Garmin Drops a Motorcycle Radar System With Blind-Spot Monitoring, and a Rear Camera

Hey all - members may start seeing more threads like this popping up in the general forums. This is actually a bit of background function that digs up interesting motorcycle related content from various places and makes posts on the topic.

We're going to start moving more of these out into the forums to strike up some new topics of discussion.

They all link to an article so you have to click-through to read the actual story, but perhaps I'll post a quick synopsis of the article along with the first reply and then we can discuss.

Let us know your thoughts.

Anyhow, the article synopsis:

Garmin has introduced the zūmo™ R1 Radar, a radar system designed to enhance motorcycle safety by providing rearview and blind spot monitoring.

The system discreetly mounts above or below the license plate and features side-facing amber lights and an optional rear-facing red light to increase rider visibility. Handlebar indicator lights alert riders to approaching vehicles, and when paired with the zūmo™ Radar mobile app or a zūmo® XT2 motorcycle navigator, it offers full-screen radar displays and audio alerts. The zūmo R1 Radar is available for $599.99.

 
Seems like many motorcycle owners are always trying to hide the stock mirrors or tuck them out of sight - with aftermarket bar end mirrors, blade-style mirrors, etc.

I wonder if a rear-camera system pushing a feed onto the bike's TFT screen will be the way of the future? Kinda like Tesla's digital rear view mirror.

And where are we at with that Iron Man HUD-style motorcycle helmet?
 
Lightcycle said:
Seems like many motorcycle owners are always trying to hide the stock mirrors or tuck them out of sight - with aftermarket bar end mirrors, blade-style mirrors, etc.

I wonder if a rear-camera system pushing a feed onto the bike's TFT screen will be the way of the future? Kinda like Tesla's digital rear view mirror.

And where are we at with that Iron Man HUD-style motorcycle helmet?
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Our van has a digital rear view mirror it is pretty awesome to be able to see the whole road behind you. Very strange when you keep trying to look at the rear seat passengers


Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 
Lightcycle said:
I wonder if a rear-camera system pushing a feed onto the bike's TFT screen will be the way of the future? Kinda like Tesla's digital rear view mirror.

And where are we at with that Iron Man HUD-style motorcycle helmet?
Click to expand...

Both of these things would be amazing.
The mirrors on my Supersport are pointless...... unless you are looking for unrecognizable blurry stuff.
People don't believe it until they ride my bike. It's so bad it's actually funny.
 
I have the old fashioned hunks of metal called mirror extenders. I can see what’s behind me fine, except when they come loose. I wonder how theft proof the thing will be. $600 is too much.
 
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You know, one of the many things I like about riding motorcycles is the greatly enhanced visibility compared to driving a car. Maybe I'm taking my functioning neck for granted, but I can't imagine how this system will enhance situational awareness instead of hindering it.
 
TwistedKestrel said:
You know, one of the many things I like about riding motorcycles is the greatly enhanced visibility compared to driving a car. Maybe I'm taking my functioning neck for granted, but I can't imagine how this system will enhance situational awareness instead of hindering it.
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I agree with you 100%.

However, like previous discussions on ABS, a lot of people will argue that this is a safety net technology and not a replacement for technique.

"Ya ya, you do over-the-shoulder blind-spot checks all the time. But this radar technology will save you the ONE time that you forget, or if a car moves into your blindspot AFTER you finish doing a check and begin to move over!"

It's rare for a rider who has never owned a motorcycle without ABS to go out of their way to disable the ABS on their bike and learn how to threshold brake in a parking lot.

I also think it will be rare for a rider who has never owned a motorcycle without radar blind-spot checking to develop shoulder-checking habits if the computer is ALWAYS doing it for them.

I don't think safety net technology is a bad thing for saving lives.

However, safety net technology breeds laziness. And if there is ever a malfunction in that safety net technology, or an edge case where the tech doesn't cut in as intended, then I believe, the rider is worse off for it.
 
Soulcatcher668 said:
The mirrors on my Supersport are pointless...... unless you are looking for unrecognizable blurry stuff.
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My old supersport had a great view of my elbows.

If I wanted to see what was behind me, I'd have to lift my elbows up and out of the way.

Looked like I was doing the chicken dance every time I changed lanes...
 
Soulcatcher668 said:
Both of these things would be amazing.
The mirrors on my Supersport are pointless...... unless you are looking for unrecognizable blurry stuff.
People don't believe it until they ride my bike. It's so bad it's actually funny.
Click to expand...
My s1ks were the same over 8k. I'd just pull in the clutch for a second on cop watch.
 
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