I was checking out airbag jackets...

[chokeagoat]

and I found a couple,and I think l I would rather have it than not, in a wreck.
theres

http://www.hitairusa.com/
http://www.impactjackets.com/index.html

and theres alot of others with the same concept (c02 attached with a ripcord to the bike and the jacket, thus expanding the "airbag")

I also searched this site and I saw there was a post about another airjacket.
that one seemed to use electronics to judge when to expand the bag.

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about them, or if anyone uses them.

[Chubbs032]

I saw a tutorial of one on the news...took maybe 2 seconds to fully inflate. I think it needs to be faster.

[chokeagoat]

yeah,I guess. im still intersested tho, maybe if i have xtra money ill get 1 just to test out

[adouglas]

The concept is a very good one IMHO. Inflation systems like this are very mature technology...it's basically the same way airline life vests work.

The execution on the ones you found, however, is lame... the jackets are ugly and bulky, and the overvests are worse.

RS-Taichi has a jacket that looks very impressive, is attractive, and the system inflates very fast. The airbag focuses on the area that is least protected by standard gear... the neck.

The jacket is leather, perforated and appears to be of very high quality.

It's also rather expensive.

I'd seriously consider buying one if my budget allowed for it.

The only place I've seen it is STG:

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=8165

Link to original page on YouTube.

[chokeagoat]

awesome, thanks for the info

[JeffM]

The execution on the ones you found, however, is lame... the jackets are ugly and bulky, and the over vests are worse.

I dunno, a little ugliness vs. a lot of safety is a good trade off. Plus, I like the added protection to the chest and back afforded by the Hit-air products vs. the neck only protection on the RS-Taichi product, which looks very good. Pricey too.



There is a less bulky version too:

I saw a tutorial of one on the news...took maybe 2 seconds to fully inflate. I think it needs to be faster.

Company states the inflation time is less than 250 milliseconds.

Either way I think that these type of products are part of the future of riding safety. Still thinking of getting a hit air vest in down the line.