Featured Helite Air Vest (and Jackets) Now With 10% For Forum Members "trifor"

Very good
I’m gonna pinch one off an aeroplane next time I’m on holiday

 

I would always forget to disconnect it

 

I suppose you could clip it to the ignition key

 

I'm sure you'd get used to it. After the third time of pulling the Optimate off the shelf beside the bike's parking spot in the garage I now remember to unplug it before inserting the ignition key and rolling it off the stand.

 

The air cylinder on the air bag takes a pull of 25-35kg to operate. That gives a good reminder to disconnect if you walk away without disconnecting>

Don't ask how I know I have a Helite airbag vest and have tried to walk away from the bike several times without disconnecting the lanyard. I have never fired the airbag though, but I have a spare cylinder, just in case!!!

 

I bought one of these today...I always ride with a high vis vest anyway so going to an air bag type one was no biggy from an aesthetic pov...and is a happy compromise (compared to looking cool) that I'm happy to make being mortgaged, married and kids, to allow me to ride.

I ride a bike. So that's cool.
I ride a triumph, so that's cool²
...I ride a triple, so cool³!

Am very happy with my Turtle2 vest... And Nick at 'Love Life and Ride' was brilliant!

I'm not going to preach about the whys and wherefores about an airbag vest, it's up to you and there's no judgement either way. But if you're unsure...I'd do it. Stick it on a cc and pay it off over 2 years, you won't notice, but will be happier for it!

Ride safe amigos.

 

I'd be very interested to hear how you get on with this after a couple of weeks use. I'm considering one of these because I've a couple of jackets I still want to use.

Do you know if the protection extends to the hips when inflated? I've a replacement hip and want to protect it as much as possible. (I was told I shouldn't use a mountain bike or motorcycle because replacing a damaged replacement can be problematic).

Cheers

Oldfart

 

Hi Old Fart,
The Helite air bag vest does not extend to cover the hip, it comes down to the top of the pelvis.

 

Thanks for that SG

Oldfart

 

I'm exceptionally happy to report back - but feel free to nudge me if I forget...

Can't really comment on the hip protection. There's plenty online of course to look at (https://www.helite.com/motorcycle-airbag-high-visibility-turtle) or, if you are near Reading, go and see Nick - he is at the London motorcycle show in February, or get hands on with a vest and see for yourself if it affords the protection you want.

I am no way endorsing the vest for your issue...but one would think that if you "land on the vest" or it breaks your fall, that can only be a good thing to absorb an impact before the hip does?

But I'd advise you get hands on...it's the best way to find out... Good luck!

I'll let you know how I get on. Let me know what you want to know!

 

Thanks DB for responding.

Even though the vest doesn't protect the hips I don't think that's enough reason to put me fully off. (I'm not sure if any of the bags cover that area).

Sadly I don't live near Reading, nor can I make the London show - and there is a lot of riding time between now and the NEC show in the autumn, so perhaps a phone call to Nick would be a good idea.

From what you and others have said and the fact I can use it in conjunction with other jackets tips the balance, for me, in favour of Helite.
I might just put my hand in my pocket.

Thanks for the advice.

Oldfart

 

No problem oldfart. I'm sure Nick will be happy to talk you through whether the vest suits your needs.

I agree about the vest rather than a jacket...I like the interchangeability.

If I don't think about the cost...I am very chuffed! And even when I do think about the cost it doesn't feel frivolous, it feels like the right thing to have done.

 

Old Fart,

Looking at where you live Helite usually have a stand at the Stafford Classic show in April. That would be closer than Reading or The London Show

 

There's also a distributor in Birmingham?