Air Bag vests

[dravnx]

Yeah, exactly like an air bag vest.

 

[rcb78]

the new klim vest is pretty affordable at 399$ for the vest and a 12$ a month, OR 120$ a year subscription to the deployment company. or can outright buy the subscription for 399$

https://www.klim.com/Ai-1-Airbag-Vest-3046-000

they have them at sjbmw

I literally just picked up one of these today. I actually like the way the pricing is structured with a subscription basis (you can buy outright too). I like that the vest is only $400 so if I kill it, it's just $400. If you choose the subscription model then you get a new 'brain' every three years along with any hardware updates that go with it, though you will receive constant wifi algorithm updates as they become available regardless of the subscription vs purchase option. The subscription just seems a little more future proof in terms of hardware updates and never worrying about battery lifespan vs charge cycles.
Hopefully I never need it, but I'm glad I finally made a choice and got something.

 

[greenmonster]

I literally just picked up one of these today. I actually like the way the pricing is structured with a subscription basis (you can buy outright too). I like that the vest is only $400 so if I kill it, it's just $400. If you choose the subscription model then you get a new 'brain' every three years along with any hardware updates that go with it, though you will receive constant wifi algorithm updates as they become available regardless of the subscription vs purchase option. The subscription just seems a little more future proof in terms of hardware updates and never worrying about battery lifespan vs charge cycles.
Hopefully I never need it, but I'm glad I finally made a choice and got something.

I'd be interested to hear how you like your new vest. Maybe post a review in a week or two?
As far as pricing goes the Hit Air vest mentioned earlier in this post is on Amazon for $519. The Klim will cost the same amount a year from now factoring in the subscription cost. It appears that the Hit Vest has more coverage than the Klim too but as you mentioned, you got something. The rest of us are depending on built in armor in our jackets which doesn't compare to the protection you're getting with your new air bag vest.
What I like about the Klim is that it's worn UNDER your jacket instead of over it like the Hit Air

 

[gixxerjeff]

A lot of good information here. :thumbup

 

[rcb78]

I'd be interested to hear how you like your new vest. Maybe post a review in a week or two?
As far as pricing goes the Hit Air vest mentioned earlier in this post is on Amazon for $519. The Klim will cost the same amount a year from now factoring in the subscription cost. It appears that the Hit Vest has more coverage than the Klim too but as you mentioned, you got something. The rest of us are depending on built in armor in our jackets which doesn't compare to the protection you're getting with your new air bag vest.
What I like about the Klim is that it's worn UNDER your jacket instead of over it like the Hit Air

Under the vest was a deciding factor for me. I wear the same jacket with various liners all throughout the year and from summer to winter the jacket will puff up with all the liners installed. For the airbag to fit properly on the outside with all the liners installed in the winter, I think it would end up fitting a little sloppy in the summer when it's just the jacket itself since they don't seem to be able to cinch up the same way a jacket can with all the different velcro and snap closures. Additionally, I like that if I were to go down that my jacket will be sacrificial and help protect the vest by prolonging the time it stays inflated vs rashing thru it if it were on the outside.

Honestly, I hope I CAN'T provide a review of how it works,, ever. At best I hope can let people know what it feels like to live with it for some time and if it's rough on the hottest days.

 

[nakedape]

Honestly, I hope I CAN'T provide a review of how it works,, ever. At best I hope can let people know what it feels like to live with it for some time and if it's rough on the hottest days.

It's rough on the warm days, and I have full mesh gear. There's no way around it, just like there's no way around going down if you keep riding.

 

[dittoalex]

The external Helite Turtle vest blocked air flow and was much more uncomfortable in warm weather than the Helite jacket, it's the main reason I got the jacket.

 

[89fj]

friend of mine went down (after passing me, bastard!) during a track day last year. he was wearing a Helite and it saved his ass from another broken collar bone

 

[greenmonster]

Those of you who know who Max Wrist is on YouTube probably know he was in a bad crash Saturday, ended up with a broken left leg but was wearing his Helite air vest which he says ( from his hospital bed live stream) saved him from any injuries aside from the leg. The reason I bring this up is if you’ve seen this guy’s vids and the crazy stuff he does, if he says his air bag vest saved him I don’t know a stronger argument to get one.

 

[wakked1]

I have a Hit-Air vest I'm about to sell actually, its the high viz mesh. Never deployed, used to wear it for commuting but don't commute anymore. Should have a spare CO2 for it as well somewhere. PM me if interested.

 

[FXCLM5]

Those of you who know who Max Wrist .

:rofl last time I heard about him was he came to sf/alices and crashed hard.

i had a hitair vest - it did its job, and a spidi vest as well, imo its just another safety thing, like a helmet/jacket/gloves

 

[bikewanker]

Jeff inquiring minds want to know if and what model you’ve bought, please.

 

[JMardy]

After owning several Hit-Air vests and crashing twice on the track with them (and starting the company SaferMoto back in 2009 to import them from Japan), I've been a big fan for years.
BUT I feel the new tech of the Alpinestars Tech Air 5 and the Dainese D-Air are superior. I own them both. I actually prefer the Alpinestars because they don't have that bulky stuff down at the bottom of your back and you can wear it with any jacket.

I have a beat to shit formerly hi-viz MLV vest I'll give to anyone who wants it. Never deployed.

Edit - Low viz brown vest has a new home.

 

[1962siia]

Sorry to thread jack but what is the life span of the cartridge in the mlv? I have one I bought in 2014-2015 that I rarely wear anymore because I pretty much ride dirt or to dirt. I’ve wondered if I can count on the cartridge still or if I should replace.

 

[JMardy]

Sorry to thread jack but what is the life span of the cartridge in the mlv? I have one I bought in 2014-2015 that I rarely wear anymore because I pretty much ride dirt or to dirt. I’ve wondered if I can count on the cartridge still or if I should replace.

I'd remove it and make sure the plunger is working fine.
It's a CO2 cartridge. It'll be fine as long as the plunger can penetrate the end cap.

 

[1962siia]

Thanks. :thumbup

 

[dravnx]

I've got my eye on a Hit-Air MLV RC
I know it's not the most technically advanced system but it is better then not wearing a vest. The feature I like about this vest is that it will flow more air then any of the other vests I've seen so I will be more apt to wear it in the hot weather.
I'm waiting until I sell some things in the garage to free up my fun budget.

 

[Wrider]

I just bought a Hit-Air MLV-P after doing a bunch of research (including this thread, which was a great resource, thanks). The most important thing to me was that it flowed air and didn't render my Olympia Airglide mesh completely ineffective. Good news: the combo still flows a lot of air in hot weather. Happy with the choice so far.

 

[dravnx]

That's what I wanted to hear. Thanx!

 

[Circacee]

I just bought a Helite (over suit) airbag this weekend. As my pace quickens, I don't want to come off the bike and have no protection. The sport is dangerous, I'd rather have it and not use it then not have it and need it.

Plus, I scored. 400 bucks and it was basically brand new.