Methods for predicting motorcyclist injuries by means of computer simulation have evolved since the 1970’s and are critically reviewed in the context of International Standard ISO 13232. The latter was approved in 1996 in order to establish minimum scientific requirements for motorcyclist protective device research, including calibration of simulations against laboratory and full-scale test data. Data from an example ISO-compliant simulation are presented which indicate substantial agreement between the distribution of predicted and real injuries in n=501 accidents in Los Angeles and Hannover. Other data indicate that multi-body and finite element models can produce similar buckling responses when they incorporate similar levels of detail. Key emerging technologies and issues are identified.