Do you use an airbag? D-Air, Tech Air?
Discussion
Iminquarantine said:
I’d only consider a vest, not a stand alone jacket. It is a lot more versatile.
While I agree about versatility, I wouldn’t go back to faffing with a non-integrated airbag. I tried various airbags and settled on an airbag-integrated jacket. It’s less hassle, less faff and less inconvenience. However, I have an excellent four-season jacket (highly versatile) and keep my clobber for years. In short, I’m much happier with my airbag-integrated jacket than faffing with a standalone airbag vest.
But if you chop and change your bike jacket frequently, I can see sense in a standalone airbag.
Salted_Peanut said:
While I agree about versatility, I wouldn’t go back to faffing with a non-integrated airbag.
I tried various airbags and settled on an airbag-integrated jacket. It’s less hassle, less faff and less inconvenience. However, I have an excellent four-season jacket (highly versatile) and keep my clobber for years. In short, I’m much happier with my airbag-integrated jacket than faffing with a standalone airbag vest.
But if you chop and change your bike jacket frequently, I can see sense in a standalone airbag.
I can't really see the faff tbh. The airbag just hangs next to my jackets and only needs charged once every 4-5 rides usually. I suppose it's one more thing to deal with at lunch stops etc, but there's already so much faffing about with helmets, gloves and all the other crap that comes with motorcycles, it's hardly noticeable. The only problem I have is I feel a bit naked when I don't wear it for whatever reason - although I have no idea how much protection it actually provides.I tried various airbags and settled on an airbag-integrated jacket. It’s less hassle, less faff and less inconvenience. However, I have an excellent four-season jacket (highly versatile) and keep my clobber for years. In short, I’m much happier with my airbag-integrated jacket than faffing with a standalone airbag vest.
But if you chop and change your bike jacket frequently, I can see sense in a standalone airbag.
Salted_Peanut said:
GreaseNipple said:
Would a tethered vest like a helite be allowed on track days?
Why wouldn't tethered airbags be welcome on a track day? Helite targets the track day market with its e-GP Air Track Vest, and I expect track day organisers would be keen for riders to use any airbag (tethered or electronic).It might be different for high-level racing, if the race regulations (e.g. MotoGP) prohibit riders being attached to the bike.
Junior Bianno said:
I can't really see the faff tbh.
I found a vest was a faff, but we're all different. Also, I like the airbag integrated into my jacket to see the battery status with a glance at my sleeve.
Junior Bianno said:
The only problem I have is I feel a bit naked when I don't wear it for whatever reason - although I have no idea how much protection it actually provides.
With the airbag integrated into my jacket, I’ve no worries about nipping out for a quick spin without wearing it. I merely sling on my jacket as usual (the airbag’s always there). YMMV.I have no clue how protective it is, but the few scientific studies on motorcycle airbags show considerable benefit up to a 30 mph impact. I guess a higher speed impact always puts you in the lap of the gods!
WarnieV6GT said:
lukeyman said:
...and I've just taken a punt on a Tech Air 5 vest via eBay.
Fingers crossed.
Tech air 5 vest is great but just make sure you have enough room in your jacket for it too go off. The extra room is also needed due to the size of the back protector Fingers crossed.
Not too much of a problem, I've got another jacket which is a size bigger still.
I've read that you need 4-5 cm of space for the airbag to inflate. But beware of going up too big a size: it will let the airbag inflate, but your armour mightn’t be held sufficiently tightly in place. In a collision, elbow protectors can move out of place if they aren’t close-fitting.
As mentioned previously in this thread my tech air 5 has already gone off - while the bike was stationary! Anyway, apart from scaring the s
t out of me, it was quite useful to see how it inflated. I was wearing my fairly close-fitted Alpinestars textile jacket and it was no problem. The power that thing goes off with is going to find space in most jackets. You wouldn't want to go too tight, but neither does it need to be baggy.
t out of me, it was quite useful to see how it inflated. I was wearing my fairly close-fitted Alpinestars textile jacket and it was no problem. The power that thing goes off with is going to find space in most jackets. You wouldn't want to go too tight, but neither does it need to be baggy.lukeyman said:
Yeah. I've tried my newest jacket over a friend's vest and there was a little room still with the jacket's back protector still in. Do you reckon taking that out will free up enough room?
Not too much of a problem, I've got another jacket which is a size bigger still.
Yeah take the back protector out, you will not need it. Not too much of a problem, I've got another jacket which is a size bigger still.
Now we have not only airbag jeans but airbag shorts, too: https://www.rideapart.com/features/564846/mocycle-...
WarnieV6GT said:
Yeah take the back protector out, you will not need it.
Disagree. I have used the D air vest for a few years now. When using it externally in the rain (likely to be unconnected) during a ride I reached my halfway destination and de kitted. When kitting up to return the air bag would not switch on / activate this was the case throughout my return journey. Fortunately, I have never been a fan of 100% trusting the kit and kept my back protector fitted which in the event of an accident that day I think would appreciate! When I returned to the dealer the diagnosis was an internal wire had become disconnected and required resoldering. 🤨Salted_Peanut said:
Now we have not only airbag jeans but airbag shorts, too: https://www.rideapart.com/features/564846/mocycle-...
There will be airbag flip-flops next!! Although, I can actually see the point of shorts if they'll fit over an existing leather suit in the same way the airbag vests do. Protection for aging hips in the event of a tarmac interface doesn't sound like a bad thing to me.
I think I'll get an airtech 10 when they come out, covers a lot of the body. I have a helite turtle for the road but think I'll get that for track https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2022/january/a...
As GreaseNipple mentioned, “the near future” is later this year: Astars is launching its Tech-Air 10, which has integrated airbag protection for the upper body and hips.
https://www.alpinestars.com/pages/tech-air-airbag-...
https://www.alpinestars.com/pages/tech-air-airbag-...
Salted_Peanut said:
As GreaseNipple mentioned, “the near future” is later this year: Astars is launching its Tech-Air 10, which has integrated airbag protection for the upper body and hips.
https://www.alpinestars.com/pages/tech-air-airbag-...
Thanks, looks good...will be interesting to see the trouser design you can wear over it. Ive seen the Alpinestars tech air compatible jackets and they have some nice options. Its easier to have a more roomy jacket or one with some expandable sections. Just wondering how that will translate to trousers without wearing some stylish baggy snow boarding pants https://www.alpinestars.com/pages/tech-air-airbag-...
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