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

[Janluke]

daveyc86 said:

I'm now running the Helite Turtle-E, really like it. Comfortable and just an extra layer of safety. Wouldn't ride without one seeing the real life testimonials.

I've upgraded my older lanyard Helite Turtle to the new E and liking it so far.

I was going to put my old one on Ebay. Do we reckon there's a market for second hand vests?

[five50]

I checked out some of the inflatable overvests at my local bike store after reading this thread (Dainese and Helite) - but they’re pretty heavy.
At the moment I’m riding in Dainese goretex with back protector, elbow, shoulders and chest protectors. Everything built into the jacket. The Dainese pro armour (back and chest) is pretty light.
My inclination is the hassle vs protection benefit for my personal commute (I don’t get out of 30mph limits) are such that I’ll stick with my armour for now.

Maybe a dumb qn but how do people see the benefit of these - just for higher speed stuff and on track?

[Zarco]

fk. You're not having much luck TN.

Hope it's more damaged pride than anything else.

[Salted_Peanut]

@five50 You’re in the lap of the gods in a high-speed crash, but an airbag could make a considerable difference at 30 mph. (Regular armour is merely designed to protect against the fall from your bike to the ground, which isn’t much.)

five50 said:

My inclination is the hassle vs protection benefit for my personal commute

I recommend keeping a beady eye on eBay for Dainese’s Carve Master 2 D-Air jacket. It’s a superb and beautifully wearable jacket, with an integrated (i.e. hassle-free) airbag. Until this year, it was Dainese’s top textile jacket and retailed for around £1,300! But several reputable retailers have been selling it almost half-price via eBay to clear stock for this season’s new Stelvio D-Air jacket.

In Dainese jackets with an integrated airbag, I found the airbag’s unnoticeable. It’s a trade off: these airbag-equipped Dainese jackets (Carve Master 2 D-Air, Racing 3 D-Air, etc.) are hassle-free, but Alpinestars Tech-Air has more airbag coverage.

[five50]

Am actually wearing the non-airbag carve master 2 with armour at the moment - thx for the feedback.

Looking at Dainese’s integrated airbag designs - it’s interesting to see that the road vs track versions are quite different.

The road (looking at the D-air smart jacket LS) covers the chest and back and key internal organs, however, not much around the neck / shoulders - top 2 pics below.
Whereas the Misano 2 (integrated airbag suit - retail £2k - middle 2 pics) covers shoulders, collarbones and neck.
Dainese’s website does say that the D air race is not suitable for street riding as the nature of crashes is different between track and street.
It does seem a bit surprising that the Dainese race suits have less airbag coverage - I assume that this is informed by safety needs rather than just marketing / costs. It may be that there are other trade offs in terms of weight / fit that have an impact on a circuit / race and so they focus the airbag on the key areas.

The Dainese Mugello (top end race suit £3.4k) (bottom pics) does have some additional coverage around the lower abdominal areas vs the Misano 2.

Am back on track this yr after a gap and thinking about a Misano (so some airbag and step up in leather material vs the Laguna Seca).

Im sure I would look like all the gear no idea as I will not be in the fast group - however, always feel that whilst the cost of safety gear seems expensive upfront - if you don’t get it, lying in hospital afterwards, it would seem remarkably cheap if it could have saved you.

The guy that I spoke to in the Dainese store London seemed to think the cow hide suits (so Misano) probably better for the non-top end racer vs mugello (kangaroo I think) - just being a bit thicker and possibly harder wearing / easier to fix. Not sure if the slightly thicker leather (cow vs kangaroo) gives any more impact absorption - although appreciate it will be marginal.

Edited by five50 on Saturday 12th February 19:36

Edited by five50 on Saturday 12th February 19:38

[Salted_Peanut]

five50 said:

Am back on track this yr after a gap and thinking about a Misano (so some airbag and step up in leather material vs the Laguna Seca).

If you’re considering a Misano D-Air suit, I’d instead look to Hideout. It’s considerably higher quality than Dainese (I have used both). Dainese isn’t in Hideout’s league for abrasion resistance, hide quality and durability. And made-to-measure trumps off-the-peg for comfort!

In your boots, I’d ask Hideout ([e-mail]) for a time to pop in for a chat through potential options. Hideout’s website pics are crap, plus they don’t convey all the design options, so an appointment/visit is essential.

A made-to-measure Hideout airbag suit (Hideout uses the InMotion airbag) is similar-priced to an off-the-peg Misano. Kate, who runs Hideout, visited Dainese in Italy to discuss using the D-Air system in her race suits. But she decided it didn’t have a high enough airbag volume to meet her protection standards.

I imagine BKS Made-to-Measure’s even better still, but I’ve no personal experience of BKS. And Exmouth might be too far from you? However, blackk1 can comment on BKS.

[daveyc86]

Janluke said:

I've upgraded my older lanyard Helite Turtle to the new E and liking it so far.

I was going to put my old one on Ebay. Do we reckon there's a market for second hand vests?

I think so, as long as it hasn't seen action. I think you'd get at least 80% of what you paid for it.

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

daveyc86 said:

Janluke said:

I've upgraded my older lanyard Helite Turtle to the new E and liking it so far.

I was going to put my old one on Ebay. Do we reckon there's a market for second hand vests?

I think so, as long as it hasn't seen action. I think you'd get at least 80% of what you paid for it.

Unlikely at the moment as the old model is heavily discounted.

[Janluke]

Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

daveyc86 said:

Janluke said:

I've upgraded my older lanyard Helite Turtle to the new E and liking it so far.

I was going to put my old one on Ebay. Do we reckon there's a market for second hand vests?

I think so, as long as it hasn't seen action. I think you'd get at least 80% of what you paid for it.

Unlikely at the moment as the old model is heavily discounted.

TBH I was thinking £160, I'll stick it on FB market place in a few weeks when folk start thinking about getting the bikes out

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

Janluke said:

TBH I was thinking £160, I'll stick it on FB market place in a few weeks when folk start thinking about getting the bikes out

What size is it?

[Janluke]

XXL its a big one, I ended up going down a size for the new one

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

Janluke said:

XXL its a big one, I ended up going down a size for the new one

Ok thanks...a bit big for me.

[Nigel Worc's]

five50 said:

Maybe a dumb qn but how do people see the benefit of these - just for higher speed stuff and on track?

It keeps my wife quiet (well a bit quieter), she was kind enough to buy it, so I wear it.

[mak]

I've just spent the morning trying the alpine stars tech air 5 on with some kit, I've never really been convinced about the faff and fit but after popping into wheels ( dealer) strangely enough I ended up buying one, I only went in there for a nosey with a friend.

Rukka jacket a pleasure without its chest protector and back protector in place/ Alpine stars leather jacket no problem . One piece race suit , holy st there's a technique to this, it does work but requires some patience .

I won't deny its bulky, it works with my 3 pieces of kit and I guess for me there's no turning back now. Its always going to be worn, currently on charge maybe I will get out tomorrow for a test ride .

[Bob_Defly]

I like the thought of one of these, but it's gets way too hot here in the Summer to contemplate anything that doesn't vent like crazy. I don't think I could take another layer, even if it is small.

And I'm not talking British levels of heat, I'm talking nearly 40C and 100% humidity.

[KurtFlew]

I'm tempted to go down the airbag route when I get a new set of leathers this year, seems the Astars and the In & motion both have their pros and cons.

I'm sure the bulk of it isn't even noticeable once riding, I thought a forcefield back protector was huge first time I put one on, don't even feel it now.

[Salted_Peanut]

If low bulk is a priority, Dainese’s airbag-integrated jackets (Racing 3 D-Air, Stelvio D-Air, etc.) are the closest to wearing a regular jacket. They feel similar to wearing a jacket with a back protector in it.

[Tricuspid]

Salted_Peanut said:

recommend keeping a beady eye on eBay for Dainese’s Carve Master 2 D-Air jacket. It’s a superb and beautifully wearable jacket, with an integrated (i.e. hassle-free) airbag. Until this year, it was Dainese’s top textile jacket and retailed for around £1,300! But several reputable retailers have been selling it almost half-price via eBay to clear stock for this season’s new Stelvio D-Air jacket.

In Dainese jackets with an integrated airbag, I found the airbag’s unnoticeable. It’s a trade off: these airbag-equipped Dainese jackets (Carve Master 2 D-Air, Racing 3 D-Air, etc.) are hassle-free, but Alpinestars Tech-Air has more airbag coverage.

Do the Dainese ones still need a subscription for the airbag? Seems like a scam to me, but I also haver the Carve-master 2 and it's a great suit.

[Salted_Peanut]

There’s no subscription payment for Dainese airbags. I believe it’s only the InMotion-equipped jackets (Furygan, Held, Klim, RST) that have a monthly subscription fee.

[Rocket.]

Just bought a d-air vest and trying to register it so I can use it.

Only Windows laptop I have is a bit old (Windows 8) and app wont allow it to register!

Must say the connectivity side of this is a bit crap. Anyone have any similar issues or ideas how to resolve?