Who's using an airbag vest?

[Bulldog9]

Once scoffed at, I'm seeing a bunch of talk related to airbag vests. Anyone using these? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_SYPHcZUCw

[Dirk_S]

My friend does, and is thankful everyday for it. I may in the future. Funny that you say “scoffed at.” I’m not an ATGATT chap, but I certainly wouldn’t poo-poo anyone for wanting more protection.

[Vagrant]

I for one certainly wish I had one on in 2010 when I crashed in Alaska breaking 1 rib on the left and for sure 10 on the right. Should have been dead.
Now I am seriously thinking about the Helite but # one problem in the south is heat. I have two different air mesh jackets and I pick the one based on the high temps for the day. Also a normal riding jacket for cool weather. There sure isn't room between the overgrown belly and the jacket to work properly so it needs to be on the outside and it has to let lots of air through. If it's under a grand it should make sense for everybody.

[cookiemech]

I have two of the Helite vests (one is larger to fit over a bulkier suit and the other is better over a mesh suit in hot weather). Eight bikes and eight tethers.

I don't wish to find out if they work; I'll take their word for it.

[erich]

I wear a Helite Turtle since 2018. Mainly to avoid studying the multitude of conventional torso protectors. Do not forget to take a spare CO2 cartridge with you, the vest might deploy in less than spectacular circumstances (on my first trip with the vest I nearly fell off a parking house ramp at stalling speed). Worn over a mesh jacket (Dainese Air Frame D1) our 95°F are no big problem.  The vest must be worn on the outside, and not too tight anyway. If a remember correctly your fist should fit between the vest and your belly. The vest is quite sturdy, I notice no flutter up to my 85mph.

[kingoffleece]

I have the Helight vest.  It's fairly loose and I get enough air in summer with a vented jacket.

[cloudbase]

I have a Hit-Air jacket and a vest as well.  The jacket has been semi-retired, and the vest goes over the Roadcrafter jacket.

[Moparnut72]

My wife has been ragging on me to get one. One of her friends hit a deer last summer while wearing one and escaped with only a broken rib. He figured he may have died if he hadn't had it on.
kk

[Ncdan]

The concept is spot on and is definitely a good idea. However for me personally it would probably be like the BPV issued back in the day, I just simply couldn’t tolerate wearing it all the time and I’d probably be the same with the air vest. That said, if one can afford it and tolerate wearing it it’s probably a great addition to the standard safety gear.

[LowRyter]

I want one.  I'm only afraid I'll forget I have it on, get off the bike to run to the toilet ....

.....and PPPPPpppppppHHHHHT !!!!!!!   

[rschrum]

My wife bought me one of these. I don't ride without it.

[Gliderjohn]

Seriously considering one of these things as I am now 65 and literally thin skinned and bruise very easy. Appreciate the thread and the feedbacks.
GliderJohn

[AJ Huff]

Other than difference in price, the choice between an air bag best vs air bag jacket, is one more desirable or advantageous that the other?

-AJ

[cloudbase]

Other than difference in price, the choice between an air bag best vs air bag jacket, is one more desirable or advantageous that the other?

-AJ

It's going to boil down to personal preference.  My jacket was heavy and not well vented.  While it was water resistant, it wasn't water proof, and got kind of soggy after a whole day in the rain.  The move to the vest allowed me to have the Roadcrafter's venting and water proof attributes and still have the extra advantage of the airbag.

[egschade]

I understand the need for added protection but am still on the fence. Thinking that a rib vest is sufficient for now. $25 on Amazon

[LongRanger]

I’ve been using a Helite Turtle vest since 2018. It’s part of my ATGATT kit and I wouldn’t ride without it. It has deployed once and saved me. My only regret was not carrying a spare CO2 cartridge at the time so I could rearm it. Now I do. Three bikes, three tethers.

[Vagrant]

Does the helite use a standard cheap co2

[usedtobefast]

I've thought about these too ... but ... any real proof that they work?  Meaning, know anyone that crashed, that would have most likely been a rib breaker crash (requires guessing/speculation) but their airbag vest saved them from injury?

[egschade]

I've thought about these too ... but ... any real proof that they work?  Meaning, know anyone that crashed, that would have most likely been a rib breaker crash (requires guessing/speculation) but their airbag vest saved them from injury?

Here's a testimonial that ran on Motorcycle.com https://www.motorcycle.com/editorial-2/why-ill-never-ride-without-a-motorcycle-airbag-again.html

[cloudbase]

I've thought about these too ... but ... any real proof that they work?  Meaning, know anyone that crashed, that would have most likely been a rib breaker crash (requires guessing/speculation) but their airbag vest saved them from injury?

I will personally vouch for their effectiveness.

[LongRanger]

Does the helite use a standard cheap co2

I don’t know if they’re “standard,” but they’re about $25-$30 each depending on the size of your vest. I buy mine from Revzilla. And extra tethers, one per bike, are a couple of bucks each.

I too can vouch for the effectiveness of the Helite Turtle. This isn’t unlike a helmet vs. no helmet debate. Which do you prefer?

[drdwb]

I have 2 seasons on my Hit Air coat, never gone off inadvertently. Carry spare cartridge havent even tested it. I too will take their word it works. A couple friends also have them and they tested them. They blow up as advertised. I purchased the coat vs the vest because when I tried the vest over my Aerostitch it just seemed to bulky. I do miss the rain protection and air vents of the Stitch, but it’s a trade off I’m living with. I believe the Ideal would be Aerostitch with the airbag inside, but I don’t see that coming.

[Canuck750]

I have been seriously thinking about getting an airbag jacket or vest, the one concern I have is forgetting to untether it once I stop and get off the bike, like at a gas station. If the bike is stationary how easy is for for the system to deploy from a yank on the tether?

[Markcarovilli]

I have been seriously thinking about getting an airbag jacket or vest, the one concern I have is forgetting to untether it once I stop and get off the bike, like at a gas station. If the bike is stationary how easy is for for the system to deploy from a yank on the tether?

This is no problem- I have one and do it all the time, forget.  It will tug you to let you know and I’ve never set it off.  Now if you jump off and run like you can’t hold it in to get to bathroom, then all bets are off....

I have vest and find it versatile to put over different gear.

Mark

[Canuck750]

This is no problem- I have one and do it all the time, forget.  It will tug you to let you know and I’ve never set it off.  Now if you jump off and run like you can’t hold it in to get to bathroom, then all bets are off....

I have vest and find it versatile to put over different gear.

Mark

Thanks Mark!

Jim

[Moparnut72]

I wondered about that too. My wife wants me to get one.
kk

[Gliderjohn]

Higher end ones do not use tethers but sensors instead. Much like a six axis system on some motorcycles.
GliderJohn

[Bulldog9]

I have been seriously thinking about getting an airbag jacket or vest, the one concern I have is forgetting to untether it once I stop and get off the bike, like at a gas station. If the bike is stationary how easy is for for the system to deploy from a yank on the tether?

This would be a daily occurrence for me if I wore one with a tether. I'm on the fence about them. I see the value in use, and likely would have been helpful with my one get off in 40 years of riding, but not sure I want to add another thing to think about maintaining.

I always wear a jacket with good road abrasion and padding protection including a back protector. I'm more worried about my knees and hips at this point.

But the idea is intriguing and I was reading an article about the new klim air vest, so figured I'd ask. It seems that the untethered models are going to be a daily recharge item or every other day.

As always, appreciate the dialogue and insights.

[Canuck750]

I have watched a couple different reviews / products, I like the Alpinstars Air Tech 5 Vest, not cheap but I think I am going to get one for this years riding season.

[erich]

AFAIK theory says that back protection should go from the neck to to the very end of the spine (coccyx?). I suppose that those long insectoid protectors can be worn only when riding sport style - lying on the tank. My vest promises protection from the neck to the buttocks while sitting upright (just mount the bike and pull the back flap from under you), plus some hip protection. I have no hip protection in my pants, as I leave them on for walking and sightseeing.
@ setting it off inadvertedly: the tether has to be quite short, so when rising I feel the tug immediately, before the bent knees can exert much force (happens all the time).
More important is to not forget to close the tether before riding ;) 
The system (Helite Turtle) is analog and simple. Instructions say to weigh the cartridges before the riding season. Did it on our kitchen scales.
I do not know if the vest will work as expected, it is more a matter of doing the right thing and peace of mind (and laziness).