Airbag system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same

A motorcycle, comprising a frame, a vehicle body operatively attached to the frame, and an airbag system, the airbag system comprising:

• an airbag module and an airbag disposed within the airbag module;
• a metal fixation plate operatively connected to the airbag module;
• a central cover panel made of resin, as an exterior component, which is arranged on a vehicle body adjacent to the airbag module;
• a pair of left and right exterior side cover panels made of resin, which are engaged with the central cover panel and situated outside of the central cover panel in a vehicle-width direction;
• a support belt for coupling the airbag to the vehicle body;
• and
• a belt cover which is operatively connected to said fixation plate via a connection member extending therebetween;
• wherein:
• a belt support member is formed by an overhanging part of the central cover panel which is overhung outside in the vehicle-width direction and an extension part of one of the side cover panels which extends inside in the vehicle-width direction,
• the overhanging part is engaged with the extension part through an engaging portion inside the belt support member, and
• a notch is provided in the extension part disposed laterally outside of the engaging portion, said notch extending substantially in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

An airbag system for a motorcycle, said airbag system comprising:

• an airbag module having an airbag disposed therein;
• a metal fixation plate operatively connected to the airbag module;
• a central cover panel made of resin, which is arranged on a body of the motorcycle external to the airbag module;
• a pair of left and right exterior side cover panels made of resin, which are engaged with the central cover panel and situated outside of the central cover panel in a motorcycle-width direction;
• a pair of support belts for coupling the airbag to the motorcycle body;
• and
• a pair of left and right belt covers which are operatively connected to said fixation plate via respective connection members extending between the fixation plate and the belt covers;
• wherein:
• belt support members are formed by an overhanging parts of the central cover panel which are respectively overhung outside in the motorcycle-width direction and extension parts of the side cover panels which extend inside the overhanging parts in the motorcycle-width direction,
• the overhanging parts being engaged with the extension parts through engaging portions inside the belt support members, and
• a notch is provided in each of the extension parts disposed laterally outside of the engaging portions, said notches extending substantially in a front-rear direction of the motorcycle body.