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Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets |
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File under New Products Safety
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Paris, France
Comments:
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There used to be a time, not so long ago, that airbags were a novelty in cars. Now, no-one would buy a car without airbags. Then a few manufacturers started offering an airbag slipover vest for motorcycle jackets. The first ones took too long to inflate and were bulky.
But today things seem to have changed and airbags are slowly becoming mainstream for motorcycles. There are now several motorcycle jacket manufacturers that are offering integrated airbags. In other words, the jackets have not been modified to incorporate airbags, but have been produced with airbags in mind, so that they don't look bulky, and you will not resemble the Michelin Man.
The first one I was pointed to was the French "ProtAirBag". They have several model jackets, from full winter to summer jackets, or just slip-on vests.
All jackets are "real" motorcycle jackets, in other words, are fully protected, water resistant and have many pockets (there are even a few that have purpose built pockets for mobile phones).
They have four different jacket styles and several accessories available.
The jackets are clipped onto the motorcycle via a cord. If you are ejected from your motorcycle, the jacket inflates within 0.2 second. Several seconds afterwards, the jacket deflates by itself.
Click here to go to their website (in French, but lots of photos).
Taiwan manufacturer MotoAir have an even more impressive catalog of motorcycle jackets equipped with airbags.
From long jackets to racing jackets, and several vests, their catalog lists 16 jackets and vests.
They also offer ski and other outdoor sport jackets with built-in airbags.
Click here to access their website (it will ask if you want to download the Chinese fonts, but you don't need them).
Mainstream motorcycle jacket manufacturer Dainese also has an offering, but in contrast with the others, this jacket is operated electronically. All others are attached to the motorcycle with a ripcord. Dainese's d-Air vest is attached without wires. A wireless sensor communicates with the controlling unit inside the motorcycle. It monitors the position of the vest and together with other data decides whether or not to inflate.
It's pricey, costing over US$ 1,000.
So far, there are still not that many airbag equipped motorcycle jackets available, but more and more are hitting the market. Jackets are all real motorcycle jackets and prices are becoming reasonable.
I would guess that in the future, say 10 years from now, airbags for motorcycles will become a law, much like helmets. On one side it does give you additional safety, but on the other hand it does pose several problems, one would be for the Hell Angels types.... where do they put their club logo ??
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1) Yvoir said on:
(04/10/2004 18:33:41 GMT)
email:Yvoir | website:
Airbag jackets
For the original airbag jackets for motorcycling (and now also horseriding) see HIT AIR at hit-air.com Includes sports and touring jackets and also vests. Also models for motor scooters.
2) Bill Fahringer said on:
(15/04/2005 19:27:11 GMT)
email:Bill Fahringer | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
I like the Idea, just wished it at least looked like my leather jacket!Is there a retailer near me? My zip code is 10950. Thanks Bill
3) Tim Woods said on:
(27/06/2005 07:09:56 GMT)
email:Tim Woods | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
would like to purchase an air bag motorcycle jacket. What's best? electronically activated jacket? or one connected to the motorcylcel? thanks
4) Luis Valenzuela Caselli said on:
(04/08/2005 21:06:57 GMT)
email:Luis Valenzuela Caselli | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
Please send information a: At. Mr. Luis Valenzuela C Av Los Leones 2147, depto 301, Providencia Santiago Chile
5) Leverne Moore said on:
(13/08/2005 20:13:51 GMT)
email:Leverne Moore | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
I like the idea of a air bag motorcycle jacket but I have a concept that I am introducing of a much better jacket and it will be cheeper as well. If you are a manufacturer you need to get in touch with me. I am offering the concept for licensing.
6) Charles said on:
(22/08/2005 19:47:21 GMT)
email:Charles | website:
www.motorcycleairbagjackets.comAirbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
At www.motorcycleairbagjackets.com we have a complete line of Airbag Jackets, ranging from mesh vest to 3/4 length winter jackets. Airbag jackets have been used in Europe and Asia for the past 4-5 years and have saved many lives and reduced injury. We also have jackets for horse back riders as well, injuries in the equestrian industry are very high to, check out the website and see for yourself.
7) Ken said on:
(27/09/2005 06:47:00 GMT)
email:Ken | website:
http://www.hit-air.com/Original Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
Thanks for the introducing our products. Our product "hit'air" is sold at PROT AIRBAG & HELITE. And supplied the core system of that to SPIDI, IXS and so on. Our shock buffering system provides the customer a safety. Now inform our product will join into the U.S.A. market next year! If you are in U.S.A., check it up the website and get the information. we are the original maker of the airbag jacket over the world. Thank you.
8) J. Todd Brumley said on:
(25/10/2005 20:05:09 GMT)
email:J. Todd Brumley | website:
www.AireTronics.comAirbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
AireTronics is the patented provider of premier of inflatable torso protection devices in the United States. Check it out at www.AireTronics.com. You will love this product!
9) Ken Kuronuma said on:
(18/03/2006 06:34:02 GMT)
email:Ken Kuronuma | website:
http://www.hit-air.com/english/main.htmlagainst "airbagvest.com" / URGENT WARNING!!
We had some information that some company was treated by K.Y.Kim or Fabbi Tabbara and "airbagvest.com". Now we started to investigate the matter soon. I inform you all in regards that we have nothing to do with "{ Link } , the accounts as "sales@airbagvest.com" and "kykim@airbagvest.com", and the person who named "K.Y.Kim". They are illegal and he is NOT our agent. We need to have any information about it. If you have contact with him, Please inform us urgently!!
10) Shamnas N said on:
(10/04/2006 19:39:17 GMT)
email:Shamnas N | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
Hello Sir, I'm a Mechanical Engineering student of the College of Engineering, Trivandrum(CET) which is located in Kerala, India. I am part of a project team doing our final year project which is mandatory for the completion of the course. As a part of our final year project we are doing an indigenous version of the protective bike jacket. It does not inflate like the Hit-Air product. Infact it cushions on the basis of foam material we use as the inner layers. We still are wondering about the kind of abrasion resistant material that you use as the jacket's outer layer. If you could provide the material specifications and the study of the jacket in particular, it would mean a lot to us and help us in our search for a suitable outer layer. I hope for a positive reply as soon as possible. Thanking you Shamnas N Student, 8th semester Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
11) Deb Spoelstra said on:
(16/09/2007 22:09:32 GMT)
email:Deb Spoelstra | website:
Airbag Equipped Motorcycle Jackets
We live near the Seattle area. Are there any stores nearby? deb :)
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