BMW (again with a second model), Triumph thinks the same as myself. Sport touring segment wants what they want. Honda is not capable to give what is needed. Some of their fans crying just because the 12 year old, non updated models are not selling. Please write to them so maybe they can shake their decision making managers.