The Goldwing may not be a motorcycle that appeals to everyone, but for Honda, its importance extends beyond just Goldwing owners. As a high-end image for the Japanese manufacturer, it has long been the demonstrator of next-generation technology and is packed with every conceivable luxury product that could then be adapted to the brand's other models.
And yet, in 2021, with radar-assisted cruise control and safety systems already announced on the Ducati Multistrada V4 and 1250 BMW R2021RT, Honda seems to be lagging behind in this key area of safety.
Not so much, actually, because this new patent application shows that a radar-assisted cruise control system is already in development for the Goldwing.
This patent is very specifically focused on the integration of radar on the Goldwing rather than the radar technology itself. Also, it seems that Honda is very interested in it.
Radar-assisted cruise control is already a classic in automobiles, and moreover, Honda was one of the key players in this technology in automobiles. In 2021, the technology finally joins production motorcycles, initially at BMW and Ducati, but it is a safe bet that other manufacturers, notably KTM and Kawasaki, will soon join the battle, all using the same radar system developed by Bosch and integrated into their own system. Honda actually has a deal with Bosch for radars for some of its cars, and so could end up using the same components in the Goldwing.
But then why file a patent if the system already exists from a supplier? In fact, it seems to solve a problem that creates insomnia for many designers: gracefully integrating the radar.
While cars equipped with this type of system usually have the radars hidden behind flat sections of their bumpers, all motorcycles equipped with radars have this unsightly device heavily exposed - suggesting they had difficulty finding solutions to the problem. Problem solved by Honda. While radar can "see" through some materials, including plastic, the surface must be relatively smooth and flat to ensure it does not interrupt the waves. Luckily for Honda, the section between the Goldwing's headlights is already quite flat and uncluttered, and the idea is to position the radar just behind that gap.
Honda's patent also suggests that the space between the radar sensor and the bodywork will be filled with a sponge-like material to prevent transmitting vibrations from the fairing to the sensor itself.
How soon will we see a Goldwing equipped with radar adaptive cruise control? If Honda follows its rivals and uses the Bosch-made system, it shouldn't take long for development to be completed, making 2022 a credible launch date for a motorcycle equipped with this system.
