curious if you asked your cycle insurance if they cover the "re-pack" fee as it was damaged in the crashed and saved them tons of money on the medical side?
there’s a comment on Revzilla that a person’s insurance DID reimburse someone. In my experience when it’s not your fault and you deal with the OTHER GUYS insurance; they are the biggest jerks in the world.
You can never stress wearing gear enough. For noobs, even wearing it around town is important. I'm so glad gear is getting lighter, better and more comfortable for around town riders. Great to see your still on two feet and able to keep riding. :)
Got mine few months ago and I literally won't ride without it now. $700 bucks is worth it if it saves you body, bones, pain, valuable riding time, and I'm sure your family will appreciate the extra protection. If you ride street often, I'd say it's worth while.
Currently recovering from a crash where I had head to toe gear on. Dainese leather armored jacket, motoport armored pants, shoei helmet, and Forma riding boots. Still broke collar bone, shoulder blade, rib, and both bones in left lower leg. Hit the ground somewhere between 30 and 40mph avoiding a vehicle that came into my lane and didn't hit a car or any other objects. Wish I had an airbag vest on because would have likely avoided the upper body injuries. Thanks for the review! Definitely worth the investment if it saves an ambulance ride, hospital bills, etc.
Sorry about your crash, and wishing you a quick recovery. Obviously, there's no guarantee an airbag is going to prevent you from having any injuries, but it definitely helps.
$180,000 in hospital bills and 7 ribs broken in a little get off in the Catskills. Had full armor protection and leathers. Not a scratch, but I landed on a pile of river rock under my left arm. Had a forcefield sub 4 back protector, Vanson leather gp pants, and Knox handroid gloves. My gloves were destroyed in the crash, hands were perfect, no damage. The only part of me not protected was under my arms! Who knew. Buy the vest and save $180,000!
The recorded telemetry is the money. I think it helps the confusion and mystery of what happens to a fallen rider and why they survived or didn't for their families and hopefully developers to improve upon the unit. Both quality and affordability
Just got myself this vest and a new alpinestars jacket. Why? Because I crashed last season and sustained 3 broken ribs, collapsed lung, crushed spleen and severe bruising. And that was a 45 mph high side crash, no clowning. I'm serious about top of the line gear. My hospital bill was $150,000. $7000 out of pocket. GET THE VEST.
I just got into a crash with this and it totally worked. did a high side somersault over the bars and hit the pavement at 20mph or so. gently put me down on the ground. will never ever ride without this system.
I bought my vest in June, it was one of the first in Dallas where I live. A few weeks later riding in the mountains of NC, I rode off onto a gravel shoulder. When I stopped my foot slipped and I dropped the bike. I ended up sitting on the ground, and my vest inflated. Not good. Alpinestars agreed it should not have gone off, recharged it for free, and updated the software. I think they will keep refining the software as more riders use it. I don't ride anywhere without it.
Any negative side effect from the vest inflating? Cause any minor injury? - Or just the inconvenience? Nice to hear they recharged for free... Thanks for sharing.
I’ve had the HitAir go off twice, and the Tech 5 once. I never felt them go off. The shock of falling takes your total attention and you really don’t notice when they go off.
That is so fucking awesome how well it worked when you needed it. It's one thing to show a PoC demo at some press event or something, but seeing a real world scenario like this and it reacting as it's supposed to and having really good effects is really awesome to see.
@@TroySiahaan Of course, but it's always great to see what the gear does in a real world situation, not some cooked up PoC engineering demonstration that may or may not reflect reality. Your sacrifice for the sake of the review is appreciated :-P. Glad you weren't hurt. Seeing the data after like that is awesome, too. This shit feels like the future.
@@windyrun7979 Yes, the Oscar Charlie. The compatible jackets are designed with the airbag in mind, so IMO it fit like a normal jacket, only with the airbag inside.
One obvious feature that should be included in the software is automatic emergency calling in case of severe impact. Another thing is a vest like this should come as a modular one, so you can incorporate shoulder and elbow protectors which will allow you to just put a tear resistant jacket on top.
Airbags are a great idea! I bought the tethered Helite Turtle 2 last year mainly due to its simple construction, lack of batteries/computers etc. Also think it can deploy about 6 times before you need to send it back (as long as its not physically damaged). I think the non-tethered ones will be even better in the near future as more people start wearing them and they overcome the minor bugs. Either way I think they are great value for what they offer.
@@firstbloood1 he was still in the air while he was still connected to the bike. But pretty sure he'll be disconnected by the time he hits the ground. Anyway, there is that possibility.
Currently researching airbag systems following hitting a deer last month. I have so many broken ribs, and collarbone (plus lung injuries). I credit all my gear for protecting me so well, but the weak points were torso and collarbone protection. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm sorry you had to put the vest to use!
I love that you actually had an experience in this bag. I am definitely saving for one. This summer I am buying a full set of gear, and next spring I am putting a substantial down payment financing a ninja 400. Ride on, and stay safe!
Great video. Review from genuine experience. I’m glad it worked out as a good investment! Maybe we should be viewing this as just as important as a helmet.
I went with a hitair tethered airbag. Since it goes over my Dainese riding leathers it allows for airflow and provides excellent neck coverage. No electronics to worry about with wet weather. Great review, and I agree whatever airbag people choose it can make a huge difference in an accident. If your using an airbag in conjunction with quality riding gear and body armor that's the best combo..
I have a Helite vest and a Hitair jacket. I prefer the tether system on the Helite. Let’s be honest, no airbag vest is going to flow much air. If they did, they wouldn’t work. For me it gets unbearable at about 90 or 85 if it’s humid.
The problem with this airbag is there is no neck coverage. In that example crash the riders neck wouldve snapped and instant brain damage... im all for airbags but you need neck protection as well as lower back protection! Otherwise its useless
There is some neck coverage, differs from vest to vest. I've got one from Held with tether and there is a distinct part that inflates at the upper back at the lower part of the neck. If it inflates it restricts neck and head movement because the bottom of the helmet would bump against it.
Great review and with an actual crash too! Most reviewers can’t claim that. Major kudos for that. I’m leaning towards getting 2 airbag vests for me and my wife. Probably the tech-air 5 because I believe it has the best coverage of AI airbags. Since I don’t have medical insurance, I have to buy great protection. Unfortunately, living in SE Asia, nobody will ship vests to me but I’ll pick up a couple when I’m back in Europe.
Yes. Very cool. Recently I hit a deer at 60 mph which totalled my bike. I also broke my ankle and my gear saved me from much worse injury. But the interesting thing is I have little to no upper body damage to my gear and me. Next time I get a bike I will get an airbag. But I also learned that almost 1/2 motorcycle injuries result in lower body injury. Even with excellent boots I was seriously injured but my armor mesh pants did save my knee from being blown out.
I wish I didn't have to test safety gear the hard way, either! But now that I have it just reaffirms my belief that everyone should wear an airbag when they ride. It doesn't matter which one.
It would be nice if insurance carriers covered the cost of returning a deployed vest to service. I had a slow low side in a tethered Hitair. It deployed, but I doubt I would have been injured without it. The tech definitely makes me feel safer. 100% worth the cost, IMO.
Write them a letter. They probably don't even know this tech exists really (at least in mass production). I'm sure they'd love to cover it and probably even deduct your bodily injury coverage cost a bit like they do for cars with more airbags and what-not.
Very interesting vid & good to know it really works even if you had to find out the hard way! Also good you're not injured & walked away too. I'm really considering one of these.
I was debating between this and the Dainese smart jacket. Now I am thinking of getting this because it provides better coverage from what I can tell. I am 6 ft tall and 230..
My parents ride, they're in their 60's. I've been trying to get them to replace their back pads with these but they won't spend the money. I ride a cargo bicycle and frequently bike-pack long distances on the highway so I wear an airbag vest and a helmet with a chin bar. I might not be going at a high speed but everyone else around me is.
I have the Dainese Smart Jacket and I hate it, even though its the lightest of the airbag jackets. I do wear it when I go on longer, higher speed rides but if I'm running a quick errand I forego it. Of course I should always be wearing it but I feel like the Michelin man to the point that riding really isn't that enjoyable, specifically for 15 minutes to the shops.
People saying it’s expensive: consider the lifelong injuries and pains that you may keep after an accident. I have one from snapped collarbone. Less mobility and strength in that shoulder, and I can feel that during long hikes or climbs. Luckily it doesn’t really limit my life. But were my accident more severe, it might have been. Thanks for the vid, I would definitely buy one when I get back into riding.
good to see this review and glad that you were saved. I have to say though that it's almost a cliche that in the video account of the accident, in the aftermath it seems that more attention was given to the state of the bike than the person. That old joke about the banged up guy in the ER asking: 'what happened to the bike ?'
You shown us a nice chart that has the details of your crash analyzed and pretty much dissected. How much does the service cost to do that, or is it a separate program you buy and you plug in afterwards, how does that work? Thanks
Great demo and details! Happy to see you are safe after that hit. What are the models of the two jackets you have in the back? For chest 41-42 inches what size do you recommend the Tech Air 5 size, and the jackets you have? Thank you!
Is it advisable to wear a good leather jacket (non stretching type) on top of this airbag? Even with 4cm space, wouldn't the airbag compress the body if the leather jacket prevents the airbag expansion?
There Are special leather jackets from Alpinestars which YOU can wear on top of tech air system.. That way, you can invest in a jacket, and then in an airbag when you have a bit more of money, you don’t need to buy the whole set instantly..
I’ve spoke with a Dainese dealer and they say their airbag is the only certified as airbag while the other are just “protector” because obviously they have the back protector certification. He also said that their technology is the way to go due to the construction of the bag. Imagine inflating a ballon and try to punch it hard while holding it to the desk, inevitably you will end up with your fist smashing the desk because the air inside the balloon will move on the side of your wrist, instead with the Dainese technology the balloon is stitch together so that the balloon can not transfer the air volume to the side of your fist. Apply this to the airbag technology and you will think that they are actually right. I’d like to know your opinion about that! I hope you understood me
What a great idea though something tells me that it doesnt come in my size. My riding jacked is a 5x and leather jacket is a 6x. Hard to find things in my size. Glad youre doing ok after the crash!!
It's a pity that it doesn't use in sme way co2 canisters. That way if you have a slight tumble like overbalancing while stationary, and not a bad accident you could deflate it, swapp canisters and continue your ride.
I haven't done the testing myself, but FWIW, Alpinestars says the combined back protector and airbag in the Tech-Air 5 is roughly the equivalent to 18 back protectors.
I needed that. I was going 25 and was hit by a car going around 10 mph and I fractured 8 ribs broke my collarbone and punctured a lung. The guy ran a red light 😡
Thanks! I noticed in the video the person (at 5:20) seems to be wearing a regular Alpinestars GP Plus R V3 jacket (not Rideknit) and it appears to work well with the Tech-Air 5. However, only the Rideknit version of this jacket is now listed on Alpinestars website for compatibility with this airbag system. Can you perhaps elaborate on this? I wonder if it is still worth using the Tech-Air 5 with the regular one.
Hi friend , what your size and weight, i crashed lastweek with a pro armor jacket dainese , but i broke my clavicule, next buy is a airbag , doubt inbetween dainese or alpine...thanks great Review!
I have a Tech-Air5, great feeling to know it'll help out during a crash. $700 Beans, from Revzilla and use Affirm to pay it off in installments. $70 bucks a month, and with that small of a payments, make two payments a month and pay it off early, and save on interest $$$$$
Glad you are ok. I’m interested in an airbag system. What was the deciding factor in going with the tech 5 in lieu of the tech air compatible jacket route or even the Dainese D air?
How would you compare to the air bag vests available? I have an expensive suit and thinking it would be a wide add on. Super happy you're okay after that wreck!
Honestly, I haven't tried the other vests from other manufacturers so I don't know. Sorry. However, I also wear an airbag in my leathers whenever I'm on the track. The Tech-Air Race gives you two deployments before you have to send it back for repacking. The Tech-Air 5 just has one.
If you have a highside and you're flying through the air, you're eventually going to make impact with the ground at some point. So yes, the airbag will deploy.
ugh, I already bought my danise leather jacket and it's a pretty snug fit as it is, I had to lose about 10 lbs, (which I needed to do anyways) so it wasn't so damned tight. How much more am I going to have to lose to put this under the thing now! How much room DO these take up for those who have jackets already, if it sizes you up, that could be an issue.
These things deploy for no reason. Those of you who are thinking about buying one, please remember to pull the velcro tab to disable the airbag before you get off your bike.
It's written in the manual that you should DISABLE the System when attempting wheelies or others stunts, you can read it yourself since you purchased it already but yeah, MAYBE after some software upgrades in the future we will be notified that it's safe to wheelie with the system enabled but I certainly doubt that :D
The humankind is so intelligent they pay 30.000 euro for panigale, but for them paying 600 euro to an airbagvest to much...they tend to wait for one year to heal a collarbone instead of just few bruises...we are very clever animals
I appreciate the video but as a friend of a person who had one of these and had to use it, please tell the story of what it's like to get recharged assuming that yours wasn't damaged in the accident. The point from my friends view was that all their brands may be better in the event that you're able to recharge and reuse the suit. This is not to say that the Alpine stars is bad as he had a different major brand air vest.
Alpine Stars customer service is terrible. Just dealt with them over a problem with the Tech air 5 and a jacket. My impression... fuck you Alpine Stars!
I wonder if the EUC can discriminate or learn different uses. Like if you want to use the vest while on quad, or an electric unicycle. Or even something like a snow/ice sled. I don't like the idea of the app and tours, everyone is doing this, so as a rider you can end up with multiple apps tracking your route. This ends up being invasive and unnecessary.
I probably could have ridden home, if the bike didn't have a giant hole in the engine case. But just to be safe, I took a couple weeks to chill out and get my mind right. I did see my doctor, to be 100% sure there was nothing wrong.