Ixon Vest IX-Airbag U03
RRP: £379.99 + subscription fee / www.motogear.co.uk
Originally the preserve of top-level racers, airbag technology is starting to get a lot more accessible for the wider motorcycling public. A raft of big brands have been getting in on the action, from Alpinestars and Dainese through to RST and Helite. And the latest player to get involved is Ixon.
Ixon’s Vest IX-Airbag is a clever bit of kit, which works separately from your bike jacket, meaning you can wear it with any of your existing gear (providing it fits underneath). It’s also compatible with Ixon’s Vortex 2 leather race suit, which has been specifically designed to accommodate the airbag system. More importantly, how does it work to protect you should the worst happen and you end up trading blows with the Tarmac? Incorporating In&Motion’s tried and tested airbag technology, Ixon’s airbag vest is fitted with a number of sensors to detect movement, position, speed and a number of other parameters whilst you ride, and if something does go wrong Ixon claim it’ll be able to react and inflate in less than 55 milliseconds to protect your thorax, abdomen, spine and neck. There’s also an integrated CE-approved back protector. Weighing in at 1.3kg, the wireless airbag is built from stretchy fabric and comes with a breathable 3D mesh lining inside. And its battery will last up to 20 hours at a time, according to Ixon.
It’s undergone some extensive testing before hitting the market, both on the road and track. It’s been worn and tested by some of the top riders in MotoGP, Endurance World Championship, British Superbikes and French Superbikes, and was subsequently approved by the International Road Racing Team Association. That’s not all. The second phase of testing pitched the product out to 500 unique users – including consumers, journalists and dealers – who helped to cover in excess of one million kilometres across Europe in all manner of conditions. It’s worth noting that the Ixon IX-Airbag U03 vest requires an In&Box subscription to work. You’ll be entitled to 48 hours of free protection when you receive your airbag and In&Box control unit, but after that you’ll need to fork out for either a monthly or annual subscription, which’ll set you back between £110 and £135. Alternatively, you can splash out and get a lifetime subscription for an additional £379.99.