New Alpinestars Tech 5 air vest??

[greenmonster]

This new vest coming out in March looks sweet. Same price as the Dainese Smart vest but offers more protection - shoulders for example.
At $699 also not much more that a Helite that has to be tethered to the bike and also doesn't protect the shoulders.
The thing about a tether is what happens if you're rear ended and aren't ejected from the bike? The Helite won't deploy in that case.
My only concern with the AI system is what happens if you hit a speed bump or a pot hole hard enough to jar the bike but not cause a crash. Does the AI deploy in that case?
The next thing I'd like to see are air bag pants. Don't laugh. If you T-bone a car in an intersection you're going to fly forward and smash thighs and groin against the handlebars/gauges. Air bag pants would also protect when you hit the pavement/guard rail/tree/fence.
And to take it one step further how about air bag gloves and an air bag helmet that deploys neck braces downwards in the event of a crash to stabilize the cervical area against torque?
The gear most of us wear protects our flimsy bodies very well against abrasion but does nothing for impact protection against hard objects.
Thoughts?



https://www.alpinestars.com/tech-air-5-airbag-system

 

[cjymiller]

Now you've got me going down the rabbit hole of airbags. This is definitely appealing. I may have to pick one up once I have a kid in the next year or so.

 

[RVFRick]

Now you've got me going down the rabbit hole of airbags. This is definitely appealing. I may have to pick one up once I have a kid in the next year or so.

Get an airbag now to protect your ability to pro-create. Why wait for parenthood?

 

[greenmonster]

Judging by the lack of responses I’d say there isn’t much interest in air bag vests. They are pricey to be sure, but what’s the cost of a punctured lung? I’m definitely thinking about it

 

[afmotorsports]

$700 for Level 1 protections seems a bit over the top. I'm spending another $100 to upgrade my Klim jacket to Level 2 padding, so this air vest just doesn't add up for me. Am I missing something?

 

[Roadstergal]

Thanks for the heads up on this one. I was looking at the Dainese smart vest - the deal killer for me on the Tech Air was having to use their special gear. I want something I can put under whatever I'm wearing at the time.

The A* looks a little more protective, the Dainese looks a little more comfortable and easy to put on for everyday use.

I think, for me, it will come down to which is less of a hassle to get recharged if it deploys?

 

[cjymiller]

$700 for Level 1 protections seems a bit over the top.

Perhaps it is a Level 1 protector when uninflated. It would be good to get this clarified.

 

[Siris]

For street, since Tech 5 is not recommended for track, either tether or sensor-based actuation is better than nothing. However, they both have their trade-offs.

You need to fly off the bike for the tether to work. Further, for high speed sliding crashes, the over-the-gear airbag vest may cause you to tumble, break a bone or two on exposed areas, versus what you wear inside leathers, that allow you to slide more and tumble less.

Whereas, for sensor-based airbag, they are more intelligent, but most of the product out in the market do not provide comprehensive coverage, especially in the neck area. I have no data, but I imagine more common to tweak your neck in street crashes.

Maybe if they had a Hit-Air/Helite type airbags with sensor based triggers. That way, you don't necessary have to fly off your bike to get your neck supported.

You could always stack up on additional protection by wearing armor along with an airbag, at least back and chest armor. For the internal airbags, I guess you could ride around with a neck brace too.

 

[dittoalex]

It feels like I see a lot of airbags in SF, because I check out the different brands. But I also feel like there are a lot of Zero motorcycles, so it may be confirmation bias. Figures this would be the most popular market for both.

 

[pobey]

I enjoy the tech air street jacket while riding a Zero motorcycle. The leather jacket it fits into is a bit bulky, with a huge back protector, but that’s all added protection which I’d much rather be with than without. My lady wears a d-air Dianese integrated jacket. Hers has a nice back protector and I wouldn’t mind throwing it over my shoulders but the jacket is active only when the jacket senses a vibrating motor which my Zero doesn’t provide.

I’d consider the new Alpinestars jacket for sure. The previous version has provided me assurance for the past 6 months with no issues.

 

[RVFRick]

Thanks for the heads up on this one. I was looking at the Dainese smart vest - the deal killer for me on the Tech Air was having to use their special gear. I want something I can put under whatever I'm wearing at the time.

The A* looks a little more protective, the Dainese looks a little more comfortable and easy to put on for everyday use.

I think, for me, it will come down to which is less of a hassle to get recharged if it deploys?

D-Store in SF can recharge the Smart Jacket. Cost is $300.

Cycle Gear and other approved vendors may get trained and authorized to do it in near future.

You have the option to do it yourself (they send you the replacement bag) but the warranty becomes void.

 

[RVFRick]

Judging by the lack of responses I’d say there isn’t much interest in air bag vests. They are pricey to be sure, but what’s the cost of a punctured lung? I’m definitely thinking about it

I'm a proponent and owner of both A* integrated and Dainese Smart Jacket. Airbags are a bargain compared to medical bills for punctured lung, broken collar bone, bruising, hospital visit, ambulance ride, etc.

 

[Roadstergal]

D-Store in SF can recharge the Smart Jacket.
Cycle Gear may get authorized to do it in near future.

Awesome, I didn't know that. :thumbup

 

[norcalkid]

For street, since Tech 5 is not recommended for track, either tether or sensor-based actuation is better than nothing. However, they both have their trade-offs.

You need to fly off the bike for the tether to work. Further, for high speed sliding crashes, the over-the-gear airbag vest may cause you to tumble, break a bone or two on exposed areas, versus what you wear inside leathers, that allow you to slide more and tumble less.

Whereas, for sensor-based airbag, they are more intelligent, but most of the product out in the market do not provide comprehensive coverage, especially in the neck area. I have no data, but I imagine more common to tweak your neck in street crashes.

Maybe if they had a Hit-Air/Helite type airbags with sensor based triggers. That way, you don't necessary have to fly off your bike to get your neck supported.

You could always stack up on additional protection by wearing armor along with an airbag, at least back and chest armor. For the internal airbags, I guess you could ride around with a neck brace too.

Nice thing about the tethered one is it's a vest. Not sure if my jackets have the 4 inches of space all the way around that's requires for the A*. And I don't want to replace multiple jackets.


My other question, I travel a lot. What are the rules with taking a charged vest on the airplane? Looks like with the Helite you could just pull the CO2 and replace at destination if needed or replace if it deploys while abroad. Not sure I could get the A* back operational while abroad??

 

[mdorkenhoff]

My other question, I travel a lot. What are the rules with taking a charged vest on the airplane? Looks like with the Helite you could just pull the CO2 and replace at destination if needed or replace if it deploys while abroad. Not sure I could get the A* back operational while abroad??

Tell the flight crew that it's your personal flotation device, or a service animal.

 

[greenmonster]

I'm a proponent and owner of both A* integrated and Dainese Smart Jacket. Airbags are a bargain compared to medical bills for punctured lung, broken collar bone, bruising, hospital visit, ambulance ride, etc.

Agree 100% but the cost still puts off a lot of folks. I was at East Bay Motorsports in Hayward the other day looking around and was talking to the parts guy. I asked him if they carry airbag vests and he said if they did they'd sit in the back for 2 years before someone bought one.
I guess people are willing to take their chances.
It would be interesting to see some national sales data on these things.

 

[Crispietogu]

Reading some of the comments on revzilla, it needs maintenance every 2 years which cost about $200 apparently. That with a $500 repacking fee and a wait of a couple weeks can we a pretty turn off for a lot of people. Gonna stick with my hit air vest till I can’t pop it anymore.

 

[greenmonster]

Reading some of the comments on revzilla, it needs maintenance every 2 years which cost about $200 apparently. That with a $500 repacking fee and a wait of a couple weeks can we a pretty turn off for a lot of people. Gonna stick with my hit air vest till I can’t pop it anymore.

Yikes, at least the hit air or helite is better than nothing. I'm hoping this whole airbag vest thing is in the infancy stages and soon the price will drop to where the rest of us can afford one.

 

[RVFRick]

The Dainese Smart Jacket vest can be put in travel mode by connecting to a computer and using the app. Alternatively, and more convenient, a paper clip slipped into a small access hole next to the USB port does the same. To reactivate, connect to a USB charger or other device and the vest comes out of its sleep mode and used as normal.

 

[Archimedes]

KLIM's got one coming out soon too that looks pretty good.