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OmegaA |
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OmegaA Two Stroke Sniffer
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kramdra |
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kramdra World Chat Champion
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 11:14 - 30 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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I recently took the plunge and bought one myself. I went for a Helite; for me the choice was between that and the HitAir.
From my research.... first choice is between buying clothing with built-in airbags or a vest; I went for the vest so I can use it with summer and winter jacket. Next decision is about the activation system - do you want a ripcord physically attached to the bike, or an electronic sensor which detects a crash and activates that way. For me, the huge cost of the electronic ones instantly dissuaded me off.
As regards safety features of the system - I guess that's something you need to decide for yourself. I wanted a rapid inflation time, and a system which protects the neck and spine effectively; Helite seemed to fit the bill. Havent 'tested' it yet; hopefully I won't have to any time soon.
The Helite comes in two flavours - their original is called 'Airnest'; but they now also do a 'Turtle', which has built-in spine armour on the outside - that made sense to me (ie, having armour on the outside of the airbag, rather than inside it, within your jacket) and I bought that. Kind of regret that now for practical reasons; it means that the vest itself is pretty big - 27" long - and can't be folded at all, so if you ride somewhere and park the bike up, you can't stick the vest in a topbox while you wander round town or whatever, you have to take it with you. ____________________ KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 11:52 - 30 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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The main issue is: will you actually use it. I've had a HitAir vest for years, and for most of that time it's been hanging up in the garage.
I should probably sell it to some other mug... ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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Cadbury |
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Cadbury Crazy Courier
Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :
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Baffler186 |
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Baffler186 World Chat Champion
Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :
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Cadbury |
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Cadbury Crazy Courier
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :
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OmegaA |
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OmegaA Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 22 Apr 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 18:24 - 30 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Freddyfruitbat wrote: | .
Kind of regret that now for practical reasons; it means that the vest itself is pretty big - 27" long - and can't be folded at all, so if you ride somewhere and park the bike up, you can't stick the vest in a topbox while you wander round town or whatever, you have to take it with you. |
Thank you sharing experience with Helite Turtle. My top box is about 22” long, so it won’t fit
I concluded that a vest is probably will be more useful for me so that I could use it with my existing gear. This also rules out Dainese and Alpinestars. So, I am in a choice between Helite or HitAir. Has anybody compared them to tell advantages/ disadvantages of each between them? I gather that Helite Airnest deploys faster, has a hard back protector, but HitAir has more options regarding weight and has a good reputation because used by many emergency organisations around the world (better reputation, but only subjective). Does HitAir has hard back protector?
I want to get the maximum protection, but comfort is probably more important to me - if it is not comfortable then I won’t use it. And ideally I want to have good back and chest protection. HitAir has light version of airbags, I wonder if It has chest protection
Thanks ____________________ All-year-round rider since 2005 |
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T.C |
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T.C World Chat Champion
Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 11:59 - 02 May 2018 Post subject: |
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I know I don't come here anymore, so please excuse me for interupting and showing my face, but given the fact that you are talking airbag jackets...................
Some of you I know choose to wear textile jackets rather than leather.
Some of you may be thinking about changing your textile jacket.
Have you or are you considering an airbag jacket?
If you are thinking about a new jacket, and if you are thinking possibly of an airbag jacket, then have a look at https://www.airvest.co.uk/ and if hou decide to take it further then quote HUDGELL10 and it will entitle you to a 10% discount.
I have seen these jackets in operation for real and they are superb.
They are not the cheapest, but then quality never has come cheap, although in reality they are on a par cost wise with other quality jackets.
If you are coming to the Ace on Friday 4th of May, Nick from Airvest will be there as our guest and will also be on hand and demonstrating the jackets as well as being able to answer any qustions and dispelling myths such as the cord activating the air bag when getting off the bike and extension cords
But the offer is ongoing, not just for Friday.
Hope this is of interest?
If not then please feel free to delete it ____________________ It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next |
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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OmegaA |
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OmegaA Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 22 Apr 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 21:38 - 03 May 2018 Post subject: |
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T.C wrote: |
If you are thinking about a new jacket, and if you are thinking possibly of an airbag jacket, then have a look at https://www.airvest.co.uk/ and if hou decide to take it further then quote HUDGELL10 and it will entitle you to ...
Hope this is of interest?
If not then please feel free to delete it |
Thank you for the link and the code.
I am interested, but I still cannot figure out HitAir vs Helite vest. I now suspect Turtle won’t really work for me (as I cannot store it in the box), but I still need to figure out what other things to consider to ensure I wear it all the time. As I understand, lighter versions are more convenient, therefore are used more often, but offer less protection... I don’t know if the trade off worth it ____________________ All-year-round rider since 2005 |
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Dave.... |
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Dave.... Trackday Trickster
Joined: 13 May 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 22:46 - 03 May 2018 Post subject: |
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Freddyfruitbat wrote: | I recently took the plunge and bought one myself. I went for a Helite; for me the choice was between that and the HitAir.
From my research.... first choice is between buying clothing with built-in airbags or a vest; I went for the vest so I can use it with summer and winter jacket. Next decision is about the activation system - do you want a ripcord physically attached to the bike, or an electronic sensor which detects a crash and activates that way. For me, the huge cost of the electronic ones instantly dissuaded me off.
As regards safety features of the system - I guess that's something you need to decide for yourself. I wanted a rapid inflation time, and a system which protects the neck and spine effectively; Helite seemed to fit the bill. Havent 'tested' it yet; hopefully I won't have to any time soon.
The Helite comes in two flavours - their original is called 'Airnest'; but they now also do a 'Turtle', which has built-in spine armour on the outside - that made sense to me (ie, having armour on the outside of the airbag, rather than inside it, within your jacket) and I bought that. Kind of regret that now for practical reasons; it means that the vest itself is pretty big - 27" long - and can't be folded at all, so if you ride somewhere and park the bike up, you can't stick the vest in a topbox while you wander round town or whatever, you have to take it with you. |
Pretty much the same for myself. I do take mine off when parked up and it fits in side pannier but was an issue when I didn't have them.
Makes for walking about a better experience without having back protector. ____________________ Honda Africa Twin |
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MCN |
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MCN Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 07:52 - 04 May 2018 Post subject: |
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"Never seen the rain." ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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OmegaA |
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OmegaA Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 22 Apr 2018 Karma :
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :
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temeluchus |
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temeluchus World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 03:38 - 11 May 2018 Post subject: |
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T.C wrote: | I know I don't come here anymore, so please excuse me for interupting and showing my face, but given the fact that you are talking airbag jackets...................
Some of you I know choose to wear textile jackets rather than leather.
Some of you may be thinking about changing your textile jacket.
Have you or are you considering an airbag jacket?
If you are thinking about a new jacket, and if you are thinking possibly of an airbag jacket, then have a look at https://www.airvest.co.uk/ and if hou decide to take it further then quote HUDGELL10 and it will entitle you to a 10% discount.
I have seen these jackets in operation for real and they are superb.
They are not the cheapest, but then quality never has come cheap, although in reality they are on a par cost wise with other quality jackets.
If you are coming to the Ace on Friday 4th of May, Nick from Airvest will be there as our guest and will also be on hand and demonstrating the jackets as well as being able to answer any qustions and dispelling myths such as the cord activating the air bag when getting off the bike and extension cords
But the offer is ongoing, not just for Friday.
Hope this is of interest?
If not then please feel free to delete it |
I thought you'd died. ____________________ Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM! |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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T.C |
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T.C World Chat Champion
Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :
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OmegaA |
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OmegaA Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 22 Apr 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 16:10 - 08 Jun 2018 Post subject: |
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I now bought the airvest. It is Helite Turtle. Maybe my selection process will be useful to somebody in the future, so here it is
I had several considerations when choosing between Helite models and HitAir, top are the most important ones:
1. If I am going to use it all the time - gear must be comfortable
2. If it provides good protection - well above the minimum
3. If I can verify my assumptions related to points 1 and 2 above
4. Pricing
Helite Turtle originally lost on the first point as many users cannot lock it anywhere once they get off the bike. However, when I went to a shop to try it, I realised that it could easily fit my Givi Trekker 52N Top Case. Also, I realised that the vest is not heavy, I could easily travel with it on all the time. It would not restrict my movements either if I choose the right size. HitAir probably would fit anywhere too as it is even smaller, but don’t know how bulky it will be once protection plates are added.
Helite Turtle claims offering great protection and fastest deployment. New HitAir is slower, but I felt it still has adequate deployment time. HitAir also offers back, side and chest protection plates. While Helite Turtle boasts good back protector, I found it thinner than Forcefield Body Armour I currently have. And Turtle does not have chest protection. Therefore, I felt that Turtle may not protect as well as HitAir with additional protection. I spoke to the seller at www.Airvest.co.uk and he persuaded me that Turtle offered me adequate balance of comfort and protection (long distance commuting). And, since Forcefield felt too hot, I felt not having front protection plate will improve ventilation. I also considered Helite GP because it has front protection, but the seller from Airvest (Peter) told me that Turtle would be more suitable for my purpose. Still, I feel HitAir without plates will offer the highest ventilation
I could verify that Turtle is a good product by seeing in shops, but I could not with HitAir. I am not saying HitAir is worse, just my circumstances did not allow me travelling to see HitAir.
Price - older versions of HitAir are twice cheaper than Turtle. However, I read reviews even here that they are not comfortable, partially because of the weight. Current HitAir models are the same in price as Turtle, but then you need to add the costs of plates that you can buy separately, this eventually makes HitAir more expensive. And I used 10% discount code published here for Turtle. As a result, Turtle became cheaper option
I spoke to Airvest about sizing as I was between sizes: Helite recommends both sizes M and L for me - I am 175 cm (5’9”), waist 33”, chest 40”, weight 78 kg. The seller (Peter) recommended size M (he said he was 99% sure, if wrong, he will arrange collection and replacement for size L for free). I tried size L before, it felt comfortable too. Anyway, Turtle has quite generous adjustment laces to fit different sizes. And I chose black to HiViz - I used to wear HiViz jackets before, but I could never wash them out from dirt (they become dirty and stay dirty no matter how much I wash them except stripping a bit of the top layer of the reflective coating). Seller also confirmed that I would struggle cleaning HiViz vest
The item arrived, I tried it on. The manual says that it should reach half way down the buttock when deflated. This will ensure it will cover the pelvis. I sent photos to Peter asking his expert opinion and he said he still believes it still provides adequate protection, I don’t need size. However, if I want to be sure, I can fire the vest to see how far below it protects and he will send a replacement canister. And he offers free exchange for vests in any case. So, I decided to keep it. Not sure about firing, but maybe I will, I still have time to decide
Now I start wearing the vest and see how well it works ____________________ All-year-round rider since 2005 |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 5 years, 324 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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