Great idea but with limitations
Furygan Airbag vest £379.99
THE CLAIM
“Wear the airbag under any motorcycle jacket thanks to the new universal Fury Airbag System vest. The recognised, high-performance, easy-to-use technology from In&motion, inside a ventilated and thermo-regulating waistcoat developed by Furygan to optimise protection and comfort.”
THE REALITY
I’ve been wearing Furygan’s zip-in airbag vest in a couple of the French brand’s jacket for 18 months. However, this universal vest is designed to go under any jacket and uses the same In&motion technology as the zip-in, as well as by various other clothing manufacturers.
First things first; the vest itself is very comfortable. I went for one size smaller than I usually take for a snug fit with enough room for a mid-layer if needed — the bladder inflates mainly outwards.
However, this is where the limitations begin to emerge. If your chosen jacket fits you properly, then putting this on underneath will make it tight and potentially, constrictive, as it did with me in a couple of more-fitted jackets I use.
The issue is; either it will make a jacket that fits you nicely tight, or you need a jacket that’s too big for you to get this comfortable underneath — and that’s before you start allowing for expansion.
The In&motion system now offers both a race and adventure profile in addition to the road setting. I was going to try this on a recent trackday but space inside my leathers was so restricted that I wasn’t confident that if it deployed, I wouldn’t get hurt. I then went on a mild on/off-road foray and tried to set up an adventure profile but the smartphone app wouldn’t do it though I tried twice.
I have no doubt as to the effectiveness and protection offered by personal airbags; my issue is for any universal vest to work perfectly, you may need to compromise your jacket choice or fit. It would appear that integrated or garments designed specifically for jackets are the way to go.
COVERAGE
When the airbag bladder deploys, it does so from the top of the back protector to support the neck and protect the collarbone and the chest LEASE COST
You can buy the brain outright (€399 — In&motion is a French company) but most lease it and pay monthly for the services. The basic package is €12 per month; track and adventure are €8 a month extra each BRAIN POWER
Brain needs to be removed to be charged. A pain but easier in this universal vest than for jackets with integrated airbags