FortNine
3 HN recommenders · recommended in 3 months, 2021
9:36 · 5.9M views · Feb 28, 2021
FortNine surveys motorcycle airbag technology and explains why airbags have not reached mainstream adoption. It breaks down gear such as the Helite Turtle, Dainese D-Air and Alpinestars Tech-Air.
Recommended in threads about airbag vests as a solid overview when shopping for a motorcycle airbag.
4 comments from Hacker News
I think he was talking mostly about good motorcycle airbag vests like the Helite Turtle and e-Turtle. "Good" is an important qualifier word though, the worst airbags offer little protection and don't limit head movement. This is a great video about the Helite Turtle (it came out before the electronic e-Turtle) and motorcycle airbags in general. this video I'll definitively grab a Helite e-Turtle when I start riding next year.
Note that you have the option of purchasing the vest outright, and there's also a purchase option if you subscribe for 3 years, similar to a lease. In conclusion, buy a Helite Turtle. Fully offline, no electronics, and user-refillable with simple CO2 cartridges. Fortnine did a great video surverying motorcycle airbag tech: this video
If you're in the market for a Motorcycle Airbag, this is worth a watch. this video If you don't wanna watch, the Helite Turtle range seem to be the best way to go.
I wear a Helite Turtle 2 airbag vest when I go motorcycling. I wear it for three reasons: - There is a mechanical tether. It is a reliable mechanism that is not subject to subscriptions or software of any sort. If I’m clipped in, I’m protected. - Its air pockets are bigger than the “cool” airbag vests that are designed to fit under your clothing. Bigger air pockets really do translate into better impact protection. AND it has CE armor in the back as well, just in case. Below a certain threshold of air displacement, you’re not much better off than armor by itself. - The air channels run over my shoulders and are designed to immobilize my head and neck in the event of a crash. Fortnine has a video whose rationale matches mine: this video The downside of my airbag style is that if I low-side and stay with the bike, the airbag won’t deploy. That said, in this kind of crash, I’m much more worried about abrasions (which is also why I wear a one-piece Aerostich suit).