I’m not sure if this is the right place for it but I wanted to share my experience of using an airbag jacket. I’ve got a Hit-Air JV Airbag Vest, cost me about £240. It’s pretty comfortable and generally well put together, the pockets are much better and easier to use than those on my Spada leather jacket. The only difficulty is remembering to attach the leash from your jacket to the bike and to de-attach it when you get off, although I forgot a few times, the bike never fell over and the jacket never accidentally went off.
Now unfortunately I did have a crash with this on. I was going about 50mph around a corner on an A road in Devon. Saw the leaves on the road too late, back wheel slid on the leaves, then caught the road again and threw me into the verge on the side. The bike slid away behind me as I rolled along. I actually remember thinking ‘I’m gunna crash’ and actually knowing I had the jacket on I felt a lot safer. As soon as I came off the jacket went off, it had definitely gone off by the time I hit the road. When I got up I couldn’t really move my upper body or neck because it was holding me pretty firmly. In the end I got pretty battered up knees, messed the bike up a whole load but otherwise I was fine. The jacket has a bit of scuffing all over but is still usable and I’m sure prevented any sort of other injury.
Would definitely recommend it if you can afford it. My old local bike shop in Devon is planning to stock them now and my girlfriend is getting one before she gets her scooter.
Also another related point I was wearing a Caberg Trip helmet and as soon as I hit the floor the front just flipped up, leaving my face totally exposed, luckily I didn’t hit my face but this doesn’t seem at all safe, has this happened to anyone else? I’ve now invested in full face helmet without the flip up chin guard.
