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Anyone Rocking an Airbag System? Have You Crashed in One?

You’re referring to tests done “many many years ago” on an unnamed brand.
I’m hopeful that in the years since then with multiple tech advances across many brands the testing is now more robust.
But your point is well taken - how do we really know their effectiveness?
Other than anecdotal evidence I haven’t heard of any tests showing efficacy.

Everyone who has crashed wearing an airbag sings their praises but that’s it.
 
The point I was trying to make is in regards to the testing. Without knowing what test(s) are performed, I have no idea if the manufacturers are performing the same tests. Is there a regulated standard for airbag gear? What is it? Personally, I have no idea.
 
The query: "Are there crash testing results for motorcycle airbag leathers ?" generates a start w/ results in two different AI tools. Take a gander.
 
Different: Are there crash testing standards for motorcycle airbag leathers

More questions pop into my head.

So it appears the air bag is tested for 'adequate protection'. What is that? Is it tested on a human analog or cadaver? Does the test take into account the size, shape, and fit of the garment? How does the shape of the bag in the vest change between each manufacturer? Exactly what is the test?
 
Totally valid questions! As a would be consumer in this space, testing protocols and results would be nice to know.
 
After a free fall from a height
{\displaystyle h}
followed by deceleration over a distance
{\displaystyle d}
during an impact, the shock on an object is
{\displaystyle (h/d)}
· ɡ0. For example, a stiff and compact object dropped from 1 m that impacts over a distance of 1 mm is subjected to a 1000 ɡ0 deceleration.
 
We don't have tests on gear in general aside from helmets. Gloves, suits, jackets, pants, etc...any testing is worth something IMO. I don't see a standard getting developed given there's no government requirement on air protection devices yet. What's out now is probably the best we'll get. Anecdotal will be the metric, same as gloves/ leathers, etc.

In my humble opinion, given how current gear is treated.
 
Out of curiosity I contacted Alpinestars about their test data which claims a 95%reduction in impact forces.
Here’s their AI response.
Ugh

So basically they’re saying “it works, take our word for it”?
 

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That said, Alpinestars has been live in GP for several years, to the point that there was criticism that their set up wasn't really appropriate for the street since their training/test data was based on GP.

Its probably fair to say that the Alpinestars system is a hand "tuned" vest based on GP data, with the hand tuning adjusting the thresholds for deployment and such for a street environment. I don't know where they've been getting their dirt data from.
 
I believe Hit-Air (which started making airbag vests for equestrians) used to post some details of the tests they performed on their equestrian vests (which are obviously their own defined tests rather than any sort of industry standard). But I can't find them now.
 
My TA 7x was deployed at the carousel monday. I lost engine braking after downshifting into false neutral. Tried to tip in but quickly ran out of track, tucked the front in dirt, head planted, skidded/somersaulted/tumbled 100 feet to tire wall.

I felt big impact forces on my head and thoracic.

Asked responding track Staff and Life Techs if my bag deployed and they did not see any indications of inflation. How was I able to creep out of the ambulance with just a fractured metacarpal?! (Besides refusing hospital transport).

When I got home, I did some checks/tests. The flashing green indicated one more Can deployment was available (2 Cans are in the housing). I could see telltale black residue in the chamber entrance. On a balance the discharged Can was much lighter and it rang/thudded differently when tapped.

TA states bag will deflate within one minute. My Air Bag deployed correctly, but with the adrenaline and expandable Fusion suit, other more profound sensations were at the forefront.

I connected my bike floor pump and inflated it manually. It indeed deflates quickly. My pump obviously cannot come close to the rapid inflation of the 2-3x's C02 volume canister.
 
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Enchanter said:
The point I was trying to make is in regards to the testing. Without knowing what test(s) are performed, I have no idea if the manufacturers are performing the same tests. Is there a regulated standard for airbag gear? What is it? Personally, I have no idea.
Click to expand...

Are you serious? Have you even looked at the specs of any airbag vest? They all conform and they have all undergone testing under EN-1621-4. Moreover, every single piece of Personal Protective Equipment for motorcyclists is covered under similar standards, EN-1621-1 for limb protectors, EN-1621-2 for back protectors, EN-1621-3 for chest protectors, EN-17092 and EN-13595 for garments.

Some of these standards are more than 25 years old; the airbag standards are more than a decade old.
 
johnkol said:
Have you guys been living in a cave for decades, or did you all get together and decided to spread misinformation just for a laugh?
Click to expand...
I’ll be totally honest. Yes! I haven’t ridden seriously in almost 20 years. I’m not up on anything. It’s why I have been asking around. I didn’t mean to rustle your jimmies homie.
 
How to win friends and influence people.
 
johnkol said:
Are you serious? Have you even looked at the specs of any airbag vest? They all conform and they have all undergone testing under EN-1621-4. Moreover, every single piece of Personal Protective Equipment for motorcyclists is covered under similar standards, EN-1621-1 for limb protectors, EN-1621-2 for back protectors, EN-1621-3 for chest protectors, EN-17092 and EN-13595 for garments.

Some of these standards are more than 25 years old; the airbag standards are more than a decade old.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I haven’t heard of any of those. I was current when the only sticker to look for said snell.
 
We know they are tested.
The question is how did they perform the tests? What were the methods used? Who performed the tests? When were they tested? Were they independently verified?

Maybe you could enlighten us.
 
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johnkol said:
Have you guys been living in a cave for decades, or did you all get together and decided to spread misinformation just for a laugh?
Click to expand...

I've seen the CE labels, but also made an assumption the tests didn't go beyond materials testing. Reading up now with your info...that was a good resource drop. If you've got more info, please post away. I'm into learning from here vs other resources.
 
greenmonster said:
The question is how did they perform the tests? What were the methods used? Who performed the tests? When were they tested? Were they independently verified?
Click to expand...

What, the information I provided was not enough for you to do a google search to find out the answers to all those questions?

Here, let me take you by the hand and guide you slowly through all the information you never wanted to know but wanted others to believe you were interested in:
Study these, and if you have questions, do a google search and study some more.
 
Enchanter said:
How to win friends and influence people.
Click to expand...

I don't know man, if I were caught being totally ignorant in a field where I not only engage every day, but have an administrative role in, I would simply crawl under a rock and not utter a word for the next decade, not criticise the messenger of being too blunt.

But that's just me. Other people may think that abysmal ignorance is the hallmark of accomplished motorcyclists.

Let this sink in: these standards have existed since 1997.
 
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