How Many Have Purchased/will Wear Airbagvest?

[CarlS]

I think the OP could definitely wear that in Finland during the summer. If I was in that climate it would definitely be an item to consider. Might be good for some of our Canadians too. I bet there’s going to be material improvements over the next few years. I wouldn’t be surprised if a cooling system could be incorporated. My wife has MS and is heat sensitive, that could have crossover applications.

At 79 years old, I don't think on terms of the next few years. I think in terms of the next few months!! .

 

[sikatri]

At 79 years old, I don't think on terms of the next few years. I think in terms of the next few months!! .

I’m still in the next few years, being freshly retired I’m a relative youngster. It might be too late to think of a racing career though. LoL.

 

[Vector]

Great balls O fire

 

[sikatri]

I have to say @CarlS you’re an inspiration. I hope to be as active as you when and hopefully if I reach 79 and riding!

 

[CarlS]

I have to say @CarlS you’re an inspiration. I hope to be as active as you when and hopefully if I reach 79 and riding!

Thank you. Rocky is my inspiration.

 

[sikatri]

Thank you. Rocky is my inspiration.

All of y’all are! Fabulous when y’all share your experiences!

 

[CarlS]

All of y’all are! Fabulous when y’all share your experiences!

Flattery will get you everywhere!

 

[Vector]

Flattery will get you everywhere!

whatever ya old fart....LOL

 

[rodsridin]

Be free ride naked .

Tried that once. A very early lesson on what not to do on a bike.

 

[doxbike]

1½ years ago, I had the front tire on my Panamerica wash out in some sand over rocks on a forest service road, and it threw me into a rock, breaking 3 ribs, partially collapsing a lung, and partially separating a shoulder blade. 6 months later, while on my Bonnie, an asshat came at me head-on while texting on his phone, leaving me no choice but to hit the curb- landed on those same ribs. Of course, he didn't stop. Shortly after, I bought an Alpinestars Tech 5 Air Vest. Yeah, it's a little toasty when it's 100°, but at 77, this old bod can't take any more hits like that. I went for the algorithm type for reasons mentioned above. Got a great deal at Chromeburner. I wear it every time I get on the bike, in addition to ATGATT- jacket, pants, boots, and gloves, helmet.

 

[CarlS]

1½ years ago, I had the front tire on my Panamerica wash out in some sand over rocks on a forest service road, and it threw me into a rock, breaking 3 ribs, partially collapsing a lung, and partially separating a shoulder blade. 6 months later, while on my Bonnie, an asshat came at me head-on while texting on his phone, leaving me no choice but to hit the curb- landed on those same ribs. Of course, he didn't stop. Shortly after, I bought an Alpinestars Tech 5 Air Vest. Yeah, it's a little toasty when it's 100°, but at 77, this old bod can't take any more hits like that. I went for the algorithm type for reasons mentioned above. Got a great deal at Chromeburner. I wear it every time I get on the bike, in addition to ATGATT- jacket, pants, boots, and gloves, helmet.

I'm an ATGATT rider. I rode today in full gear with the temp at 93 F and the relative humidity at 76%. It was a little warm; but not unbearable. But that is the kind of weather that I don't think I could wear an air vest in. I am going to try one and see. I thank you for your report.

 

[doxbike]

I'm an ATGATT rider. I rode today in full gear with the temp at 93 F and the relative humidity at 76%. It was a little warm; but not unbearable. But that is the kind of weather that I don't think I could wear an air vest in. I am going to try one and see. I thank you for your report.

I wear ut under a Tourmaster Horizon 4 season touring jacket with liners removed up to ~ 85° and they switch to a full mesh jacket. Just need to be sure there's enough room to expand under the jacket. FWIW, these Tech 5's run small, order up a full size

 

[CarlS]

I wear ut under a Tourmaster Horizon 4 season touring jacket with liners removed up to ~ 85° and they switch to a full mesh jacket. Just need to be sure there's enough room to expand under the jacket. FWIW, these Tech 5's run small, order up a full size

Thank you for that advice. I wear a Tourmaster Draft Air mesh jacket most of the time except a few really cold days, low 50's or colder. I'll ride down to Cycle Gear in Miami and see what they have in stock.

 

[Billyh]

I’m guessing there won’t be many with actual experience. Still, I’d be interested in what they have to say. There was a video on this topic a while back and don’t recall too many positive responses. That said, it’s likely a person preference if one feels comfortable wearing one and how effective it is in reality. The latter may not have many respondents. If you do buy one, please post and tell us about your experience. You just might be the first here to actually try one.

My-

Interested in hearing responses. Don’t know if there’s any real benefit, but definitely willing to listen and learn.

I have a Helite brand 'over the leathers' airvest that I will assume saved me serious injuries when I came off a bike at 145 mph. Incident took place at the end of the straight at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wa.. 'Tethered' style vest. Front end washed under braking, so I immediately went down... hard, slid 20 to 30 yards and then tumbled for another 10 yards or so. Minor soreness in my left arm. It did it's job...best $800 ever spent. Simply replace the air cartridge and you're good to go again. Having said that I would not ride a track day without one, but I have yet to invest in a vest (it will be a sensor type) for street/ ADV riding. Something comfortable under the jacket. I must put this further up the priority list.

 

[Elliot]

I have worn the Helite overvest for 10 years - though never tried out
Pluses - cheaper, you can reload with spare canister yourself, fits over all your jackets
Minuses - need to remeber to connect tether (I have never triggered by forgetting to disconnect)
Can test discharge - cost is a new CO2 cylinder
GPS type -
pluses - no tether
minuses - needs battery charged, single jacket , sensor fault needs factory reset, inflation means factory reload,
and big question - will it work?
I have a couple of friends with Helite overvest who have triggered falling off bike in carpark, but no experience of higher speed use

 

[sikatri]

I’m glad we’re having responses from riders with experience.

 

[Bloodknot]

I would prefer the sensor type. I would use one in the winter. But in the summer heat and humidity in the southeastern US, this would be unbearable. A mesh jacket is all I can bear in the summer heat.

I like the concept for sure.

They are like a mesh jacket without sleeves. My youngest son wore his Dainese one on the recent DGR instead of his usual leather jacket. I don’t think you will find a problem wearing it with a mesh jacket either inside or outside. Some also have sleeves with armour in the usual places like Alpinestars.

 

[CarlS]

They are like a mesh jacket without sleeves. My youngest son wore his Dainese one on the recent DGR instead of his usual leather jacket. I don’t think you will find a problem wearing it with a mesh jacket either inside or outside. Some also have sleeves with armour in the usual places like Alpinestars.

I never wear a leather jacket. In this climate, you need air flow for any long distance riding. When I say I wear a mesh jacket, that is with no liners and only a moisture wicking tee shirt. Today I rode in 94 F temp with 83% relative humidity in an urban/suburban environment with heat radiating from the pavement. I don't think I could stand an airbag vest in those conditions.

 

[tdnathens]

Hi: I wear an air vest. I have been wearing one for 9 or 10 years. The brand I wear is Hit Air Moto. My vest goes over whatever you are wearing. It is designed and sized to be used that way. It has a replaceable canister and is tripped by a wire tether. I wouldn't ride the fifty foot down my driveway without one. They are priced from about $600.00 to $800.00 USA if you add the shipping and tax. They also sell jackets with air bags. Replaceable canisters cost $30.00 to $50.00 depending on how many you purchase. If you forget to unhook your tether it will not set off the air bags. It will just stop you from getting off the bike unless you somehow jump off. Whatever brand you buy you want one you can reset yourself. If you have to return your vest to rearm it, you could end up without a vest for most of the summer.
I'm speaking about street riding. I know nothing about what is best for track racing. I have gone off on a slow speed spill. It was like landing in a feather bed. I was about a thousand miles from home and in the middle of know where. In about twenty minutes we stuffed the air bags back in, installed a spare canister, picked up my bike, and were on our way. A friend of mine went off hard and hit a metal post to stop his forward motion. Several broke bones and puncture wounds. Weeks in the hospital. Surgeon told him if he wasn't wearing his Hit Vest he would have gone straight to the morgue. Never would have made it to the hospital alive. Lots of people in my area wear Hit Vests for horse riding. I have seen several of them have bad spills at 30 to 40 MPH and walk away, no injury. I still wear pads. They are hotter than my air vest.
I am getting ready to replace my air vest. It's 10 years old and getting rather worn. When I was 20 years old I rode with a tee shirt, shorts, and a worn-out pair of sneakers. Now 50 years later it's full pads, leather or Kevlar clothing, tall leather boots, gloves, good helmet, and a Hit Air vest. I find the ground and concrete seems to be a lot harder than it used to be. I hope this info helps some of you. Be safe!
Tom

 

[CarlS]

Hi: I wear an air vest. I have been wearing one for 9 or 10 years. The brand I wear is Hit Air Moto. My vest goes over whatever you are wearing. It is designed and sized to be used that way. It has a replaceable canister and is tripped by a wire tether. I wouldn't ride the fifty foot down my driveway without one. They are priced from about $600.00 to $800.00 USA if you add the shipping and tax. They also sell jackets with air bags. Replaceable canisters cost $30.00 to $50.00 depending on how many you purchase. If you forget to unhook your tether it will not set off the air bags. It will just stop you from getting off the bike unless you somehow jump off. Whatever brand you buy you want one you can reset yourself. If you have to return your vest to rearm it, you could end up without a vest for most of the summer.
I'm speaking about street riding. I know nothing about what is best for track racing. I have gone off on a slow speed spill. It was like landing in a feather bed. I was about a thousand miles from home and in the middle of know where. In about twenty minutes we stuffed the air bags back in, installed a spare canister, picked up my bike, and were on our way. A friend of mine went off hard and hit a metal post to stop his forward motion. Several broke bones and puncture wounds. Weeks in the hospital. Surgeon told him if he wasn't wearing his Hit Vest he would have gone straight to the morgue. Never would have made it to the hospital alive. Lots of people in my area wear Hit Vests for horse riding. I have seen several of them have bad spills at 30 to 40 MPH and walk away, no injury. I still wear pads. They are hotter than my air vest.
I am getting ready to replace my air vest. It's 10 years old and getting rather worn. When I was 20 years old I rode with a tee shirt, shorts, and a worn-out pair of sneakers. Now 50 years later it's full pads, leather or Kevlar clothing, tall leather boots, gloves, good helmet, and a Hit Air vest. I find the ground and concrete seems to be a lot harder than it used to be. I hope this info helps some of you. Be safe!
Tom

Thank you very much for your post. I appreciate the info.