[sportrider - sport bikes] - 2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|Air First Look

[Ninjette Newsbot]

As announced two weeks ago, Ducati has now released more information on its new Multistrada D|Air model, which wirelessly connects to Ducati Apparel airbag jackets manufactured by Dainese and marks a world's first in the motorcycle industry.

The system uses sensors incorporated into the Multistrada 1200 S Touring model's electronics to analyze dynamic conditions, and deploys the rider's and passenger's airbags when an accident scenario is detected; just 45 milliseconds is required for the data analysis and airbag deployment. The additional electronics include a triple-axis accelerometer mounted to each fork bottom on the bike's front suspension, and an additional two triple-axis accelerometers in the D|Air ECU under the bike's seat. Additional indicators on the Multistrada's dashboard show the system's status.

Inside the D|Air Street jacket by Dainese are two airbags that are inflated by dual canisters integrated into the jacket's lining and assume a pre-formed shaped intended to wrap around the rider's body. In addition to the airbag technology, the jacket features shoulder and elbow protectors, a Wave back protector, a detachable thermal lining and a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane.

Other features of the new model include Ducati's semi-active Skyhook suspension system, traction control, the second-generation Testastretta 11° DS engine and ABS integrated into the riding modes. Side luggage, heated grips and a centerstand are standard equipment. The new model is offered in Ducati Red, and will be in European dealerships in May.


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Ducati's press material for the 2015 Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|Air model follows:

Ducati introduces the Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|air model, featuring an integrated, intelligent safety system wirelessly connected to Ducati Apparel D|air® airbag jackets by Dainese. Marking a "world's first" in the motorcycle industry and combining the innovative designs from two famous Italian brands, the new Ducati model takes a significant step forward in two-wheel safety.




The cooperation of expertise between Ducati and Dainese has produced an intelligent system that uses sensors built into the Multistrada 1200 S Touring's electronics to constantly understand the vehicle's dynamic situation, deploying only when subjected to a genuine accident scenario. The Multistrada D|air® system completes the data analysis and airbag deployment inside both the rider and passenger jackets in just 45 milliseconds, considerably reducing the risk of injury upon impact.

The Ducati D|air® is the first production motorcycle with an integrated jacket airbag system to complete the necessary tests for certification by Germany's rigorous TÜV SÜD, the association responsible for defining the standards for wearable airbags. Ducati's premiere of the technology, developed with Dainese, further underlines the Italian motorcycle manufacturer's commitment to enhanced safety, already represented by their Ducati Safety Pack consisting of multi-level ABS, traction control and power-controlling Ride-by-Wire.

The Ducati Multistrada D|air®, which is also equipped with Ducati's semi-active Skyhook suspension, will be available in European Ducati Dealerships from May 2014 onwards along with the D|air® Street jackets.




Multistrada D|air® Street technology
Now common place in the automotive world, the airbag remains the most effective passive safety system. A really effective motorcycle airbag for street use, however, must have a deployment time of less than 80 milliseconds in order to provide adequate protection to the rider against the impact of another vehicle. Until now, this system simply did not exist.

Ducati's Multistrada D|air® system is designed to deploy in just 45 milliseconds, protecting the rider and passenger's body exposed to impact by absorbing the forces with an airbag expertly built into the jacket by Dainese. The airbag system is capable of split-second inflation without hindering the rider and intelligent enough to understand the difference between a potentially dangerous accident and a low-speed incident, or the motorcycle simply falling over.

This intelligence comes from a sophisticated algorithm, which manages data delivered from two triple-axis accelerometers fixed to the left and right fork bottoms of the Multistrada's front suspension and an additional two rear triple-axis accelerometers mounted in the D|air® Electronic Control Unit (ECU) positioned under the seat. When the sensors detect a potentially dangerous crash scenario, an algorithm is triggered which takes just 25 milliseconds to decide if airbag deployment is necessary or not. If deployment is necessary the D|air® ECU onboard the Multistrada, which is continuously in bi-directional radio contact between the system and the Dainese jackets, initiates and completes airbag inflation in just 20 milliseconds, a total of 45 milliseconds from the start of impact.

The system adds just 1kg to the Multistrada and the only visual difference to the model is the addition of an extra LED display on the main instrumentation that constantly provides the system.s active status. The horizontal display is divided into three sections with illuminated displays from left to right for “Rider”, “D|air” and “Passenger”. Designed to provide reassurance to the user, both the green-coloured Rider and Passenger sections illuminate constantly to confirm that the rider's and passenger's airbag jacket is connected (paired) with the D|air® system and ready for use. The system is programmed to warn the user of a jacket system error by flashing slowly and will flash faster if the jacket has failed to connect to the system after 30 seconds of key-on. The central yellow light remains off when the system is active and ready for use, but will illuminate constantly to warn of a low battery in the airbag jacket or a D|air® system error. The original round, dot-matrix part of the Multistrada's instrumentation is utilised to display information for rider and passenger airbag battery levels in addition to airbag jacket scheduled maintenance reminders.




Multistrada D|air® airbag deployment scenarios
The system's intelligence is able to recognise the main scenarios in which the Multistrada D|air® must deploy its airbag jackets. Those scenarios include: a) the vehicle.s frontal impact into another object, b) collision impact into the side of a vehicle side or rear impact from another vehicle and c) when control is lost and the motorcycle is sliding on its side. In this last scenario, the airbag deploys ready to provide protection against the rider or passenger sliding into an obstacle.

By recognising these scenarios, the system avoids to deploy during non-dangerous incidents, such as aggressive sport riding, losing balance while manoeuvring at low speed or the motorcycle simply falling over while parked.

Multistrada D|air® Street jacket by Dainese
The Ducati D|air® Street jacket (not included with motorcycle) is designed for long-range touring and provides maximum protection and comfort by introducing the D|air® airbag technology with GORE-TEX® membrane. In addition to the D|air® Street airbag system, which is powered-on with a slide switch built into jacket, the garment is equipped with shoulder and elbow protectors and a Wave back protector inside a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric with detachable thermal lining. The highly innovative system is designed, developed and patented by Italian manufacturer, Dainese S.p.A., a world leader in the field of protective clothing for motorcyclists.

The garment incorporates two high-pressure, three-dimensional, 12 litre structural airbags inflated by two 'cold' technology gas generators integrated into the jacket lining. The three-dimensional airbag structure provides a controlled, high-pressure expansion that assumes a pre-formed shape designed to wrap around and protect the rider's body. The jacket, which weighs just 1.5kg more than an ordinary jacket, feels exactly the same as a conventional garment, while achieving maximum impact absorption with minimum bulk.

The D|air® Street jacket reduces impact energy transmitted to the body by up to 72% compared with a back protector and up to 89% compared with a chest protector. This substantially enhances back, collarbones and chest protection in addition to limiting the "tilting" of the wearer's head in relation to the neck, by reducing excessive helmet movement while "tumbling" during an accident.

The D|air® Street jacket's integral system, which requires a maintenance check every 24 months starting from its first connection (pairing) with the Multistrada D|air®, is powered by a battery pack charged via a USB connection built into the garment, from which a 5 hour charge will guarantee 30 hours of autonomy. The D|air® jacket maintenance reminders and battery levels are clearly communicated to the rider via the Multistrada's instrumentation.


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The Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|air
The brand new D|air® system is fully integrated into the highly acclaimed Multistrada 1200 S Touring, the multi-tasking motorcycle that features confidence-inspiring electronics, including the advanced Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS).

The D|air® introduction continues the Multistrada adventure with a long list of fascinating and high- tech features that enhance the model's reputation for industry-changing innovation, including the second generation Testastretta 11° DS engine and the Bosch ABS 9ME braking system with full Riding Mode integration.

Combining ground-breaking design and unprecedented technology, the Multistrada's Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro Riding Modes enable a truly enjoyable and customisable riding experience separated by just one click. The four-bikes-in-one concept makes instant adjustment to power and torque delivery in addition to electronic adjustment of suspension settings, traction control, ABS and Ducati Skyhook Suspension, instantly transforming the Multistrada to suit its rider and environment with precision.

Hailed as a true "game-changing" motorcycle, the Multistrada 1200 S Touring has attracted all types of riders by removing the borders between motorcycle categories. With the latest 150hp Testastretta 11° DS engine, a class-leading dry weight of just 207kg* and the application of advanced ergonomics, the Multistrada is not only powerful and playful, but also a comfortable and versatile adventure on two wheels. The eight-level DTC and three-level ABS of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) is now in addition to the innovative new D|air® system, further underlining Ducati's focus on performance safety.

Dressed in Ducati red, the early entry 2015 Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|air comes fully equipped with additional side luggage, heated grips and centre stand and will be available in European Ducati dealerships from May 2014 onwards.




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