So, this weekend I went looking for one piece Leathers for a forthcoming trackday. To cut a long story short I had not considered the "Air" protection option but having spent some time chatting to a sales person I can appreciate the benefits of such a system even though I would suggest the price point is still well above what the average punter would accept and that includes me. However I did leave the shop wondering if its something I should give some more thought to. The Alpinestars Tech Air starts at about £1800 for base garment which contains the airbag system, cannisters, sensing technology etc. The Dainese system has it built into the leathers/textiles and starts at about £1750. The main advantages/disadvantage of each system are as follows; Alpinestars Tech Air Base jacket contains the clever stuff approx. £1000. This then works with a compatible leathers/textiles so you can swap between top layers. A one piece set of leathers starts at £850 or £880 for textile jacket but the base system can be worn with both. 2 canister system, so you can have two discharges before returning the system to Alpinestars for refurb at £300, this includes "reasonable" repairs to you leather or textiles. Dainese D-Air Leathers or Textiles contain the technology and airbags so it is dedicated. You would have to pay £1750 for your leathers and then the same again for a textile system. Its a one shot system and from memory it is cheaper to return to Dainese for refurb than Alpinestars charges. There is a 12Hz GPS logging system built into the technology, the analysis software is a free download which would make it interesting for those doing trackdays. Given that this is a a very expensive system the marketing strategy appears to be focussed on the approach that a) It reduces injury and b) time off work and loss of income which may be significantly more than the cost of the D-Air/Tech-Air outlay I haven't committed to buying anything yet but it certainly made me think twice. I would be interested in hearing views on this technology, has anybody on here used this technology or own a a set of leathers/textiles? I'd be interested in other peoples perspective?
Just to confuse you further, there is another product, a stand alone vest by Helite, specifically designed for track riders. Means you can use your existing leathers, the vest has replaceable panels in the areas most damaged by an off and it can deploy several 100 times without requiring a return to manufacturer. Initiation gas canisters are about £18. I am friends with the UK dealer and he is passionate about the product. You can even get the vest made in colours to match your leathers. Andy
Yes. If you are going to the ExCel this weekend, they will be there. Carole wears the Turtle with the integrated back protector for the road and I know probably upwards of 30 TVAM riders have them. We’ve had about 3 offs with the vest in the club and no injuries so far. When I finally get my arse in gear and get over to the Hideout for a 2 piece, I’ll be getting the race version for track days. Andy
Who are TVAM? What sort of accidents were the 3off? Were they over the bonnet type stuff or dropping the bike while stationary at traffic lights
Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists, an IAM affiliated group. 1 at low speed on ice approaching a junction and I believe the other 2 were avoidance accidents at non motorway but injury inducing speeds. If you look on YouTube there are a number of promotional videos. The design of the vests have moved on a little since the videos but the constant is that when inflated, the vest restricts the movement of the head and neck from side to side and backwards. Andy
Ive been looking at the videos, it appears to be a more cost effective solution than Dainese and Alpinestars.
The non integrated solution is just that. Steve Parrish has jumped on the bandwagon and is offering a rebranded Helite with his corporate logo for track days. Not the prettiest of things but I have seen it worn at national level racing and I think by one of the TriOptions cup guys. Won’t be long before the compulsory air bag suits in MotoGP filter down to the BSB. I can’t see many self funded racers affording a 2 shot one-piece from Dainese or Alpinestars. Andy
This is my friend https://www.lovelifeandride.com/. You could always hire one and see how you feel. Andy
I personally wouldn’t bother with an airbag suit. From what I’ve heard they’re expensive to maintain and are a bitch to get repaired when you take an unscheduled dismount. I’d put my money in a top quality kangaroo type suit or similar myself. Unless you’ve got bags of money then by all means
I went with a made to measure Dainese Laguna Seca and the air best on top. I can mix and match with spare suit etc and the repair cost of the vest is semingly small in comparison to the D-Air
Air bag suits are mandatory for 2018 in MotoGP. I expect this requirement to filter down to national and club level racing in probably 2 or 3 years and I suspect it will be an ideal money spinner for track day providers offering air bag vests for hire, certainly in the UK not long after. Like it not, as with ACU helmets, you might be done to rather than having a choice. Andy
I recently looked into this myself. And have subsequently bought the Alpinestars V2 Tech Air one piece leathers and Tech Air Race vest that goes with it. When I asked around the Tech Air system seemed to get the nod over D-Air. It's more technologically advanced/intelligent apparently. What sealed it for me is the fact that the Tech Air is a 'stand alone' system. It is packed with data from crashes in MotoGP from the last 10 years or so. Including being smacked from a standing start. Google it for all the info, I can't be arsed to explain it all on here and my typing's slow..... The D-Air is, I believe, an older technology. And I think it works off a GPS interface. So if you get this ffs don't do a cartwheel in pit lane when you bust your PB lap time, ha ha... Yes, they're expensive. But if you can afford it and it improves your odds on not sustaining a severe injury after a big off, then its money well spent I think. Interestingly, I read air bag systems will be compulsory in BSB this year. It's only a matter of time before the HSE Nazi's make it compulsory for track days too.
I'm thinking maybe go for the Alpinstars "Missile" suit which is compatible with Tech Air but could also be used with Helite GP Air at a later date depending on what I can afford and possible changing track regs
I was told that Dainese actually make alpinestars air bags not sure how true that is but it was a guy from Dainese at the Birmingham show last year..
If you read this, https://rideapart.com/articles/dainese-v-alpinestars-battle-airbag-safety-systems, probably not. Andy
I don’t know mate I’ve heard it a fair bit. After all alpinestars don’t make a lot of their top end components. Take the inner boot for their flagship super tech boots (of which I own) the race inners are made by Daytona. Speaking of which I’m not that impressed with my super techs but that’s another story (very comfortable though)
