Air bag device effectiveness

[Checkswrecks]

Been at the SAE World Congress / convention this week and got to sit in on some motorcycle safety seminars. One was about data regarding air bag vests and had not realized how much positive affect they had on accident outcomes. This included data from a study of accident data, crash dummies and cadavers. (PMHS or post mortem human subjects, typically did in their 80s)

And just to get the old assumption out of the way, “other drivers” is not even close to being a major player in accident causality. I wasn’t taking notes but more than half are roadway departures and loss of control was also large. Overall third had alcohol out other impairment involved. The data that does say another vehicle was involved does not say which was at fault but it was striking how many photos were head on collisions showing motorcycles in the left lane of right hand curves.

Getting back to the subject, simple frontal collisions (iirc) at 40 kph (24 mph) reduced broken ribs (they puncture internal organs) from 97% to 70%.
Neck injuries were reduced by larger numbers.

Really kicking myself for not shooting photos of slides or taking notes but below is an older study with similar findings. https://www.ircobi.org/wordpress/downloads/irc19/pdf-files/76.pdf

Dirt Dad and I bought cable operated Helite inflatable vests probably five or six years ago and I’ve had to repack mine twice. Toward the end of last season I’d gotten lazy but after this conference I’m a believer again.

 

[JJTJ2]

I have been looking at these for a couple of years. I am leaning towards Klim's air vest but every time I look, they are out of stock.

 

[Checkswrecks]

While good that Klim, alpinestar, and Dianese open faster (20 vs 100 ms) they also require a subscription with a monthly or annual fee and need to be sent in for repacking if they open.

 

[Strummer]

I have bought mine 3-4 years ago after asking some members here. (Like it or not somethings in the USA are years ahead the rest of the world...)
Mine is manufactured by an Italian company, motoairbag, and at the time it was the one with the biggest litres once opened.
I chose mechanical over gps because I am mostly riding on mountain where there is not signal coming ...

 

[Sierra1]

I'm not sure I quite understand these. I was looking at them and had thought that they went over a jacket. It looks like they go under the jacket. And the one I was looking at only went up to 2XL. I'm a 3-4XL depending on where stuff is made. Or does one need to have one for under and a jacket version?

Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Airbag System | 18% ($139.96) Off! - RevZilla
Helite Free-Air Mesh Airbag Jacket - RevZilla

 

[bimota]

i have a dainese D-AIR gen 2 where it regular love the no cord thing and how it arms its self at the start of the engine and d arms itself
when you turn it off and walk away, been wearing it for 3-4 yrs now

rob

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'm not sure I quite understand these. I was looking at them and had thought that they went over a jacket. It looks like they go under the jacket. And the one I was looking at only went up to 2XL. I'm a 3-4XL depending on where stuff is made. Or does one need to have one for under and a jacket version?

Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Airbag System | 18% ($139.96) Off! - RevZilla
Helite Free-Air Mesh Airbag Jacket - RevZilla

Kinda like a box of chocolates, they come in a wide variety. The vests to wear outside your jacket are the least expensive and well proven. There are manufacturers who make the bladder system as part of the jacket, and I believe some can be worn inside of outer gear.

They can fit fairly loose so my guess is that you’d do fine in the Helite XL-L. It’s also one of those things where exact fit is not really critical. Have any motorcycle gear shops to try one at? A Cycle Gear near us has a demonstrator.

 

[Sierra1]

Our dealerships now are lucky to have helmets and tires, nevermind these.

 

[POG]

I have a friend who had a collision with a left turning vehicle recently.he was wearing an airbag vest of some kind and it protected him well. That's got me thinking about getting one. From what I've read/heard, the tethered vests operate at any speed, but if you stay with your bike in a low side spill, it may not deploy. The remote vests use accelerometers and such to sense a crash, but they don't work at low speed (how low, i am unsure). They will, however deploy in a low side event.

I'm leaning toward a Helite.

How do these vests feel in the heat?

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Madhatter]

adding a vest is another layer and may restrict some air flow , so might increase some discomfort . but they keep hospital rooms really cool .
now having said that I do not own a airbag vest . its on my list and sadly for years , but I keep waiting , they are not cheap . should move it to priority purchase . and I know there is no excuse for not improving ones safety . shame on me .

 

[POG]

They are pricey, no question about it, and i agree that is an inhibitor. However, i am going to make it a priority and get one ordered this week. At 60, the invincibility of youth has fled. I need all the help I can get. Thanks for this thread - it helped to motivate me.

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[Fennellg]

I have been an advocate for years. Don’t know current prices. I have had mine for over 10 years. I marvel how people will spend for a helmet but not a vest. I always ask the same question. What’s being able to walk worth to you.

These things were first invented and used for horse back riding. Had Christopher Reeves been wearing one, he very well would have had and a much better future.

Fortnine no longer uses armour. He does use an airbag vest.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Fred in the first video used to be a member here. Total PITA

 

[Fennellg]

Well even a broke clock is right twice a day.