BAG SOME EXTRA BODY PROTECTION
LAST week, the International Motorcycling Federation announced that from this season all MotoGP riders must wear race suits fitted with airbag systems. Of course, many racers have been using airbag technology for some time now.
Innovators in the field have been leading riding gear manufacturer Alpinestars. The Italian firm sponsors and supplies MotoGP teams Repsol Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Red Bull KTM. Riders wearing Alpinestars suits include 2017 champion Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Brit Cal Crutchlow.
The company’s airbag technology is also available to us mere mortal riders. The range includes Tech Air Race and Tech Air Street. Both systems use a vest which is worn underneath a compatible outer garment.
Incorporated within the back protector of the vest is a small control unit which receives information from sensors in the shoulders and mid-back. In the event of a crash, the system deploys in milliseconds – well before the rider impacts with anything else.
The airbags protect the back, shoulders, kidney and chest area. The Race system – for track day and ‘performance’ riders – is used with one of the firm’s all-in-one race suits or leather jackets.
I have been using the Street system, along with the Valparaiso jacket and trousers. First impression when you get your hands on the vest is that it’s heavy. It weighs 4.5lb, but don’t be put off – once you put it on and especially once you are riding, it really isn’t noticeable.
The vest attaches easily to the inside of the jacket using colour-coded zips. The jacket itself is an excellent all-weather textile affair, with leather panels on the shoulders and sleeves, plus a removable thermal liner.
Switch on and three LEDs on your left sleeve inform you of the status of the system. Zipping up and velcrofastening the jacket puts it in standby mode and it becomes fully active once it detects you are riding.
The battery gives about 25 hours of use before recharge, which takes six hours. However, just an hour of charging provides about six hours of use.
As someone who was involved in a major smash not so long ago, I can honestly say that riding while wearing the Tech Air system definitely made me feel safer, more relaxed and more confident.
Just a glance down at the little glowing LEDs on your forearm is enough to reassure you, and the knowledge you have that added level of safety just makes your ride that much more enjoyable.
Tech Air Street vest, £999. Valparaiso jacket, £640