Hit-air Black Motorcycle Vest £425

www.hitairuk.co.uk THIS LIGHTWEIGHT AIRBAG vest uses a tether beneath the saddle that clips to a lanyard attached to a CO2 cylinder on the front of the vest. It adjusts with Velcro for a good fit and doesn’t impede movement on the bike as there are plenty of open sections and you barely notice it’s on. It doesn’t come with back or chest protectors but there is the option to add them or wear it over a jacket that already has them.

In a crash, when the rider separates from the bike the lanyard is yanked from the CO2 cylinder, inflating the vest. I haven’t tried this. I have forgotten to unclip when getting off the bike: it won’t go off accidentally like that. So Martin swung on the lanyard and, with a short pop, the vest inflated virtually instantly – less than a second. There was a firm squeeze and the spars of the vest were solid. Would it save me in a crash? I’m sure I’d fare better than if I wasn’t wearing one.

Re-arming the vest takes less than five minutes. Deflate the airbag, popper it back into its pockets, fit a new CO2 canister (£18) and replace the lanyard. Simple. And much cheaper than the £190/three-week service needed on a Dainese airbag jacket after it gets set off. SW

Hit-air vest is open design and works well sitting over a normal jacket with traditional armour and protection

Additional security offered as the vest inflates in less than a second

Lanyard tethers vest to bike