Best Motorcycle Airbag jackets/vests?

RandyM said:

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What does everyone think of airbag vests or jackets? Does anyone own one, if so, which one(s) do you have? A friend of mine has a Helite Turtle 2 Airbag Vest and he's been recommending it to me constantly. Any help is appreciated.

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I have been using a Hit Air vest for two years now. It’s a tethered style and after a short while it is second nature to clip in when riding. Kinda like doing up the seat belt in a car. I went this route as the replacement cylinders are cheap and a rider can replace and replace the bag themselves. So I carry a spare cylinder when I travel, just in case. But touch wood I have not actually tested how well the bag protects me in a crash.

I think this is the future, I really wish this was as common as self inflating life vests. I wear one every time I go kayaking, but for the bike we are unfortunately still a ways out. After watching Fortnight's video on them, I think the issue is with the manufacturer. Some want you to send them back in for inspection after each inflation to verify that it's still good or even worse some require you to pay a monthly fee. I think all of this is crap, and the clip in style should be more available for less money. It's not anything crazy, just a Co2 and a release lanyard... I hate the idea of people profiting off of my safety...

DarkWhiteChocolate said:

I think this is the future, I really wish this was as common as self inflating life vests. I wear one every time I go kayaking, but for the bike we are unfortunately still a ways out. After watching Fortnight's video on them, I think the issue is with the manufacturer. Some want you to send them back in for inspection after each inflation to verify that it's still good or even worse some require you to pay a monthly fee. I think all of this is crap, and the clip in style should be more available for less money. It's not anything crazy, just a Co2 and a release lanyard... I hate the idea of people profiting off of my safety...

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I used to work in the snowmobile industry and air bag vests aren’t much different from avalanche bags, except they are even more money and required to have when Mountian riding.

Datsme said:

I used to work in the snowmobile industry and air bag vests aren’t much different from avalanche bags, except they are even more money and required to have when Mountian riding.

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I just think it's not that much effort for provide a low level airbag that works 75% of the time for a low price. I don't want to download an app, I don't want to have it accidently go off and be forced to wait months for the manufacturer to inspect the vest before I can use it again. I just want a solution that gets me most of the way there and for a low cost. I'm not even sure what that looks like, but I'm tired of what's currently available and the current prices.

I get it, you have to pay for the development of systems like this, it costs money for folks to say that they can save lives, but at the end of the day I think something is better than nothing. But what do I know, I'll just keep hoping I'm not part of the 8%

In April I crashed and suffered 6 broken ribs and a broken right foot that took me to ER in southern Va. Since then I have purchased an air bag vest and have absolutely no regrets and wish I did this earlier. I really believe if I had this vest on it would've saved me a $10K+ emergency care bill. I wear it anytime I ride with passion for off-road and would suggest everyone consider this for themselves. The cartridges are inexpensive to replace.

I went with Helite Turtle vest. I now carry a smaller 1.5 liter hydration pack inside my Klim Jacket but I hear Helite is coming out with a configuration for hydrapaks pouch.

bababang said:

In April I crashed and suffered 6 broken ribs and a broken right foot that took me to ER in southern Va. Since then I have purchased an air bag vest and have absolutely no regrets and wish I did this earlier. I really believe if I had this vest on it would've saved me a $10K+ emergency care bill. I wear it anytime I ride with passion for off-road and would suggest everyone consider this for themselves. The cartridges are inexpensive to replace.

I went with Helite Turtle vest. I now carry a smaller 1.5 liter hydration pack inside my Klim Jacket but I hear Helite is coming out with a configuration for hydrapaks pouch.

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Hmm, that's a cool device, can you wear a light backpack with it? That would be nice to have when doing some spirited riding on pavement...

DarkWhiteChocolate said:

Hmm, that's a cool device, can you wear a light backpack with it? That would be nice to have when doing some spirited riding on pavement...

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Not sure about a backpack, I would contact Helite about their testing and if they would recommend.