Airbag vest adventures, highs, lows etc

Bike Gear Other kit
21

Well, I don’t want to pre-empt my next big data dump…but, for me, the requirements and parameters may be different to others…

You say “suits”; is that because you’re racing or in full leathers? If so, we are going to disagree simply because the protection you require will be different from mine due to totally different riding situations. Not good, bad, better, or worse …just different. Apologies if Ive misunderstood that

I LIKE the ease of use that the Helite offers, especially after an off. Provided all seems ok with a quick visual check and the slow air release as it deflates, you can reload your vest with a £20 spare canister yourself at the roadside and you’re good to go.

Similarly with the Klim/Ixon jackets, albeit the canister is nearer £70 a throw.

I believe that the Dainese needs to be sent off for a reset, at a cost of £215ish… That’s rather a lot.

I know we are taking about worst case scenarios, with all these in such instances, it may well be the least of your concerns when it’s saved your life… However it is, for me, a tick in the “cons” column to have substantial cost and specialist check each time.

The other issue, and a significant issue for me, which few seem to address in any detail, is the coverage when deployed.

As said, in my opinion, the Helite offers by far the most coverage, followed by the Klim/Ixon…

The Dainese for me misses the mark as it seems to offer little to no neck protection, or indeed head immobilisation.

I would have thought that preventing hyperextension of the neck is surely a must have!? The Dainese doesn’t have it. Not that I can see or ascertain from any images or specs.

Its as simple as that for me. Protection (or lack of) at less user friendliness rules it out.

*I will happily caveat this with the fact I have tried to read up on stats for what injuries motorcyclists actually sustain, and with that in mind whether airvests have a positive outcome. I have my opinion based on what I’ve read. However and Specifically re hyperextension of the neck I’ve not been able to find…maybe Dainese have it right and the other brands are needlessly incorporating that aspect in to their designs? I can not say. But my lay person POV wants that neck protection.

I have other reasons, but they are very personal to me - re weight, fit, etc. But the above are reason enough to rule Dainese out.

Alas, ditto for the Alpinestars Tech 5…

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22

Thanks, apologies for my lack of info, I do not do anything track wise my bike is my summer enjoyment only no commuting either. I currently wear 2 piece leathers which I do not plan to move away from. I have an upgraded spine protector in them and an additional wat looks like a spine protecter in my kriega backpack.
I was aware of the costs associated with the likes of Dainese and I totally agree it seems excessive I also read their counter argument that it’s done that way to ensure the equipment has not been impaired by what ever impact it was involved in. I’d argue if u were in leathers that they too maybe badly damaged so all in all very expensive, last time I checked their 2 piece was nearly £2k.
The Helite as u say seem pretty good in terms of simply replacing canisters. I just wish their vests were a bit more aesthetically pleasing on the eye and arguably more summer friendly albeit I have nothing to support my thoughts re summer as never tried one out.
I’d hazard a guess there is some method to their madness re the neck aspect when you see the neck braces used in touring cars etc I appreciate different forces are at play when motorbikes are involved.
One piece of kit I do not like the sounds of is the third part air bags you wear beneath clothing, if u do not leave the right amount of space im sure it could do more harm than good at point of deployment.

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23

Very interesting topic of discussion. I have been riding a while and have never considered this type of safety kit. Not sure I will in the future but have enjoyed reading peoples views. :slightly_smiling_face:

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24

Just a couple of points, while I warm up my fingers…

I agree that the Helite is not visually pleasing. A big emotional wrestle I have had is how I feel about “the look” of riding. I won’t bore you with the details, but in summary…as a slightly plumper middle-aged man, I may well think I look like Steve McQueen but I assure you that I don’t really! Plus, as a daily, all-weather commuter…a beautiful looking bike may be one thing, but practically…? That then all led me to one inevitable conclusion (after I considered “two bikes” and losing weight…)… and that is why I have my tiger 1050 and happy to have an airvest.

For what it is worth, when you are riding…you can’t see what you look like…so I am again happy with the depressing looking outer vest… Plus, if someone notices that I am wearing one, then being noticed is what most of this is about! Added to the fact my Helite was high-vis, so there really was no hiding! That said, the black version is (obviously) a lot less noticeable, and in fact is hardly noticed at all - depending upon what jacket you have on!

I rode with mine (Helite) in the summer. As it is a loose-fitting tunic style, when moving, airflow was absolutely a-ok. Riding in the heat is always a compromise on what to wear… It was unbearable this past summer (I had stopped using my Helite by then), even with a Lvl 1 mesh jacket and armoured riding jeans. To be any cooler would mean bare arms or legs, and that is simply a no-no for me. I would not have been any more or less uncomfortable with a vest, I reckon…

I am actively looking at the “under jacket” electronic airvests… Both my heavier touring jacket and lighter mesh jacket both, surprisingly, have the required give in them to accommodate the expansion…and neither of these are baggy jackets by any means… Bear in mind, the back armour is removed from them when wearing the vest, as the vest is itself armoured. You’re looking at about 6.5cm extra fabric each side of your chest measurement…That really isn’t much when you measure it…
It is true that these vests are not recommended for one-piece suits, due to the “wedggie situation” that deployment will bring!!

I am more drawn to the Klim vest than the Ixon because of the mesh sides of the vest on the Klim, that does - so I hear - provide better/cooler airflow in hot weather… But I would like to get up close and personal for each vest to see what they look and feel like…I understand again that the Klim has a slightly better/quality feel about it - whatever that means!?

One thing that is “new” on my understanding…which I’ll admit does irritate me a little, is that the back protector on the Klim/Ixon is only Level 1. Why would you do that? I think - and continue to research - that the airvest PLUS back protection brings it to Level 2…but then, and I have literally just noticed this and am trying to clarify…I think I noticed that on these Klim/Ixon vests…there is NO air channel at the back? The air part of the vest is a loop at the front going around the back of the neck…? I need to verify if this is the case.

If this IS the case…then, in summary and to gauge where my consternation is, is this brings me back full circle to the Helite…with it’s Level 2 pack protector PLUS the rear air-channels creating the barrel/cocoon that affords so much protection…plus end-user ease of use?

It’s a conundrum! But that is where I am up to!

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25

I bought it as have young toddlers and had a birthday coming up so got people to chip in for it.
It’s weird, there’s a lot of “what ifs” when you first start considering one - like “what if I come off while thinking about it and get a nasty injury?” even though I’ve been riding safe for 19 years.
In use, it’s fine. I tend to not wear jacket liners anyway so plenty of space for it and you don’t notice the weight after a short while.
I get the frustration of cost to replace canisters. There was speculation that Alpinestars would start rolling the service out to dealers.
Anyway, if I do come off and it saves me, I’m pretty sure I’ll be thankful rather than annoyed.
I’m not going to tell everyone to go buy one but I do think it should be standardised in kit in the future.

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26

This all sounds very reasonable Jage…and glad you’ve made the choice to wear one. I think once the decision to wear one has been made, which specific one is just personal preference.

Like you, I’d rather wear one, any one, than not.

Ride safe!

27

Fortnine does another great piece on these things. I’m looking for a new leather jacket so have been investigating these choices.

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28

Yeah, have watched that a few times (I like his stuff!)…

I have seen a fair few reviews now, and I do sincerely find it interesting that they never review/contrast/compare the deployed coverage… Isn’t “what’s actually going to be protected” a really big item to actually review!!?

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29

(don’t tell my wife)…I stand corrected or educated re my concerns over the back protection afforded by Klim/Ixon:

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There IS back air channels:

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30

Klim airbag vest on its way from SBS!

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31

Did you consider the In&Motion costs too? When I looked at the € costs, it was €12 per month OR €120 per Year OR €399 to buy outright. Some options give you the option to upgrade and others are limited. I just didn’t like the part where I was paying someone a monthly charge to allow my airbag to go off if I was in an accident.

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32

Hi Jage, yes, am fully on board with the subscription model for the “brain”. I even have a “1 month free” payment.

I like the subscription model as it simply makes an expensive piece of equipment (that I want) become affordable. I could have put the full outright purchase on a CC; but I also like the updates situation that (I believe) comes with the subscription model.

I do not share your concerns about “allowing” usage… I mean, I get peoples “on the face of it concerns”, but having dug deeper, had conversation with “In&Motion” I now have no concerns at all… I do concede that they have monumentally fuc#ed up their promotion of this payment model, but a quick bit of research shows that there is nothing to worry about - or at least, I am perfectly satisfied with it.

To clarify:

  • Once the vest is “armed”; it will not disarm until you disarm it (or the battery runs out).
  • When you go to arm the vest you will see how much battery is left and it is entirely my call whether to proceed or not.
  • When I go to arm the vest, I will see whether the jacket is armed, or not. Ditto on whether I then choose to use it.
  • Once armed, my subscription/payment or lack there-of will not “suddenly” disarm the jacket.
  • If my subscription lapses, right in the middle of a ride, I will get a 30 day notice period, PLUS ( I believe ) another 30 day grace period…I can chose to ignore the messages, emails and warnings for c60 days if I want to about the impending lapse of payment.
  • Even if it does then lapse, see above about what that actually means.

There are indeed levels of risk one accepts here, for an item that I MAY only need (I am still wearing armoured riding gear after all).

These risks, for me, are no more or less (actually, all things considered, actually I may decide are in fact “less”) than starting out on my ride and…my brakes blow a seal? My indicators stop working? I get a puncture? My helmet splits on impact, I sneeze and close my eyes, I choke on some spit… etc…

But we all need to satisfy ourselves… Although, FWIW, I am totally satisfied.

Ride safe!

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33

…belly a bit big/vest a bit “close fitting”; so size up ordered. :roll_eyes:

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34

For anyone bored enough to listen (otherwise for my own notes);

I am unsure now, entirely, with this whole thing…

Airbag, in principle - sold.
Tethered system - sold
Electronic system - sold
Subscription - sold.

The problems are thus…

The under jacketness of the Klim vest is making my main riding jacket a little tight and uncomfortable. (I guess, of course it would, I have added a layer…but it is more substantial than I anticipated. Not bulky…but noticeable).

In a panic/dither I ordered a Large (rather than XL) standard length (rather than Long) Helite Turtle 2 - to see how that interfering with my helmet. It still did. It has been returned.

So …I am totally satisfied that the Helite vest is not for me.

And I am again being confronted with the fact I’m a fat bloke on a motorbike so things are working against me…

Slightly grumpy and despondent with eth whole thing, I think I am going to return the (Klim) airvest, as it simply doesn’t feel very comfortable on, under my (layered) winter jacket, and equally under my summer mesh jacket.

I am a bit miffed, and, as I said, sulking about the whole situation.

I like/value the safety advantage (that I perceive) offered by an airvest. But in practice…I am simply not finding a “fit” that works for me. I could certainly keep the Helite, and compromise on some neck ache. Or I could keep theundervest amd compromise on jacket comfort.

However both these scenarios will, I just know, subtract from my riding comfort and, rather than “purchase them but not want to ride without them”, I’ll just end up not ride/want to ride at all…

So…what do I do… :unamused: :person_shrugging:

I am now considering spending a few quid on a decent, slim, Lvl 2 back protector (always have a back protector, but maybe consider getting better)? in an effort to mitigate my sulk…and ride…and, perhaps, deep in the recesses of my garbled mind, feel a little more vulnerable without an airbag and so be less inclined to take risks (I get the argument about risk aversion etc)…

Maybe keeping it simple is the way forwards.

“Simple is, as simple does”…

hmmm…not sure what to say or do. :confounded:

This is mainly my own internal diatribe written out - but feel free to comment should you have got this far…

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35

Keep it simple, lose weight, more comfortable on the bike, fitter to ride and in the event of an unscheduled de-camp- you won’t hit the ground so hard- simple

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I’m not that overweight…but it doesn’t help… :sweat_smile:

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If you think it’s your weight / shape then obviously it’s up to you whether or not you want to change that in the name of enhancing your motorcycling experience, whatever you feel happy with is what counts here of course.

If you go the back protector route…I won’t ride without decent back protection having previously fractured a few vertebrae in an accident - the Knox micro lock back protector I am a huge fan of as it is so flexible that it moves with you and is much longer than others I have, covering more of your spine. It came in my Urbane Pro mesh jacket - that in itself is brilliant as it holds the armour tightly to your body (you can wear layers over it unless it’s a hot day - or always!) and I feel that it is likely to stay in place well in the event of an off.

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38

Is this just the actual pad you mean or the “braces and belt” unit…?

Thanks you Mrs V!

39

I have only tried the pad as it is in the jacket- it is very comfortable.

40

Hmm…interesting.

I have often wondered my back pads are so short! Perhaps I’ll give this a go…the SportsBikeShop delivery guy has been here most days this past week!