Honda studies safety airbags

Japan's Honda Motor has launched research into developing the first safety airbags that could be mounted on motorcycles.

Japan's Honda Motor has launched research into developing the first safety airbags that could be mounted on motorcycles, a report said on Wednesday.

HT Image

Japan's nation's largest motorcycle manufacturer aims to commercialise motorcycle airbags in about three years, the mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun said without citing sources.

Honda plans to develop an airbag that will fit under the handlebars and protect the driver from the head to lower back when it is opened in the event of an accident, it said.

No immediate comment was available from Honda.

Honda wants to commercialsie the product after finding ways to minimise production costs and working out the best suitable shape of the airbags, the daily said.

The newspaper said the technology had been offered before, on BMW motorcycles, but it had proved too costly at more than US$ 2,000 for most buyers.