Security on a motorbike is a double-edged sword. On one hand, security is paramount if you’re driving on two wheels. However however, how far are you prepared to go to safeguard your self with out interfering with the driving expertise?
Yamaha is making an attempt to reply precisely that query with its newest scooter: the 2026 Tricity 300. Granted, it’s a reverse trike, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a scooter however.
And right here’s why it’s a giant deal: scooters have traditionally lagged behind even bikes in security tech. Airbags have existed on bikes for practically twenty years now (a $30,000 Honda Goldwing that ideas the scales at over 800 kilos), however scooters? Effectively, you’re now technically wanting on the world’s first scooter with an airbag.
Yamaha
To realize this feat, Yamaha has joined forces with Swedish automotive security specialist Autoliv. The airbags are connected to the scooter’s entrance panel, and linked to 2 G-sensors which are positioned on the heart of the scooter.
The best way it really works is that these G-sensors establish any abrupt deceleration that might be an indication of a frontal collision, examine it to a predetermined worth, and transmit the knowledge to an digital management unit or ECU, which then instructs the airbag to deploy. With a purpose to decrease rider influence with the handlebars or different exhausting surfaces, the airbag inflates upward throughout a ahead crash.
The precept is straightforward: soak up the rider’s kinetic power and cease them from going over the bars. When deployed, the Autoliv airbag is rather more compact than the one Honda makes use of on the Goldwing, as a result of it takes the form of a spherical pillow quite than a segmented clamshell.
Do notice, although, that the airbag will activate solely in frontal accidents and beneath sure deceleration circumstances. Yamaha clearly states that there could also be conditions through which the airbag won’t deploy, resembling when the collision angle is off. It additionally will not activate if the scooter is hit from the aspect or again, topples over, or is pinned beneath one other automobile.
Yamaha
Autoliv revealed that the airbag has been examined for “validation in line with relevant improvement requirements, together with superior simulations and full-scale crash testing.” Daisuke Asano, Yamaha Tricity 300 mission chief, added that “the Tricity 300 is utilized by riders of many ages, together with enterprise individuals. For them in addition to for his or her households, an easy-to-understand security function like an airbag will give them peace of thoughts as properly.”
Airbag apart, the upgraded scoot additionally will get upgraded styling, most evident on the entrance finish. It’s sharper than earlier than, which provides the Tricity 300 a slimmer stance. The lights are additionally redesigned – vertically stacked triple LEDs on the entrance and a newly styled rear LED offers it a sporty look.
It continues to be powered by the identical 292cc Blue Core single-cylinder engine, which is paired to a CVT transmission. The one main change there’s the brand new muffler with an up to date catalyzer to fulfill emissions laws.
Yamaha
Being a reverse trike, it will get Leaning Multi-Wheel tech for the 2 entrance wheels. There’s additionally what Yamaha calls the Standing Help system that helps preserve the three-wheeled scooter upright if you come to a halt.
A brand new dual-display sprint combines a 2.8-inch LCD panel and a 4.2-inch shade TFT. Good factor for Garmin customers – you now get Garmin StreetCross navigation proper on the sprint by way of a linked cellphone. Smartphone connectivity, in the meantime, comes as normal that permits you to entry calls, texts, and trip information by way of Yamaha’s MyRide app.
There are many practical options right here too. A parking brake, sensible key, a USB-C port, and 1.5 cubic-feet (45 liters) of underseat storage (adequate to retailer two full-face helmets) are all normal.
Yamaha
On the tech aspect, it’s loaded with traction management and lean-sensitive ABS, which is due to the addition of an inertial measurement unit. It additionally will get Yamaha’s Unified Braking System, that you simply’d sometimes discover on Yamaha supersport bikes, which robotically balances stopping forces between the three discs when the entrance, rear, or each brakes are utilized.
Security clearly is a precedence on this scooter. And why not, when you think about most scooter riders lack expertise. Certain, you may put on airbag vests from firms like Alpinestars and Dainese, nevertheless it’s extremely unlikely that you simply’d put on them on a scooter.
So, to have tech like this built-in onto the motorbike itself is maybe the most effective it might probably get for rider security. Plus there’s the truth that trike scoots are already far safer than normal scooters. So long as tech like this encourages extra individuals to get on two wheels, or three on this case, I’m all for it.
Yamaha
The 2026 Tricity 300 airbag mannequin is priced at £8,780 within the UK (which converts to round US$ 11,770). Sadly for you scooter followers within the US, Yamaha is not bringing them stateside.
Supply: Yamaha
