[weikosteve]

I own one and the only drawback that I observed from as airbag model is it is harder to service. An example of this is the location of the connector for the heated grips. On the airbag model the connector is in back of the right radiator and you have to remove the right radiator to access this connector. It is a little harder to remove the airbags air filter and you sacrifice the right pocket for storage. The advantage is that I read about two bags being deployed in serious accidents and one definitely saved the individuals life. So I think it is a toss up. What I gave up in storage space and serviceability I make up in the knowledge that my chances of surviving a frontal crash are much better than with out the airbag. Also with the air bag model you have to be very careful how and where in install auxiliary devices on your handle bars and a tank bag is a no no.

As far as one deploying when it should not, it is almost impossible. I have hit bad road bumps, holes and railroad tracks while going over 85 and I one hit some speed bumps when I was doing fifty. Also around two years ago I drove off the side of a mountain road (long story) down the swale of the road for about 100 yards and the airbag did not deploy. (Ask slow Joe and preacher man) they were both there.

 

[Biker John]

Air Bags were available in 2006

I bought my bike in April of 06, and the Air Bag models were in the showroom right next to the one I bought.

 

[gl1800honda]

i got a late 08 bagger, best 1800 ive had yet, ps i also have rotor covers and fender extender on it and garmin sat on the bars as well, we have some huge potholes over here and had no probs at all. also mates have baggers with wavey discs,covers,extenders,superbrace:doorag:

 

[LDimick]

They started out slow but there is lots of folks out there with the airbag. I have the 07 airbag.

Me too!

 

[Geeze]

If we could buy new cars without airbags for $1,000.00 less I wonder how many would opt for the non airbag model? :roll:

 

[ihringert]

Does anyone get a discount on their insurance for having an airbag on their GW? I asked my agent and Farmers does not offer a discount. He was shocked to find out it even had an airbag.

 

[LordZarkon]

I guess I'm the only one that would be constantly worrying about the airbag exploding while riding? Also the way the antilock brakes work on my 1997 Ford all they do is release the brakes when the antilock kicks in. So I'm going 50mph, have to make a quick stop, jam on the brakes, the antilock kicks in and I'm still going 49.99mph. Works better on the 4 wheel ABS on a new Jeep, but still the same basic idea. What if the antilock senses the wheel is locked when it's in fact not by a malfunction? does it just assume the wheel is locked and kick in disabling the brakes? A rude awakening on either of these "safety items" could kill you.

dont know why you keep comparing ABS from a 10 year old ford to
a brand new motorcycle... they dont really have much in common..
there is no lettin go of the brakes when ABS kicks in... it just pumps
the brakes faster than you can... and on the wing.... it works REALLY
GOOD,,,, i have first hand experience... and im still here because of it..

and as for ABS or the air bag... there has never been any occasion where
either of these items has ever activated when it shouldnt .....

these safety items wont kill you... they can save your butt

 

[Fluke189]

dont know why you keep comparing ABS from a 10 year old ford to
a brand new motorcycle... they dont really have much in common..
there is no lettin go of the brakes when ABS kicks in... it just pumps
the brakes faster than you can... and on the wing.... it works REALLY
GOOD,,,, i have first hand experience... and im still here because of it..

and as for ABS or the air bag... there has never been any occasion where
either of these items has ever activated when it shouldnt .....

these safety items wont kill you... they can save your butt

That's good to hear however even on the new 2008 Jeep I'd much prefer to not have the antilock brakes because the same thing happens really as on the old ford. Much better I'll admit and something I can live with, but if I had my preference they wouldn't be there. I never even mentioned the 2008 Jeep before because it's my wife's and I seldom drive it, but she complains about those antilocks just like I do in my Ford. If the goldwing works though that's great and I'll try to not bring my prior and current 4 wheelers into the conversation.

 

[Berserker]

You may be mistaken about an 06 airbag model.

They were first introduced in 07. I bought mine in October of 06 just 2 weeks after the announcement.

Really? I'll have to figure out what's under the cover marked "Airbag" on my 2006.:shrug:

 

[aht_six]

... Also the way the antilock brakes work on my 1997 Ford all they do is release the brakes when the anti lock kicks in. So I'm going 50mph, have to make a quick stop, jam on the brakes, the anti lock kicks in and I'm still going 49.99mph....

That is not how antilock brakes work. I too have an old Ford with rear antilock brakes, I bought it new 1998.

80% of your stopping power is the front wheels; the rear wheel antilock kicking in has no discernable affect in a panic stop. If you "jam on the brakes" and don’t slow down, you have a big problem with your brakes, and it has nothing to do the rear antilock system.

 

[Guest]

I think one of the "problems" with antilock brakes is that most people don't fully understand how to use them...

Remember, antilock brakes are controlled by a computer. Pressing the brake pedal is how you tell that computer what you want it to do.

For Antilock brakes to be most effective, you have to push that pedal as hard as you can and keep it pressed until you are stopped. Where the "problems" with ABS start is when people feel that pedal pressure let off a bit (as the computer takes over), and they let off on the pedal, thinking that the brakes are not working. When you let off on that pedal, even a little bit, you are telling the computer that you no longer want to stop.

It's all about proper training. I learned all this at a defensive driving school. We drove cars that had ABS that could be disabled by a switch. Even after we were taught how to properly brake without ABS, the ABS stops were ALWAYS shorter.

I've tested the ABS on the wing with this method and I can tell you, the ABS wing will stop on less than a dime.

 

[retraite]

Another one with the airbag. Wanted it from the get go + all the other options on that model. Safety had the highest priority for me when purchasing. Hopefully I won't ever find out if the airbag actually deploys.

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Wallbanger]

If all ya do is worry about getting hurt on a motorcycle,,, get off !!!!!!!
Crap.....
Too much wind---its a motorcycle
Get wet when it rains---its a motorcycle
It falls over when I dismount---its got two damn wheels

When did the concept of a motorcycle ride change?

I am more afraid of the government than my bikes... How bout a air bag for this run-a-way security scam that eating our Freedom from under our feet....... Sorry---I shut up.....