...anyone using the aftermarket ones? Especially on track. Seem to be quite a range now and starting to come down in price and easily reinflated.
I use a Helite system. Attached by a pull cord between the bike and you and inflates in milli seconds. Basic waistecoat starts at about £450 and a replacement giant sized sparklets bulb is £18. No limit on the number of inflations and the track version has exchangeable panels for the ones that take the damage. Carole has used one for over a year so it's second nature to wear. Lots of videos on YouTube and we know the UK supplier. Andy
What would happen if you forgot to 'unplug' yourself when you parked up? Would it go off then as you get off the parked bike? Just wondering. Stuart
You are looking at a 30kg pull to deploy the air bag part of the waistcoat and the supplied strap has an elasticated portion for a little give. Neither Carole nor I have inadvertently set the bag off .... yet. Andy
Do the leathers need a little more room in them to add the after market products? I have a one piece alpinestars in the loft which I'd like to drag out again next year with the idea of doing more track days, it's a tight fit though as it's what has always been advised. Wouldn't cramming in the air bag system make it uncomfortable, but also on inflation wouldn't that be dangerous as with so little room pressure would either build on my skeletal frame or the seams of the suit?
As Andy says you wear this one over. But some (and mostly really expensive ones) can go under and it’s best to have them fitted while wearing the bag. I like the idea of an over one tho, as you can use it on road and track
If you want to try before you buy, the chap I know, hires a vest. I would need to check but IIRC, I paid £20 for a long weekend when Carole’s one was on it’s way to Spain. Andy
If anyone wants to find out more information, https://www.lovelifeandride.com/ Andy Best declare that I know Nick well but am happy to recommend his service and the product on their own merits
I needed some new leathers and ended up going the whole hog. I bought a set of Alpinestars Tech Air leathers with vest. Not cheap but excellent. The vest replaces your back protector (as it has one of its own). The fit is fine but it's a chew getting them on (maybe because they're new) and leathers and vest combined are quite heavy! PS You don't need to go up a size in leathers in order to accommodate the airbag.
If you can get a back protector in there easily enough you should be ok with an airvest. I'd say the airvest is slightly bulkier but not much...
