The game is changing in motorcycle safety technology. Radar systems providing collision alerts and adaptive cruise control aren’t just for cars anymore. They have arrived for two-wheel rides and are appearing with increasing regularity.
For motorcycle and powersports dealers, this shift offers more than a specs upgrade. It brings a new selling point and a safer riding experience. With the number of OEMs offering motorcycle rider assistance systems rising, safety conversations have become more relevant than ever.
Given that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it’s a perfect time to highlight technology that now plays a key role in helping riders stay safe. A few OEMs have now added these features to their latest two-wheel models, and these enhanced features have never mattered more.
Radar Systems and Motorcycle Rider Assistance
Just as the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in cars rely on radar, it now plays a role in motorcycle safety too. Though they all use different names, Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), Kawasaki and BMW utilize radar-based rider-assistance systems in several motorcycles. These systems already show strong performance.
At PFF, Chief Technology Officer Jean-Claude Coutant highlights how the PFF Rider Assistance Solution includes forward collision, following cruise control, lane change and blind spot systems. These systems can operate in different riding environments.
“Radar is immune to weather — fog, rain, darkness, sun. It works in any condition,” he says. “Our radar leverages a 4D radar-on-chip combined with dedicated algorithms to deliver exceptional performance.”
BMW Motorrad USA Product and Accessories Manager Shawn McLean notes BMW’s similar technology. “Riding Assistant — as we know it today — is the combination of active cruise control, forward collision warning and lane change warning,” McLean says.
Kawasaki uses radar in its Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) in similar ways. It shares many features with the PFF and BMW systems.
“Radar sensors on the motorcycle add reassurance, almost like having another set of eyes to scan your riding area for vehicles approaching on or alongside, giving you alerts to ride with caution,” says Kawasaki Media Relations Supervisor Brad Puetz.
The assistance systems from PFF, BMW and Kawasaki all operate similarly, though there are a few key differences.
Forward Collision Warning Systems
For the PFF and Kawasaki forward collision warning systems, radar on the front of a motorcycle or scooter detects vehicles ahead of it. They each use a light — either on a mirror or TFT display — to warn the rider to brake if he or she is approaching another vehicle too quickly. However, the systems do not apply the brakes themselves.
Forward collision warning in BMW’s Riding Assistant is a bit different, as it works in tandem with anti-lock brakes. It has the ability to apply brakes in certain riding modes on the R 1300 GS and GS Adventure.
Lane Change Warning Systems
Lane change warning systems, also known as blind spot detection, are also on PFF, BMW and Kawasaki safety technology. Radar on the rear of a motorcycle or scooter alerts riders of oncoming vehicles in adjacent lanes and warns them not to make a lane change as these vehicles close in.
If a vehicle is detected, a warning light is illuminated in a mirror corresponding to the lane of the approaching vehicle. The warning light will even flash if the rider is changing lanes and the radar detects an approaching vehicle.
Cruise Control
PFF, BMW and Kawasaki all feature advanced cruise control systems. These systems use radar to automatically adjust a motorcycle or scooter’s speed to keep a certain distance away from a vehicle ahead of it, helping prevent collisions.
Both BMW and Kawasaki cruise control systems are adjustable; each system can be set to a distance tolerance per the rider’s preference.
PFF’s following cruise control technology for its motorcycles and scooters automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from traffic ahead. Coutant says this enhances rider safety and reducing the risk of rear-end collisions in everyday riding conditions.
More Features
Additionally, Kawasaki has vehicle hold assist as a safety feature to reduce long-stop fatigue. “Vehicle hold assist firmly applies the rear brake while the motorcycle is stopped and disengages when the throttle is applied,” educates Puetz. “[It makes] your ride less strenuous over time, giving your hand time to relax and giving an overall more relaxed riding experience.”
BMW also offers hill start control to aid a rider during an extended inclined stop. Furthermore, BMW bikes with the automated shift assist system — essentially an automatic transmission — make pulling away on an incline while engaging hill start control an easy process since the internal system manages the clutch engagement.
The PFF Rider Assistance Solution currently enhances the Piaggio MP3 scooter and Moto Guzzi Stelvio adventure bike. BMW now offers its Riding Assistant technology on the R 1300 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure and R 1300 R models. The Ninja H2 SX includes Kawasaki’s ARAS system.
At the end of the day, riders now want more than power or speed. They invest in smart riding experiences.
Enhancing Safety Without Interfering
Some riders worry about losing their sense of control to new systems. Manufacturers understand that concern, which is why PFF, BMW and Kawasaki design their systems to be adjustable and subtle.
“Typically, the sensitivity of when the warnings are given can be adjusted, and the level of warning to the rider can also be tweaked,” McLean adds.
BMW’s safety systems adjust to rider behavior. “Although the front collision warning can be adjusted to ‘Early,’ ‘Medium’ or ‘Late,’ the level of sensitivity is further tweaked according to the rider’s attentiveness,” McLean explains. “If a high number of menu operations are detected, the system assumes distraction and warns [riders] earlier.”
Kawasaki allows riders to switch each safety feature on or off. “There may be times a rider wants the added reassurance or relaxed riding experience, so they can turn the systems on. However, if the rider wants a greater sense of freedom in certain situations or on certain rides, they can individually turn the systems off,” Puetz says.
For PFF, the radar’s main purpose is to inform riders, not override them. “Our module does not engage the brakes,” Coutant emphasizes. “We are capable of telling you if you are going to have a collision based on distance, velocity and trajectory of the bike to deliver timely warnings.”
He adds, “For example, in the following cruise control, if you are in sixth gear and we know the type of engine, we know how fast the bike can slow down depending on the speed you are going; we have intelligence in our radar that allows it to make an appropriate decision, so that regardless of your style of riding, we will be able to predict if you are going to get into a collision and alert you.”
Today’s safety systems support riders without limiting them. These tools aim to enhance motorcycle safety through assistance, not automation.
Premium Today, Standard Tomorrow
Currently, PFF, BMW and Kawasaki mainly use radar and motorcycle rider assistance on their top-tier models. They all plan to expand these safety features across more lines.
“Maybe we don’t have it fully deployed everywhere today, but we hope that at some point, safety critical systems get implemented more in the motorbike industry,” Coutant says. “We are pushing more and more to get this capability in more and more bikes. We are confident that our technology will play a pivotal role in preventing accidents and ultimately saving lives.”
BMW also expects widespread adoption. “By the time this gets to your audience, we will have introduced two other models that also have the Riding Assistant features,” McLean says. “I fully expect these, and other similar features, to continue to expand into our product range.” (Those new models are the 2026 R 1300 RS and R 1300 RT.)
Some features, such as adaptive lighting that adjusts the projection of low beam lights on some BMW motorcycles, face regulatory delays in the U.S. BMW continues working with the Motorcycle Industry Council to overcome these obstacles.
“Understandably, you need to provide hard data to support your case that a new feature you want to bring to the market will actually improve safety,” McLean says.
Kawasaki introduced ARAS on its Ninja H2 SX for a reason. “[The Ninja H2 SX] was chosen because it’s our most advanced sport-tourer ever,” says Puetz. “[It has] the highest standards of technology, performance and riding comfort.”
The Evolution of Motorcycle Rider Assistance
The motorcycle industry has trailed the auto world in adopting safety tech. But it is catching up.
“Twenty years ago, none of this technology existed in cars,” Coutant recalls. “Today, it’s indispensable — there’s no going back. I believe riders will feel the same way.”
“Customers are seeing the value in the technology,” McLean mentions. “It doesn’t seem like riding a motorcycle with today’s distracted drivers is getting safer, so any additional technologies that bring another layer of safety is always welcome.”
Dealers should view this shift in motorcycle rider assistance as a major opportunity. They need to understand these systems now, and as adoption grows, explaining safety features will matter more and more. As a result, they can offer more than performance or price. They can promote peace of mind, advanced design and smarter rides. In the midst of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, now is the right time to lead this discussion with customers.
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