Helite GP Air Track Vest group buy

[adouglas]

A track buddy is working with Helite on a group buy for their brand-new, track-specific airbag vest.

This is a premium piece of kit. Full coverage, not just the neck.

Update: I emailed Helite to ask if you still need to wear a back protector in addition to the vest. They said no... the design includes both back and chest armor (the "turtle" concept).

Street pricing at the link. He's asked me not to post the GB price... PM if you're interested and promise not to leak it in public. I will say this: the GB price is still higher than the Hit-Air alternative. What you'd be paying for is a much slicker product that will work well with a race hump.

He needs 10 orders to make it happen. I'm somewhat interested, but only because I'd be able to offset the cost by selling my Leatt brace... spreading the word in case anyone else is.

http://www.helitemoto.com/helite-gp-air-track-vest/

[leed]

I'd be in as interested also. I was looking at the Helite Turtle Vest also as a track alternative.

[adouglas]

PM sent

[adouglas]

Update on timing and availability.

The only time frame is - they have only 100 vests so far - and they may sell out of them. These vests can be delivered in the next 2 weeks.


So far the organizer has four orders.

The target number is 10. Including me, four of us on the forum have expressed interest but I don't think anyone's committed as yet. If we all go for it that gets him most of the way there.

I'm about 8/10 on the interest/commitment scale at the moment. Need to think about the expenditure.

Please post up if you're ordering so I can keep this updated.

@Ducati999, @Bigballsofpaint, @leed

[Ducati999]

I will be getting one of these vests. There is no excuse for not having one for the track or event the street. Not much more than a slip on exhaust and cheaper than most full header back systems and way cheaper than a trip to the emergency room!

Unfortunately the timing could not be worse. I am waiting on a call which will have me on a trip to the Philippines for a rough week. As soon as I have that situation figured out I will be purchasing one of these. I just hope the details work out before the group buy expires!

Everyone on here should have one of these an include it in ATGATT! We all hope we wont crash, but as they say dress for the crash not the ride! I will post back as soon as I have confirmation on my trip.

[adouglas]

Please email bruce so he knows the deal.

[adouglas]

Adding @csmith12 for the updates

[adouglas]

Just got a note from the guy organizing the GB, and want to clarify a few things.

To be perfectly clear about this:

He is NOT a dealer and is NOT affiliated with Helite in any way. He's just a track rider like us who's willing to do the legwork.

There is NO profit motive here. He's a private individual working with Helite to get a discount for us all. He's making NO money from this deal. The price is dictated by Helite. End of story.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT disclose pricing in public. I'm happy to share, but please just PM me for details.

[adouglas]

Looks like the deal also covers the regular Turtle vest too, and spare CO2 cartridges. Stay tuned. More info when I have it.

[adouglas]

Just one or two more orders needed.

Snooze, lose....

Sizing info here http://www.helitemoto.com/sizing/

[adouglas]

This just appeared on Youtube... actual deployment of this vest. Impressive.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Panda]

The vest is nice but what was super impressive was the guy on the blue bike that 1. managed to stay on and 2. managed to not run the fallen rider over.

[adouglas]

Supply is still very short on this thing... some of the group buy vests still haven't been delivered.

I got mine and rode on the track with it for the first time yesterday.

This was a really, really good purchase.

For one thing, one of the other GB buyers had a serious off (as in busted hip serious) at Palmer several weeks ago. The vest did its job perfectly. Needs repair due to the severity of the crash, but will be serviceable once again.

My $0.02: Since this vest has a leather exterior and uses Helite's "turtle shell" concept, it can replace conventional back and chest protectors (it's at least as thick and robust as my regular back protector when deflated, but sits outside the suit).

I wouldn't have called it, but leaving the regular armor out of the equation makes a huge difference on the bike. It's a lot easier to move around, and I don't even notice the vest at all while riding.

The only caveat, of course, is that you have to remember to clip in.

On the expensive side, but a whole lot cheaper than a trip to the hospital.

Street: I've also ridden with it on my commute. That hasn't been as positive an experience, because I ride with a backpack. While the vest alone isn't that noticeable, it does add bulk to your torso, so jacket + vest + backpack gets a bit clunky.

[AchyGrappler]

I’m one of the few to still not get my vest. Thanks for the quick review. We just started the season here at Chuckwalla and while I’m not racing, but only doing the track days in conjunction with the races, I’m really looking to get it and try it on the track.

[AchyGrappler]

Finally got mine today! Looks like a nice piece of kit. Glad I was patient.

[adouglas]

Just got pics this morning. Here it is in use. As you can see, it's so low-profile you can hardly tell it's there even by looking at it. On the bike I can't feel it at all.

[AchyGrappler]

Nice, and very cool knee down, blue steel, thing you got going on through that turn.