Helite airbag vest: review

[Savago]

Dear friends

After reading quite a few reports of crashes/falls in the motorcycle forums that I visit, I decided to pull the trigger and get one of those airbag vests.

The one I chose was the Helite: http://www.helitemoto.com

The basic concept is pretty simple: an airbag inserted in the vest that will be inflated if you fall from the bike. Since they first released their original product, the company has developed some new stuff like leather vests, full jackets, etc using the technology.

The part of the website with testimonials (http://www.helitemoto.com/testimonials/) is worthy visiting.

The installation is pretty simple: there is a strap that must be tied to the frame under the seat and when you go for a ride, you simple connect it to the vest.

The original vest model is supposed to be used *on top* of your regular motorcycle jacket. There are also leather vests that can be used with no motorcycle jacket.

Impressions: the vest has some weight, you will feel it while walking around with it (mostly because of a steel CO2 cylinder on the front that inflates the airbag). But once riding in the bike, you won't notice it, which is good.

Since it covers the back, chest, neck and hips, it will contribute to block some wind (therefore, you may need to adjust the vents in you regular motorcycle jacket to compensate).

It takes a little while to remember to unhook yourself from the bike when you stop, but no big deal (and simply trying to get up from the bike won't trigger the airbag).

I bought it black to be more discrete, but in a second thought it may be a good idea to buy it in high-viz color (green or orange). After all, cagers are out there trying to get us.
 

A few photos can be found at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DCD2v3cLSDOZgzCA2

Is it expensive? Sure, no doubt about it. But a hospital ER visit is more expensive.

Is it a bit inconvenient? A little, but broken ribs are more inconvenient.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just check the many reports where people had literally their lives saved thanks to this technology.

Riding is part of my lifestyle and I'm planning to keep riding for years to come so the investment will pay with time.

Cheers

Savago

[Oss]

I have had the hit-air mesh jacket for about seven years
Fortunately in that time I have not had it go off due to accident or any other cause

It was just under 600. which I consider a good investment as broken ribs and punctured lungs and bleeding spleens are a downer and I dont bounce well as I age.

I wear the mesh jacket all year and always when commuting to work and court.

   When its under 40 or so I use the heated jacket liner   but dont usually turn it on until near freezing.

The hit-air fully inflates in .25 seconds  How fast is your jacket

Best of luck with your jacket, I hope you never get to test it's limits

[Savago]

Oss

Good report and you got the jacket for a fair price!

Concerning activation time, the Helite website says: "With deployment times under 100ms, Helite protects quicker than any other mechanically triggered airbag."

Source: http://www.helitemoto.com/pages.php?pageid=5

[BobB]

I had a mesh touring jacket on when I had my mishap 16 days ago.  Perhaps this product would have prevented the seven broken ribs, but then I question how far I would have bounced.   
Ouch, laughing at my own jokes hurts...

[Oss]

Savago  check difference between deployment and fully inflated times

There is plenty of timed video on the bikebone.com site

Moto racers are using the jacket as well as police

Best of luck to you

[Savago]

@BobB: your report was one of the reasons that prompted me buy the airbag jacket!

Hope you have a full recovery.
 

@Oss: I couldn't find a definitive answer for full inflation time. This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v79tKQbJWNo&t=7s) shows 80ms, but honestly I hope I never have to find out.
 

This is one of the reports where it saved the day (literally):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-oAvYNtvPQ

[rocketray]

my wife bought me one for a grand---even if the airbag doesn't go off it has more armor/padding/leather than anything else I've seen--very well made but not for a summer day