Helite

RSL · Feb 9, 2017

I've learned several times that I'm not indestructible. As such, I now ride with a Helite.

Lanyard ties to the frame on the left side. Simple clip to the vest.

The hard shell back protector rides outside the airbags, so offering all the more protection.

Maybe you guys will never crash, or are still indestructible, but the last get-off breaking 8 ribs caused me to better understand the need for this added level of protection.

RSL · Feb 9, 2017

appliance821 · Feb 9, 2017

Been looking at the hit-air as it's less bulky and has more rib protection. Struggling with vanity...

kuksul08 · Feb 9, 2017

My friend crashed twice in a Helite. Got up and walked away both times, no pain. Kind of amazing. Only thing is it doesn't help at all in low-sides unless you really go flying.

jerdog53 · Feb 10, 2017

So you have to come off the bike before it deploys?

Don't forget to disconnect before you step off....

ferdi · Feb 10, 2017

kuksul08 said:
My friend crashed twice in a Helite. Got up and walked away both times, no pain. Kind of amazing. Only thing is it doesn't help at all in low-sides unless you really go flying.

in low-sides also Dainese Air does not release, intended

RSL · Feb 10, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7OKCeqekr8

RSL · Feb 10, 2017

There is no perfect answer. My Motoport custom made riding gear has all their normal armor. The Helite is for those high speed hits that penetrate armor.

You all may remember the Ride Magazine test of CE approved armor in the UK. That test that showed how a cheese sandwich passed the base CE test. My preference os for far greater protection than a cheese sandwich.

RSL · Feb 10, 2017

Another rider in on our rides has a hit-air. Appears they now offer a faster inflation system for motorcycles.

LINK: Hit Air Airbag Vests and Jackets: Hit-Air VHR Light Weight fast inflation

nosequeponer · Feb 10, 2017

been using a hit air for the past year, so far so good (havenÂ´t used yet... finger crossed..)

appliance821 · Feb 10, 2017

I'm glad this thread was created. I've been researching this on and off for a couple of years. Revzilla is now selling a spidi airbag vest that looks suspiciously like a version of the lite hit-air (for about $300.00 more). This concept seems to be becoming more main-stream.

beef tits · Feb 13, 2017

This is a cool concept, similar to back-country avalanche gear.

However, I could totally see myself forgetting about the lanyard and inflating the vest every time I stop for gas... How many times can it be used and what is the reset procedure?

appliance821 · Feb 13, 2017

The pull needed to trigger inflation is something like 66 pounds (oddly specific but that's what I remember). Unless you trip getting off the bike, it's hard to accidentally inflate - and if you do trip, it might help.

The reset involves replacing the co2 canister which has a few simple steps. With the hit-air there's some repacking - don't know about the helite.

How many times can it be re-used? An excellent question, beyond obvious damage due to an accident, I'd be interested in knowing how age, and multiple inflations affect the bag. Not to mention CO2 leakage over the course of a year or so.

RSL · Mar 4, 2017

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jdH8e22x74Q

mentalist · Mar 5, 2017

Typical Target fixation crash. Wasn't going too fast but bottled the bend.

appliance821 · Mar 5, 2017

Yeah, the guy just rode off the road. Here's another example - an unavoidable accident starring the infamous fredbgg:

Crashed hitting a deer at about 55mph | Adventure Rider

migrane · May 1, 2017

After reading a lot on the topic ... I've ordered myself a Helite ADV Jacket ... Will hopefully take a longer trip by the end of the month and I hope I will not make use of the airbag ... but rather I'd like to see how it holds up with the weather.

Migrane

RSL · May 1, 2017

The jacket is very Euro with a very slim build and zipper on the wrong side.

ferdi · May 2, 2017

RSL said:
The jacket is very Euro with a very slim build and zipper on the wrong side.

you mean "on the right side"

in Europe only women-zippers are like US ones

migrane · May 2, 2017

RSL said:
The jacket is very Euro with a very slim build and zipper on the wrong side.

this why the probably recommended that i get the 3xl size

migrane

Helite

Similar threads