Information On Motorcycle Air Vests

I’ve done that more than once. On my hit air I ruptured the bladder. The next time i fell off I got the pop but no air.
 
Yeah, it looks good for another go around. All the riding gear looks great, except the helmet. If I hadn't been wearing one, I wouldn't be here talking about it.

Chris
 
Long story short...I went off the road. Bike ended up 30-35 feet behind me pointed in the wrong direction. I was airlifted to Medford, OR. They gave me CAT scans and X-Rays. Couldn't find anything wrong. I have a small amount of "road rash" on the two elbows, and a larger one on my right knee. The riding gear did it's job. It's just dirty. The "road rash" was from the skin rubbing inside the riding gear, not from rubbing against the pavement. Helmet will need to be replaced. When I was a kid growing up, I got worse injuries from falling while roller skating. The ER doc was surprised at how I had come out. They were used to seeing riders come in with their livers in pieces from the impacts. I had none of that.

The XR looks a little worse for wear. I'll find out next week if it is totaled, or not.

Now tell me that an old-fashioned, tethered airbag without fancy sensors can't cut it. ;)

Chris
 
Daboo said:
Now tell me that an old-fashioned, tethered airbag without fancy sensors can't cut it. ;)
Click to expand...

Really glad you were dressed for the slide... AND the impact.

My question about airbags is, innie or outie? The photo looks like you wore it outside your jacket?

As in many topics, there are pros and cons to wearing one inside or outside a jacket.
 
Sadlsor said:
Really glad you were dressed for the slide... AND the impact.

My question about airbags is, innie or outie? The photo looks like you wore it outside your jacket?

As in many topics, there are pros and cons to wearing one inside or outside a jacket.
Click to expand...
I prefer an "outie". (Are we talking belly-buttons?) The reasons are simple...it covers (protects) more. My opinion only, but the innies are designed to let you still look like you have that slim figure that you lost all chance of having 30 years ago. They don't cover anywhere near as much. And again, IMO, the amount they do blow up, isn't as much.
I took a bunch of screen shots, and decided to narrow it down to two.

This is one of the Alpinestars innies. It basically protects your lungs and a portion of your back.

Alpinestars Front.png

This is the Hit-Air MLV-P, before and after. Before, it seems like a heavier weight construction worker hi-vis safety vest. After, notice how not only do you get two vertical tubes in the front and in the back to protect your abdomen and back, but you have the neck portion blow up to protect your collarbone and neck. There's not a lot of give for your neck to twist and snap. The tailbone area has a portion that pops open as well to protect that area. There's also two tubes that protect the sides of the rib cage. And if you're concerned about wearing it in hot weather, the Alpinestars vest above has no ventilation at all that I can see.


Hit-Air MLV-P Before.pngHit-Air MLV-P After.png

After the accident, what do I have to do? Do a visual inspection as I tuck the air bladders away, and put in a new CO2 cartridge. Cost, @$22.

BTW, this is what the bike looks like.

1718384602994.png

1718384639335.png

The crash bars look pretty good still. And the right side looks good. But the front and left side? :(

Chris
 
Thanks a lot for the details Chris... at this point I'm still not close to adding an airbag vest, for several reasons.

@Uncle Phil 's recent rounds of broken ribs is the main reason I would consider it, but riding offroad introduces a whole other set of considerations. I've also read several threads on ADV about the pros and cons.

I can only hope I don't end up in that situation where I have to tell myself, "Dang, IF I had worn a vest..."
 
I am reading this just now. I am so sorry to hear of your crash, but I am glad the vest did its job. I’m not so sure about the bike, however, as it looks pretty substantially damaged. Did you have full coverage and will insurance give you anything on it? I have that exact MLV–P Vest and will not ride without it. Ventilation wise, it’s actually quite good. I get fine air flow around me when riding.
 
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