Air Vests

[KiowaEagle_imp]

If there is one thing I know about motorcycling it's if you ride at some point you will go down and I have a couple of times in my life. I recognize that this is the risk I must take to do the thing I love and in the 5 years since I started riding again I have been fortunate to stay upright the entire time. But I'm riding at least 15k miles per year and I realize the odds are getting shorter every mile I ride.

So I've started researching air vests in the hopes of mitigating the damage to some degree when that day comes. I've looked at the Helite and other corded vests and economically they seem to make the most sense but I'm a forgetful person so I know I would definitely forget to unhook the cord when getting off and I'd likely many times forget to hook it up before riding rendering it useless. I was riding with a buddy recently that has a Helite and he was complaining to me on intercom that he had forgotten to hook it up and he was trying to while riding and I'm thinking he was probably going to run off the road trying to get the darn thing hooked up. Wouldn't that be ironic?

So I've been looking at the electronic vests, specifically the Klim AI-1. Some complain that it's a subscription based model but I don't mind that. The vest plus two years of subscription is about the same as the Helite vest and as part of the subscription they replace the electronics after 3 years. It doesn't seem like a bad deal to me.

So has anyone had experience with the Klim vest? I'd also like to hear about other vests as well. I'm leaning towards the Klim but I'm not sold yet.

[LongRanger_imp]

I’ve been using the Helite for about three years. I have no experience with the Klim or any other brand.

With the Helite, fastening and unfastening the tether is really no different than buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt in your car, or the strap on your helmet. It becomes second nature very quickly. All else considered equal, I honestly wouldn’t let that bias your decision.

However, I can’t imagine trying to fasten it while riding. It’d be like trying to fasten your helmet strap with one hand.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I’ve been using the Helite for about three years. I have no experience with the Klim or any other brand.

With the Helite, fastening and unfastening the tether is really no different than buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt in your car, or the strap on your helmet. It becomes second nature very quickly. All else considered equal, I honestly wouldn’t let that bias your decision.

However, I can’t imagine trying to fasten it while riding. It’d be like trying to fasten your helmet strap with one hand.

Like a Klim helmet? Requires two fingers; might be able to use one under the right conditions.

[Houtman_imp]

I’ve been using the Helite for about three years. I have no experience with the Klim or any other brand.

With the Helite, fastening and unfastening the tether is really no different than buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt in your car, or the strap on your helmet. It becomes second nature very quickly. All else considered equal, I honestly wouldn’t let that bias your decision.

However, I can’t imagine trying to fasten it while riding. It’d be like trying to fasten your helmet strap with one hand.

I have had the Helite Turtle air vest for probably 5 years and love it , I NEVER forget to undo it when I get of the bike , does your friend forget to switch of his bike when he stops , if he does you need smarter friends .......

[KiowaEagle_imp]

I’ve been using the Helite for about three years. I have no experience with the Klim or any other brand.

With the Helite, fastening and unfastening the tether is really no different than buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt in your car, or the strap on your helmet. It becomes second nature very quickly. All else considered equal, I honestly wouldn’t let that bias your decision.

However, I can’t imagine trying to fasten it while riding. It’d be like trying to fasten your helmet strap with one hand.

I have had the Helite Turtle air vest for probably 5 years and love it , I NEVER forget to undo it when I get of the bike , does your friend forget to switch of his bike when he stops , if he does you need smarter friends .......

I have had the Helite Turtle air vest for probably 5 years and love it , I NEVER forget to undo it when I get of the bike , does your friend forget to switch of his bike when he stops , if he does you need smarter friends .......
No, Joe's a good rider as others on this forum can attest. I only know of him forgetting that one time. It's my forgetfulness I'm worried about.

But beyond that the electronic vest is also attractive to me in that not all accidents are you thrown off the bike in which case a corded vest will not deploy.

[emptysea]

Question: regardless of tether/non-tether, is the vest worn under a jacket or over? or does it make no difference to how (if?) the vest deploys.

[Houtman_imp]

The Helite vest I use is OVER any jacket AND has a build in back protector.

[LongRanger_imp]

Correct — over the jacket. It’s not unlike wearing a life jacket.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Be sure that if you have to use the vest - and successfully I may add - don't get yer head run over by the truck who couldn't stop in your path.

Play it smart.

Protect the pumpkin seeds.

[PowerDubs_imp]

I looked at a few vests after my accident- until I realized that that don’t protect your sides- and both of my bad parts of the accident would still have happened- the broken ribs and lacerated spleen.


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