Airbag motorcycle vest: guide and comparison

Le motorcycle vest with airbag necessary equipment to ensure the safety of bikers. While the airbag design was originally intended for astronauts, the device was transferred to the automotive industry to provide optimal protection for drivers and passengers in the event of a collision.

Later, manufacturers of two-wheeled vehicles also adopted this concept with the aim of minimizing personal injury in the event of an accident.

Pioneers of the motorcycle airbag market

The Motorcycle Airbag Vest has quickly made a name for itself in the field of road safety worldwide.

Japan, the first manufacturer of motorcycle airbag vests

In 1995, the Japanese company pioneered the airbag vest market by obtaining a patent for its brand. Introduced to the market in 1998, the device was first targeted at riders. Several years later, significant improvements were made to adapt the model to the safety of two-wheeled vehicles.

France follows suit

In 2006, the French brand took advantage of this concept to obtain the CE certification for the motorcycle airbag vest in France. Then, around 2011, another company entered the French market, taking on the same design spirit of the Japanese brand.

Italians enter the market

For their part, Italian equipment makers such as Spidi, Motoairbag and Dainese have also entered the market since the 2000s to sell personal safety devices for motorcyclists. Thus, in the list of pioneers of motorcycle airbags, brands can be named:

• Hit Air in Japan,
• helite in France,
• AllShot in France.

Technical details about different generations

The airbag motorcycle vest is available in three generations depending on its specifications. We can then differentiate between first, second and third generation equipment.

First generation airbag vest

The first generation motorcycle airbag vest features a cable that connects the device to the two-wheeled vehicle. Its principle of operation is based on the fact that the rider must be attached to his vehicle every time he rides it. This is not necessarily ideal in the event of an accident, because the rider will not be able to easily lift off the bike and will have to fall with it.

Second generation airbag vest

Towards the end of 2010, the second-generation airbag motorcycle vest was introduced. If you abandon the wired equipment, it works on a radio-controlled system. Thus, the connection between the vest and the motorcycle is ensured by the presence of several sensors installed on the vehicle.

Third generation airbag vest

This latest generation of motorcycle airbags is completely wired. Thus, it works autonomously thanks to sensors installed in the driver's jacket or jacket. The device consists of three interactive elements:

• le gyroscopesthat evaluate the angles,
• accelerometersthat are responsible for detecting impacts,
• CPUthat analyze all parameters.

How much does an airbag motorcycle vest cost?

The price of such a security device mainly depends on its generation. Thereby,

• first generation vest available on the market at prices ranging from 400 to 700 euros;
• vest of the second generation costs at least 900 euros, but the price can go up to 2.900 euros;
• Note that today this type of vest is practically absent on the market.
• vest of the third generation costs from 700 to 3.200 euros.

Why wear an airbag motorcycle vest?

For the biker, wearing an airbag vest only has the following benefits:

• it protects parts of the body that are not necessarily covered with normal protective equipment, namely: the chest, the area between the cervical vertebrae and the coccyx, as well as the spine and its parts.
• protects vital parts of the body, especially those that contain the most sensitive organs.

After all, an accident can cause more or less serious damage. In the worst case, the rider can face sudden death if vital parts are not well protected. At best, an unprotected motorcyclist runs the risk of serious injury or even injury that could lead to life-long consequences. Good to know: These lesions most often affect the lower extremities, because in most cases these areas of the body are not protected by special equipment.

Some reference products

Here are some reference products to help you choose your motorcycle airbag vest:

• AllShotShield which uses a wire system to protect the neck, chest and back as well as the rider's ribs. Weighing 950 g, it records filling times of less than 100 ms. It costs about 50 euros.
• Bering C-Protect Air belongs to the same category of wired equipment. Protects the cervical coccyx as well as the abdominal and chest parts. It weighs 1.300 g and can inflate in 0.1 seconds. Its price is around 370 euros. Thanks to the electronic starting system
• Hi-Airbag Connect works completely autonomously. Weighing almost 2 kg, it provides optimal protection for the spine and cervical region as well as the entire chest and abdomen. Its price ranges from 700 to 750 euros.