Air Vest recommendations please

[cliffords]

I won't bore you with the details , but I have been off motorcycles for three months after a non bike related accident . I have decided to return to bikes but have been advised an air vest would be a good precaution .

My preference would be an over jacket type and non tethered and non subscription .

May I have any real life recommendations please ?

Thank you

Edited by cliffords on Friday 21st August 17:45

[shoestring7]

Alpinestars Tech Air 5 is a good compromise between comfort and protection. It's worn under the jacket (take out any back protector), but has panels for ventilation so isn't too hot to wear. No tether or sub either.

https://gb.alpinestars.com/products/tech-air-r-5-s...

[warnie]

shoestring7 said:

Alpinestars Tech Air 5 is a good compromise between comfort and protection. It's worn under the jacket (take out any back protector), but has panels for ventilation so isn't too hot to wear. No tether or sub either.

https://gb.alpinestars.com/products/tech-air-r-5-s...

Had mine for nearly 5 years and I never ride without it. Had it serviced at a cost of £110 just so it got a check over.

[Tonberry]

Alpinestars Tech Air 3

You should read reviews and understand what you're buying as not all vests are equal.

Inflation time, coverage and impact protection are key, any many vests fall short.

I've only seen Bennets test them properly.

[LosingGrip]

shoestring7 said:

Alpinestars Tech Air 5 is a good compromise between comfort and protection. It's worn under the jacket (take out any back protector), but has panels for ventilation so isn't too hot to wear. No tether or sub either.

https://gb.alpinestars.com/products/tech-air-r-5-s...

Ive got one for work. Ventilation is terrible. Its so hot with it in.

I along with the other bikers (apart from one) dont wear them anymore. Its too uncomfortable.

[andymach23]

Ive an Aplinestars tech air 5 as well. I really like it. Its a doddle to use and the charging setup is really straightforward. Its comfortabe to wear also.

As per my other thread, Im taking it to Spain on a fly & hire tour.

Edited by andymach23 on Friday 21st August 21:52

[iansp]

I have had a Helite E-Turtle Vest for a couple of years.

Fortunately I have not had to test it in action but it is comfortable to wear.

[hiccy18]

Tonberry said:

Alpinestars Tech Air 3

You should read reviews and understand what you're buying as not all vests are equal.

Inflation time, coverage and impact protection are key, any many vests fall short.

I've only seen Bennets test them properly.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...

Link to a Bennetts review, worth a read OP, if you haven't already. I went with the MAB M1 but the decision between tethered and electronic is a teaser IMO.

[cliffords]

hiccy18 said:

Tonberry said:

Alpinestars Tech Air 3

You should read reviews and understand what you're buying as not all vests are equal.

Inflation time, coverage and impact protection are key, any many vests fall short.

I've only seen Bennets test them properly.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...

Link to a Bennetts review, worth a read OP, if you haven't already. I went with the MAB M1 but the decision between tethered and electronic is a teaser IMO.

Thanks. I like the features of the MAB M1 except the teather. Am I over thinking this ?

Can you stand up on the bike to rest your bum , have you got petrol and nearly got off without disconnecting? I like all the other features of this very much

Edited to say. I have now watched the video and got a bit more comfortable with understanding how you can move around and accidentally start to get off before disconnecting.

Edited by cliffords on Saturday 22 August 11:02

[GreaseNipple]

I bought an MAB M1 to replace my helite turtle having read the Bennet's review. I found it much tighter fitting than the helite and consequently it got much warmer. Considering I got it in the winter I think I wouldn't have worn it in the summer. The zip broke after 2 weeks so it went back and I got a refund and bought a turtle 2 instead. I also have a airtech 10 for the track and I couldn't recommend that at all, the interface and functionality of the electronics are so bad you can come in from a session and find out it wasn't actually on, it's a bit better after updates but it inspires no confidence.

[hiccy18]

cliffords said:

Thanks. I like the features of the MAB M1 except the teather. Am I over thinking this ?

Can you stand up on the bike to rest your bum , have you got petrol and nearly got off without disconnecting? I like all the other features of this very much

Edited to say. I have now watched the video and got a bit more comfortable with understanding how you can move around and accidentally start to get off before disconnecting.

Edited by cliffords on Saturday 22 August 11:02

I don't believe you're overthinking it. I realised I'd spent a few years waiting for the "perfect" airbag, had some stuff to "try or buy" at SBS and decided I'd get the M1 when I was there. The night before I went I had a near miss, couldn't tell you the last time I had one. That confirmed my decision.

I've tried to get off without disconnecting several times, occasionally stood up a bit and generally moved around. Only once have I got home and found I wasn't connected, I was pretty pissed off at myself for that.

[greeneggsnsam]

I also have the MAB M1 and yes, you can stand up and no, it doesn't go off if you leave it clipped when hopping off the bike. Like the poster above I found the main annoyance to be forgetting to clip it on before I put my gloves on, or realising after 5 min that I forgot to clip it.

It's been too hot to wear it every single time this summer, but below 23deg it's fine. It's quite heavy so I get a sore back after a long ride, like wearing a big backpack.

I got it because the tether is mechanical. It can't run out of battery or send the wrong signal or whatever like the electronic ones. I'm too sceptical about tech to trust my life with something relying on sensors or an internet connection. Not to mention the absurdity of paying a subscription fee for an item of safety gear, like with some others...

[Redline88]

I have one of the RST jackets (adventure x pro) which has the InMotion airbag inbuilt. The jacket itself is good albeit it’s an adventure jacket so can get a bit chilly up in Scotland where I do most of my riding. They do offer a subscription package (£12/month or £120 a year). I went for this as I don’t ride over winter and you can pause the subscription. If the box has any issues, it’s under guarantee so they’ll replace it. You can however just pay a one off fee of £400 and then you own the box so no ongoing charge. If it’s of any use to anybody? I have a referral code (PRVMRFX) which gets 3 months free subscription.

Thankfully I’ve not had to use it yet but it doesn’t seem to get good reviews however they are tested to a standard (French I think) which from memory isn’t tested to have the same level of coverage as the Helite bags. I had mine on today for about 6 hours and the charge dropped from 100%-80% so you don’t need to take it out and charge it too often. There’s also an inbuilt passive back protector so even without the vest, you still have a level of back protection.

[Billy2023]

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.
The M1 has been fine and the lanyard works well, I don’ mind wearing it as long as it’s below 30, any hotter and it’s a bit much.
My wife tried her turtle out at about 30mph, no idea if she would have been hurt without it but it must have helped.