Air Bags

[struan80]

Does anyone use one? I've been contemplating getting one. Reading reviews and stuff.

However, I would rather die from not wearing one than wear a fluorescent over jacket airbag, especially the Hellite ones. Bloody embarrassment to biking. You're not stuck out in the North Sea for goodness sakes!

If it were to be one, it would have to be as small as possible, light as possible. I don't want to look like a linebacker. Light and 100% made for an under jacket.

I've been looking at the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5, but jeez it's expensive

What are your thoughts guys?

Or I could go to a scrapyard and obtain an airbag assembly from a wrecked car. Then stuff it gown my jacket. The accelerometer would work just the same, would it not?

[BTTD]

I've never seen anyone DIY an airbag system before.


I definitely think that's the direction you should take.
Internet fame awaits.


Never worn an airbag, it's always felt like one level of faff too far.

[Polarbear]

I rode a Goldwing that had it built into the bike. That's the nearest I'd go to one.

The almost invisible ones racers wear built into their suits are I presume horrendously expensive and I doubt they would make them for road use.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Bunzena]

Have a Helite based on a variety of convincing reviews. Never used it in anger - but if the same tech is used by racers - who am I to complain?

Yes - it's a bit of a faff. No - it doesn't look cool.

But I don't give a monkeys if it lowers the odds of me ending-up a drooling wreck in a wheelchair.

And I've stopped looking at myself riding by in shop windows - so who cares?

[struan80]

I sent it back; it's a very well-made device, but for me, it's too uncomfortable to wear under my jacket. Also too expensive for me at the moment.

I'll maybe think about an external jacket at some point when I can afford it.

If you carried out a risk assessment for riding, an airbag would come up as a mitigation.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Capt Sisko]

"it would have to be as small as possible" - The issue with 'as small as possible' is also smaller coverage when it inflates and therefore less protection. It also seems a case of the more you pay the less you get. Helite's one aren't exactly subtle, but they do give good protection and if yellow isn't your thing they're also available in Black.

Like him or not Ryan F9 did a good video about airbags a few years ago. Things will have moved on since it was published 4 years ago, but it's still worth a watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2jZryt607U

[to v or not to v]

some Alpinestars airbags appeared in my inbox today oddly enough.
they dont look too bad.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_search?s=Alpinestars%20Tech%20Air%203%20v2&range%5BdisplayPrice.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[Ste]

Alpinestars Tech Air 5.

https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycle/s/bBEMqnMfnl

[Easy-X]

[t121anf]

What were the details as the OP has deleted their post.

[Ste]

"Almost two years ago, I took part in a low-speed motorcycle training course. I crashed at around 45 km/h (28 mph) while wearing the latest airbag vest and leather suit – a set the manufacturer promoted as “fully compatible and safe.”
The airbag deployed with such intense pressure that my chest collapsed from the inside. The result:
22 broken ribs
4 fractures in the collarbone
A ruptured spleen
A cracked pelvis
0 external injuries – not a single bruise.
3D scans show a perfect 1:1 match between the airbag’s pressure points and my internal injuries. There were no injuries outside the vest’s protection zones – and no damage to the leather suit. Since then, I’ve lived with constant pain, reduced function in my left arm, and lost the ability to work full-time.
I contacted the manufacturer immediately. They didn’t respond for six months. They promised access to the data – then broke that promise. The report I eventually received was based on a different suit, used the wrong riding position, and made no mention of my injuries.
It later became clear that neither the vest nor the suit is CE-certified – yet they’ve continued selling the products globally. I’ve reported the case to authorities in multiple EU countries, to data protection agencies, and to consumer watchdogs.
I’m sharing this because it could happen to someone else. Not because of speed. Not because of recklessness. But because we trust that “certified” safety gear has actually been tested and is safe. Mine wasn’t. And the manufacturer knows it.
The injuries lie beneath the back protector, which is completely undamaged and in a straight line. On the front, I had my phone in the inner jacket pocket – it’s also completely undamaged.
I'm writing this to warn others so they don’t get hurt. My suit was one size larger than I normally wear – and that may be the only reason I’m still alive today."

https://archive.ph/i8UkS

[PotatoHead202...]

I've used the Helite Turtle for years now, never ride without it.

You rapidly get used to checking it's attached, no subscriptions to worry about, no trying to fit it under your jacket, not really any issues in warmer temps.

I couldn't give a flying fuck what other people think of it.

No brainer.
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Suzuki V Strom 1050XT, Honda CBF500 ABS,

[sickpup]

[Fullers1845]