Air Vest recommendations please
Discussion
the cueball said:
I got the MAB V4 vest after watching the Bennett s review.
Tethered to the bike but you can stand up and get off without it going off.
Quite warm on the bike and heavy off it.
I hope it s a huge waste of money and never need to use it.
+1 for the MAB v4. I was concerned about the tether but it's a complete non-issue, much less hassle than subscriptions and batteries. Tethered to the bike but you can stand up and get off without it going off.
Quite warm on the bike and heavy off it.
I hope it s a huge waste of money and never need to use it.
I've had the Dainese Smart Air since 2019, and have recently gone to the Smart Jacket and have no complaints about either. My Smart Air was serviced by Dainese for free too. I actually prefer the Smart Air in concept. The inflators are around the kidneys and the front and back are soft.
The Smart Jacket the tech is in the back, and the non-airbag parts are much smaller and sizing is far more sensible.
Not sure what size or where you are, but my Smart Air is going cheap.
The Smart Jacket the tech is in the back, and the non-airbag parts are much smaller and sizing is far more sensible.
Not sure what size or where you are, but my Smart Air is going cheap.
FoolsErrand said:
Billy2023 said:
I had a Turtle 2 and changed to a M1. The Tourette was fine apart from randomly going off twice for no reason! The first time was on the Chanel tunnel while it was not even being warn.
Presumably you're talking about an electronic Turtle 2 rather than tether? the cueball said:
I got the MAB V4 vest after watching the Bennett s review.
Tethered to the bike but you can stand up and get off without it going off.
Quite warm on the bike and heavy off it.
I hope it s a huge waste of money and never need to use it.
What's the main difference between the V4 vest and the M1?Tethered to the bike but you can stand up and get off without it going off.
Quite warm on the bike and heavy off it.
I hope it s a huge waste of money and never need to use it.
cliffords said:
Thanks for all the advice.
Order placed today with Sportsbike shop .
MAB M1
It will be about 4 months since I have been on the bike when it comes.
Well I tried it today and I think its too small . Its the biggest size 3XL and over jacket , any of my jackets its really tight at chest level .Order placed today with Sportsbike shop .
MAB M1
It will be about 4 months since I have been on the bike when it comes.
In old money I am 48'' chest , 6' 2'' and about 100kg all dressed up .
Its just too tight and does say should not be worn too tight as may cause difficulty on inflation. Very disappointed as it feels like a great product .
Back to looking again I fear .
hiccy18 said:
That's odd, I am a similar size and have the XL.... have you unfastened the zips at the side?
Yes I have thanks for checking . I have checked the sizing in the jacket at 3XL and its really too tight in my view . The straps are adjustable and the side zips undo fine to give it some size . The front zip is straining with it done up .I am really disappointed .
I am eager to get back on my bike after 3 months off after a non bike related accident . I broke a lot of ribs amongst other stuff and all medical people say if you are going on a bike wear a vest .
Edited by cliffords on Tuesday 1st September 17:16
Late to the party on this one but I thought I'd add a comment that Kate at Hideout said to me when I was having a suit made. I asked whether the airbag should be inside or out. Kate said that an internal airbag would mean the jacket would not fit as well as the airbag needed space to expand. Likewise, there couldn't be as much air in the internal airbag because of the limit on space. Finally, she asked if I was going to add any weight throughout the life of the suit. She made the point that if an excess of pies filled the free space in the airbag would have nowhere to expand, but it will expand. The suit won't give so the only place it can expand is into you!
I've had 3 airbags - the Tech Air 5 (worn under jacket), an In&Motion one (I forget who from) which could be worn either over or under (I was stuck on wanting under jacket for looks, but wanted one I could wear over my leathers), and most recently the Helite backpack one.
I am a girl so a completely different size and shape to you, but equally it makes sizing tricky as almost all airbags are shaped and sized for men.
The Helite backpack is the most comfortable and may help with the fitment issue. It comes either tethered (which I have) or electronic I think, it's just more expensive electronic. I did a load of reading on how electronic vs tethered function in various types of crashes. Electronic tend not to work if you're hit while below a certain speed so it's unclear how they function in a stationary or low speed crash - Helite will sell you optional fork sensors to help it go off in a rear end while stationary type of crash. There are. few videos online of the Helite going off in crashes.
It's different to their Turtle in that it doesn't have quite as much full body protection I think, but it could be worth you taking a look. I have it adjusted almost all the way in, but it looks like there's lots of adjustment - it looks a bit like a small rucksack, it's light, it has a removable back protector as well, and if you want you can zip an extra bit to it so it works as a rucksack.
I also didn't want a Turtle - for my own personal reasons rather than anything technical! In fact I've ridden with someone who had a really horrible accident while wearing a tethered turtle which went off, and he had no upper body injuries that I know of.
It only has adjustment at the sides (a bit like a rucksack) and you'd want to look at how much rib protection there is, but it certainly has bladders down the front.
I am a girl so a completely different size and shape to you, but equally it makes sizing tricky as almost all airbags are shaped and sized for men.
The Helite backpack is the most comfortable and may help with the fitment issue. It comes either tethered (which I have) or electronic I think, it's just more expensive electronic. I did a load of reading on how electronic vs tethered function in various types of crashes. Electronic tend not to work if you're hit while below a certain speed so it's unclear how they function in a stationary or low speed crash - Helite will sell you optional fork sensors to help it go off in a rear end while stationary type of crash. There are. few videos online of the Helite going off in crashes.
It's different to their Turtle in that it doesn't have quite as much full body protection I think, but it could be worth you taking a look. I have it adjusted almost all the way in, but it looks like there's lots of adjustment - it looks a bit like a small rucksack, it's light, it has a removable back protector as well, and if you want you can zip an extra bit to it so it works as a rucksack.
I also didn't want a Turtle - for my own personal reasons rather than anything technical! In fact I've ridden with someone who had a really horrible accident while wearing a tethered turtle which went off, and he had no upper body injuries that I know of.
It only has adjustment at the sides (a bit like a rucksack) and you'd want to look at how much rib protection there is, but it certainly has bladders down the front.
dreamer75 said:
I've had 3 airbags - the Tech Air 5 (worn under jacket), an In&Motion one (I forget who from) which could be worn either over or under (I was stuck on wanting under jacket for looks, but wanted one I could wear over my leathers), and most recently the Helite backpack one.
I am a girl so a completely different size and shape to you, but equally it makes sizing tricky as almost all airbags are shaped and sized for men.
The Helite backpack is the most comfortable and may help with the fitment issue. It comes either tethered (which I have) or electronic I think, it's just more expensive electronic. I did a load of reading on how electronic vs tethered function in various types of crashes. Electronic tend not to work if you're hit while below a certain speed so it's unclear how they function in a stationary or low speed crash - Helite will sell you optional fork sensors to help it go off in a rear end while stationary type of crash. There are. few videos online of the Helite going off in crashes.
It's different to their Turtle in that it doesn't have quite as much full body protection I think, but it could be worth you taking a look. I have it adjusted almost all the way in, but it looks like there's lots of adjustment - it looks a bit like a small rucksack, it's light, it has a removable back protector as well, and if you want you can zip an extra bit to it so it works as a rucksack.
I also didn't want a Turtle - for my own personal reasons rather than anything technical! In fact I've ridden with someone who had a really horrible accident while wearing a tethered turtle which went off, and he had no upper body injuries that I know of.
It only has adjustment at the sides (a bit like a rucksack) and you'd want to look at how much rib protection there is, but it certainly has bladders down the front.
Many thanks for taking the time to reply with such detail . I have selected a couple to go to Sportsbikeshop and will try them on including the Helite ones both Turtle and Pack .I am a girl so a completely different size and shape to you, but equally it makes sizing tricky as almost all airbags are shaped and sized for men.
The Helite backpack is the most comfortable and may help with the fitment issue. It comes either tethered (which I have) or electronic I think, it's just more expensive electronic. I did a load of reading on how electronic vs tethered function in various types of crashes. Electronic tend not to work if you're hit while below a certain speed so it's unclear how they function in a stationary or low speed crash - Helite will sell you optional fork sensors to help it go off in a rear end while stationary type of crash. There are. few videos online of the Helite going off in crashes.
It's different to their Turtle in that it doesn't have quite as much full body protection I think, but it could be worth you taking a look. I have it adjusted almost all the way in, but it looks like there's lots of adjustment - it looks a bit like a small rucksack, it's light, it has a removable back protector as well, and if you want you can zip an extra bit to it so it works as a rucksack.
I also didn't want a Turtle - for my own personal reasons rather than anything technical! In fact I've ridden with someone who had a really horrible accident while wearing a tethered turtle which went off, and he had no upper body injuries that I know of.
It only has adjustment at the sides (a bit like a rucksack) and you'd want to look at how much rib protection there is, but it certainly has bladders down the front.
Bob_Defly said:
Of all of the options I think I like MAB the best, I just wish they made a backpack version.
They do and it looks good City AirbagTuonoPants said:
They do and it looks good City Airbag
I can't exactly remember, but I *think* I discounted that from my process, because it had no front protection whereas the Helite one does.Just to finish my own thread . I tried on a couple this morning and the MAB M1 that I think has the best protection , is just too restrictive and tight for me . Even in the top size it reminded me of my time in a straightjacket 
It does appear to have the best rib protection and that's my focus. But I cant wear it so no protection at all.
I have ended up with Turtle 2 , interestingly not in the biggest size. I fit fine in an LL and the next size up is like a baggy dress on me .
Its a compromise with good neck and back protection and fair rib protection, but importantly I can wear it every ride as its pretty comfortable and not too restrictive .
As is always written I am not planning to try it out in anger , but who knows . Thanks for those that gave advice and refrained saying I was fat .
It does appear to have the best rib protection and that's my focus. But I cant wear it so no protection at all.I have ended up with Turtle 2 , interestingly not in the biggest size. I fit fine in an LL and the next size up is like a baggy dress on me .
Its a compromise with good neck and back protection and fair rib protection, but importantly I can wear it every ride as its pretty comfortable and not too restrictive .
As is always written I am not planning to try it out in anger , but who knows . Thanks for those that gave advice and refrained saying I was fat .
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