Garmin is bringing its radar safety technology to motorcycles for the first time, but I’m not convinced
- Garmin’s new system for motorcycles builds on bicycle radar technology
- Audio and visual alerts are sent to headsets and navigation systems
- Handlebar-mounted lighting alerts riders to approaching vehicles
Building on Garmin’s experience with its Varia bike radar systems, the company has just unveiled similar technology that it hopes will give riders better situational awareness on the road.
Similar to the bike-based Varia system, which takes the form of a taillight that syncs with a handful of the brand’s bike computers and a smartphone app to provide notifications of vehicles approaching from behind, the zūmo R1 radar continues to one step further. with both audio and visual notifications.
Although Garmin is frustratingly short on details, it appears that the zūmo R1 radar will require hardwiring into a motorcycle’s onboard battery, with the device discreetly mounted to the top or bottom of a motorcycle’s rear license plate.
You can then run a few more wires to the handlebar-mounted lighting system, should you wish to take advantage of the visual indicators that alert you to surrounding traffic.
When a vehicle approaches quickly from behind, these LEDs glow red before turning amber on the left or right side of the steering wheel to indicate which side the car is passing on, helping drivers banish the blind spot.
Additionally, riders can also receive audio prompts through compatible helmet-mounted headsets, as well as an additional radar display that appears on the brand’s zūmo R1 Radar smartphone app or on a compatible zūmo XT2 motorcycle navigation system.
Since the waterproof and dustproof radar itself doesn’t have any display, users will have to download the smartphone app to access things like light brightness settings, and how close or far away approaching vehicles need to be before the system alerts the radar.
According to Garmin’s specifications, the radar can detect vehicles up to 60 meters away, while a rear-facing LED attached to the zūmo R1 radar unit glows orange when the system is activated, but changes hue to red as a vehicle approaches . to increase drivers’ awareness of a vehicle in front.
The system is available to buy now, priced at £519 / $599 / AU$1,099, with shipping set to begin in five to eight weeks.
Analysis: A lot of hassle and money for a little extra safety
A number of motorcycle manufacturers, including Ducati, already supply models with both Adaptive Cruise Control and a similar Blind Spot Detection system built into their vehicles.
These fit nicely with the motorcycle’s main unit and require no additional (and unsightly) cables or lights to spoil the clean aesthetic of a motorcycle.
As time goes on, it’s only natural that even more advanced safety technology, much of which will be borrowed from the four-wheel world, will make its way into the more expensive motorcycle models on sale.
Garmin’s retrofit radar system works well on bicycles, which usually don’t have mirrors and travel much slower than motorcycles, making rapidly approaching traffic from behind something to pay close attention to.
But this extra kit feels like a lot of effort, effort and money for something that can just as easily be achieved with an old-fashioned transom and shoulder check – something motorcycle instructors drill you into as you navigate the learning stages.
Furthermore, previous experience with Garmin’s Varia system on a road bike showed that it worked great on quiet country roads, where traffic is generally much less busy, but remained quite loose in busy cities like London or New York.
While we haven’t tested it yet, it’s likely to be a similar story with the zūmo R1 radar, and given that motorcycles do well around town, the system could end up being more of a nuisance than a helping hand.
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