Last night I was the guest speaker for a group in Rotherham, which is not the point of this post.
The speaker before me was a chap called Peter Riley from a company called Helite.
His company has developed and introduced a new safety airbag jacket which works differently to those used in racing, and having seen the demonstration, I have to say that for someone who has been involved in the developing of new kit, this was one of the most impressive safety jackets I have ever seen.
It is not cheap at £420 for the black and £450 for the hi viz, but seeing the level of protection it will afford riders in a bad crash, and bearing in mind that many people think nothing of spending £500 on their helmet or £1,000+ n leathers, given the level of protection this jacket will offer seems a small price to pay.
Anyway, I thought you might be interested, further information is here at http://www.helite-motorcycle-airbagjackets.co.uk/
These vests have been around for a few years with different companies for the Equine industry.
I actually won a half price discount from Point2 for one a couple of years ago but never took them up on it as it was still a lot of money
Here is one in action. The fall would have killed or paralysed the rider if they had not been wearing the gear. They got up and walked away....quite an extraordinary piece of footage given the animal would weigh in excess of 1/2 tonne :shocked:
http://youtu.be/QPEtYY9b034 (http://youtu.be/QPEtYY9b034)
Mrs MOz has a Point2 - its a superbly made bit of kit.
I like the look of their winter airbag jackets. £525 for one of those isn't excessive as long as the jacket material and armour quality is up there and hard wearing.
Quote from: ash on October 23, 2013, 11:48:58 AM
These vests have been around for a few years with different companies for the Equine industry.
I actually won a half price discount from Point2 for one a couple of years ago but never took them up on it as it was still a lot of money
Here is one in action. The fall would have killed or paralysed the rider if they had not been wearing the gear. They got up and walked away....quite an extraordinary piece of footage given the animal would weigh in excess of 1/2 tonne :shocked:
http://youtu.be/QPEtYY9b034 (http://youtu.be/QPEtYY9b034)
Hi Ash. Peter did explain how the jackets were designed on the back of the equestrian market, but the equine jackets were impractical for motorcycle use, hence the development of the bespoke bike jacket.
The company is French.
Apparently, 14 nations at last years Olympic equestrian events were using the equine version made by Helite.
He also showed me a couple of jackets they are developing where the airbag is designed within the inner liner, so nobody would be any the wiser that an airbag was fitted.
I can see a few bespoke back protector manufacturers looking over their shoulder in a worrying way before too long.
Apparently in France as a starting point, Axa is offering wearers a blanket 10% off their premiums, and it is thought that a similar offer may be introduced here before too long, which does not seem a lot, but once it has been established that whilst it will not stop all injuries, but it will prevent many of the catastrophic and life changing injuries, the discounts on offer could be substantially more. Maybe others insurers will then follow suit if it saves them money.
I was told by the boss of Point2 that the bags are made in Hungary or somewhere like that
Nice looking bit of kit, & whilst it might be reasonably priced for some folks I certainly cant afford one of those :( the safety gear I've got already cost more than my admittedly cheapo bike! But I'd certainly buy one if those over vests were sub £200 though!
Certainly interesting and they are coming down in price. Could be tempted with the black over jacket jobbie, I can still wear high vis over the top in winter but not be stuck with it all the time.
Looks good and makes a lot of sense. Not a cheep bit of kit but I guess if it becomes popular prices may come down
I spoke to a dealer in these recently in Gloucester and he was saying that if involved in a crash the damaged panels can be replaced at very low cost and that The jackets can be recharged accordingly so they are an investment but one designed to last.
Certainly cheaper than Berings future offering at £800 expected price point that uses foam to fill the cells then has to be replaced afterwards..
Quote from: Manic636 on October 24, 2013, 04:31:27 PM
I spoke to a dealer in these recently in Gloucester and he was saying that if involved in a crash the damaged panels can be replaced at very low cost and that The jackets can be recharged accordingly so they are an investment but one designed to last.
Certainly cheaper than Berings future offering at £800 expected price point that uses foam to fill the cells then has to be replaced afterwards..
I have seen the Berings jacket and it is considerably bulkier than the Helite jacket.
But you are right about foam, like a helmet, bang it once and you have to replace it, but with the Helite product, it can be used time and again because it uses CO2.
You do not need to recharge the jacket as such, all you do is replace the CO2 canister at a cost of £16
TC,
As you have met him, any chance of organising a site discount?
I am very interested in the winter jacket.
Quote from: MOz on October 24, 2013, 05:35:06 PM
TC,
As you have met him, any chance of organising a site discount?
I am very interested in the winter jacket.
I know he offers a discount to clubs such as advanced groups together with a spread payment plan. Whether he would be prepared to do the same for a forum site (which is not meant with any disrespect) I honestly don't know.
I will be happy to provide an email address if you want to make contact and ask the question.
I have already told him that I have spread the word about the jackets via the forum, so he may be open to the idea as a PR exercise.
Please PM the email details TC
Quote from: MOz on October 24, 2013, 05:35:06 PM
TC,
As you have met him, any chance of organising a site discount?
I am very interested in the winter jacket.
Let me know how you get on as I'd probably buy the black over jacket one.