Do you use an airbag? D-Air, Tech Air?

[gland]

I've spent a fair bit of time reading up on airbag solutions for motorcycle jackets but I can't seem to find many real world reviews or user experiences. There was a topic on here a few years ago.

The Alpinestars Tech Air looks great: large area of coverage and fits in a few of their jackets.

The Dainese D-Air looks as if it protects a much smaller area which is disappointing, even in the street focused variant.

The Helite vests appear to have great neck protection and I'm amazed Dainese and Alpinestars haven't put more emphasis on neck protection in their airbags. Surely that's one the most vulnerable parts in any collision!? But: the Helite imo look a bit crap, and I can't see me looking forward to wearing it. I also wonder if the chord trigger method is all that useful in a collision before the rider comes away from the bike.

Do any of you have one?
When do you wear it?
Knowing what you now know, would you buy it again or go for something else?

Edited by gland on Monday 11th September 09:03

[HughiusMaximus]

I like the idea of the air bag jackets, but I think in reality its going to be a few years before it hits a price point that will appeal to the general masses.

Happy for the R&D to continue though!

[tjlazer]

The latest 2017 version of the misano jacket has more neck and chest protection. I'm planning on getting one in the next 6 months. They aren't cheap but if they give you a better chance of getting up in a spill I'm all for it. Expensive compared to helite etc but way more sophisticated, faster to deploy and race proven. I figure it is worth it in the end for peace of mind and convenience. There are a few reviews on youtube - see g-mans bike and bits review for a useful overview of how it works and what it's like in the real world.

[spareparts]

The cost of the Dainese airbag kit is cheap and well worth it. It is a lot cheaper than a broken collarbone, subacromial bursitis, acromioplasty, permanent metalwork, physio, and/or permanent physical injury.

[gland]

spareparts said:

The cost of the Dainese airbag kit is cheap and well worth it. It is a lot cheaper than a broken collarbone, subacromial bursitis, acromioplasty, permanent metalwork, physio, and/or permanent physical injury.

I absolutely agree. I've been an all-the-gear person on the snow for years for that reason: the cost of an injury (be it measured in money or time or quality of life) means safety gear is always worth it.

How long have you had yours? Do you use it just of track, or is the jacket suitable for daily road use too?

Edited by gland on Monday 11th September 13:05

[spareparts]

gland said:

spareparts said:

The cost of the Dainese airbag kit is cheap and well worth it. It is a lot cheaper than a broken collarbone, subacromial bursitis, acromioplasty, permanent metalwork, physio, and/or permanent physical injury.

I absolutely agree. I've been an all-the-gear person on the snow for years for that reason: the cost or an injury (be it measured in money or time or quality of life) means safety gear is always worth it.

How long have you had yours? Do you use it just of track, or is the jacket suitable for daily road use too?

I was contemplating getting the airbag jackets when Dainese first launched them a few years ago, but baulked at the pricing. I went with the cheaper option of 'normal' (but still top of the range) kit.

Sadly, I then learned the hard way and paid the price of not 'investing' in the airbag kit. 8 permanent screws, 10 hole Ti plate, and 2 years of rehab with perm loss of shoulder range and strength... I was at a Dainese store just yesterday to have a look at them, and will be arranging a fitting date to have the Misano kit sized up for me. I still ride on the road and can't afford another injury like this.

The airbag kit is cheap, and there is the reassurance of IINM only 1 recorded broken collarbone from the hundreds of crashes and high sides sustained in MotoGP since the airbag suits were launched.

[2wheelsjimmy]

You lot with the dainese stuff, do you have the proper jacket or the airbag vest that goes over any jacket

I looked at the helite seriously a few years back but decided it wasn't fast enough acting in the end.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Monday 11th September 12:26

[gland]

2wheelsjimmy said:

You lot with the dainese stuff, do you have the proper jacket or the airbag vest that goes over any jacket

I looked at the helite seriously a few years back but decided it wasn't fast enough acting in the end.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Monday 11th September 12:26

So far no one who actually bought one has replied yet

But I think I can answer anyway. The current Dainese are in the jackets. No vests. It looks like they promoted a vest several years ago or it was a development prototype.

[gland]

SP, one advantage of the Alpinestars version is that it has two gas cartridges installed and can do two activations before having to return to factory. This sounds very sensible for both the owner and Alpinestars: the number of services are immediately halved. I read that Dainese had struggled with sensible turn around times. Is the Dainese D-Air still fixed to the jacket or is it removable?

By the way, I have no reason to like one more than the other: I'm pretty new to bikes and went for a cheaper set of RST leathers after blowing the budget on gloves and boots that looked to give best protection plus an Arai. I couldn't believe how small the back protectors were in all the jackets (regardless of brand and CE level) so I got a stand alone protector that covers at least part of the sacrum too.

Edited by gland on Monday 11th September 13:08

[jonindorset]

I use the Helite Turtle tech vest. It was inexpensive, can be used with any jacket or road or track and appears to offer a lot of protection.

[Zebrs]

I also use a Helite turtle vest, just stick it over my leathers and tethering is second nature now. I've not yet (touch wood) had an off which has required it, and as mentioned above, there's no denying it is not as fast acting as Dainese etc. It is however substantially larger in coverage than Dainese, and covers lower back, kidneys and chest, plus inflates to the point that it nearly touches your helmet in order to reduce neck injury.

I had one set off on me at a show and it's quite an experience. I wore mine to Poole bike night a few weeks ago and you get some weird looks in my experience, but your chances of reduced injury have to be better with it on even if deployment takes a few more milliseconds than other solutions. It also has the advantage that it keeps SWMBO a little happier knowing I've got some extra layer of protection.

[spareparts]

gland said:

SP, one advantage of the Alpinestars version is that it has two gas cartridges installed and can do two activations before having to return to factory. This sounds very sensible for both the owner and Alpinestars: the number of services are immediately halved. I read that Dainese had struggled with sensible turn around times. Is the Dainese D-Air still fixed to the jacket or is it removable?

By the way, I have no reason to like one more than the other: I'm pretty new to bikes and went for a cheaper set of RST leathers after blowing the budget on gloves and boots that looked to give best protection plus an Arai. I couldn't believe how small the back protectors were in all the jackets (regardless of brand and CE level) so I got a stand alone protector that covers at least part of the sacrum too.

Edited by gland on Monday 11th September 13:08

Other than the protection features, I am a big fan of Dainese kit for the quality and comfort of materials used and their fit on me. If I am in a situation where the airbag needs to deploy for my protection, it is probably quite unlikely that I am going to be riding the next day or in a rush for my kit before it has been fully checked over and serviced by the manufacturer.

I actually would not want to depend on an airbag equipped jacket if it has already been deployed once because of a crash, and not have it properly checked over by the manufacturer to ensure the deployment mechanism and sensors etc are working correctly. It is a false economy imho and potentially a liability waiting to happen if AStars and the customer can expect safety equipment to work a second time after a significant impact has already triggered deployment once. What if it fails to deploy a second time, when needed, just because the customer expected it to work correctly after it was damaged the first time but had not been checked over?

In terms of Alpinestars kit, I am not a big fan - their materials are no where near the same quality of Dainese in my experience, and the detailing/styling is a long way behind.

[mikedxb]

Do you wear a back protector with the Helite Turtle?
I guess to do so would provide extra protection, but would be interested to know whether the collective consider that to be "over kill".

[spareparts]

mikedxb said:

Do you wear a back protector with the Helite Turtle?
I guess to do so would provide extra protection, but would be interested to know whether the collective consider that to be "over kill".

An airbag serves a wholly different purpose to a back protector.

[gland]

spareparts said:

An airbag serves a wholly different purpose to a back protector.

The Helite Turtle is back protector and an airbag combo. The inflatable part is between your back and the hard protector. Looks like a shell, hence the name. Probably very effective, but I haven't come to terms with the appearance.

[mikedxb]

From the interweb... "The Turtle (also called the Airnest) airbag vest also includes a SASTEC 1621 Level 2 back protector...". Two CE rated back protectors would seem over kill.

[abw280]

It comes with a CE level 2 back protector. Lots of options for built in jackets as well.........

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

[SVS]

spareparts said:

In terms of Alpinestars kit, I am not a big fan - their materials are no where near the same quality of Dainese in my experience

Interesting. Is that others' experience too?

[spareparts]

SVS said:

spareparts said:

In terms of Alpinestars kit, I am not a big fan - their materials are no where near the same quality of Dainese in my experience

Interesting. Is that others' experience too?

Edit>> my pre-coffee grumpy answer was unwarranted.

Edited by spareparts on Tuesday 12th September 10:01

[Rawwr]

SVS said:

spareparts said:

In terms of Alpinestars kit, I am not a big fan - their materials are no where near the same quality of Dainese in my experience

Interesting. Is that others' experience too?

The best suit I ever owned was a 2007 Alpinestars Race Replica. Made in Italy. Amazing fit, proper materials and really just perfect. I also really rate the Supertech R boots. That's it, though.

I've used Dainese pretty much exclusively for the last few years and their suits on a cost-for-cost comparison with Alpinestars, just seem to be of a higher standard with better stitching and definitely better leather. The last few Alpinestars suits I've seen and felt appear to have some awful leather that looks and feels like cardboard. That combined with the horrifically bad Alpinestars GP Pro gloves I've had means I've pretty much dumped the whole brand.