Garmin's zūmo R1 Radar plug-and-play safety kit gives you eyes in the back of your head

Have you ever been caught out by a car lurking in your blind spot? If so, the navigation experts at Garmin may have just the ticket with the introduction of a new universal-fit radar-based hazard warning system, said to fit almost any bike. 

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After being introduced in the automotive sector by Volvo over two decades ago, blind spot monitoring eventually made the jump to the two-wheeled world back in 2015 with the advent of BMW’s Side View Assist. 

From then, similar systems have become standard fare on flagship models across the board, appearing on adventure bikes, tourers and even scooters. Now, Garmin are offering their own take on the technology with their zūmo R1 Radar kit, priced at £519.99.

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The plug-and-play accessory can be fitted with minimal fuss to most motorcycles operating on a 12V system, Garmin say, either by connected directly to the battery or by splicing into an ignition live. 

Although the IP67 water and dustproof hardware takes power directly from the motorcycle, once voltage drops below that of a charging level, the system shuts off to prevent parasitic drainage. 

At the heart of the system is a rear-mounted radar detector that identifies hazards within a 60-metre range and across a 170-degree field of view.  

This information is then conveyed to the rider through a pair of light modules mounted on the handlebars.  

When a vehicle is detected behind the bike, red LEDs flash before proceeding to stay lit for however long the hazard stays in range, and if the vehicle moves alongside, the lights turn orange to warn the rider that it may not be safe to change lanes. 

To boost visibility to other road users, a supplementary rear-mounted light cluster mirrors these signals, alerting drivers that the motorcyclist may not be able to see them, encouraging extra caution. 

Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales said: “As all riders know, situational awareness is paramount when sharing the road.  

“Information about the location of approaching vehicles, especially those that may be in your blind spot, can allow you to ride with more confidence and the high-visibility external lights can help other drivers be more aware of you as well.” 

For those wanting a more detailed overview of their surroundings, Garmin’s zūmo XT2 navigator sat nav can integrate wirelessly with the system to provide a bird’s-eye view of traffic in the detection zone. 

Not only that, but it also allows users to adjust the radar’s sensitivity settings through the sat-nav’s interface. The same can be achieved using a smartphone equipped with the free-to-download zūmo Radar App, too. 

Once paired, phone users get the same full-screen display of the dangers hiding beyond the periphery of their view as sat nav users – negating the need to splash out on an extra device if one is not already owned. 

That’s not where its perks end, however, because as well as offering extra visual cues, the app unlocks the ability to connect to compatible intercom units, delivering audio proximity feedback directly to the rider without so much as the need to glance down at a screen.