New Klim Airbag Vest for $400 +$399 or $12/month for it to work

[Relax]

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Here's another thought - if I have a vest that needs to be sent back to the factory to get recharged, you have nothing for however long that takes. Instead of paying another $900 for a backup, pay half for the Klim, plus $12 per month until you get the other one back.

 

[jc100]

I completely forgot about the best part of the subscription option: you can suspend it for the months you aren't riding. For example, fair-weather riders might have less than 6 months of payments per year, which drives the ongoing cost down by half.

Check the minimum payment details. Most subscriptions don’t allow an as-you-please model of “rental”. My sat nav gizmo only allows a few months of downtime at the minimum rate for instance.

 

[Relax]

Basically at the end, a simple tether and replaceable cartridge is the best solution

I think the main reason was because of the user-replaceable cartridges. These days with phones, comms, GPS, etc, people are more likely to remember to plug in their stuff when they get back from a ride so that they're ready for the next one. That aside, I'm surprised they can't be charged while in use - there's really no reason for that.

 

[GreyGhost]

I think the main reason was because of the user-replaceable cartridges. These days with phones, comms, GPS, etc, people are more likely to remember to plug in their stuff when they get back from a ride so that they're ready for the next one. That aside, I'm surprised they can't be charged while in use - there's really no reason for that.

USB power supplies are notoriously noisy. Data analysis is much simpler if they have nice clean power from a battery. Also you don't want a power spike to touch it off while you're riding. I'm not sure if that's the reason but it makes sense to me.

 

[Relax]

USB power supplies are notoriously noisy. Data analysis is much simpler if they have nice clean power from a battery. Also you don't want a power spike to touch it off while you're riding. I'm not sure if that's the reason but it makes sense to me.

That does sound familiar. I think I'm experiencing a glitch in the Matrix.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

I sorta agree with Priller that this is effectively leasing the airbag, and the terms are actually pretty good (warranty, support, and potential new hardware for as long as you keep coughing up $12 USD/month).

The way it's set up rubs me the wrong way though. I guess the "proper" way to do it would be through an actual lease, i.e. instead of them being able to disable it, it always works but you take on legal obligations to send them money, but then that introduces a lot of hassle and headaches on their side. On the flip side, you aren't really protected from them raising the subscription price down the road. I wonder how they handle someone re-selling the vest - do they let the new owner set up an account, or do they demand that you purchase a new one?

The language on the website is kinda vague, is this particular vest compatible with track use?

 

[Priller]

Basically at the end, a simple tether and replaceable cartridge is the best solution

Maybe for him, as he doesn't own a smartphone. For me, the tether introduces a lot of potential risk of not being separated far enough from your bike in a crash to trigger until it's too late (lowside or rear-end), and the cost difference is minimal (though at least the Hit-Air is meaningfully cheaper). And for me, I'm way more likely to forget to attach the tether and ride away than I am to charge the thing...

I think the main reason was because of the user-replaceable cartridges. These days with phones, comms, GPS, etc, people are more likely to remember to plug in their stuff when they get back from a ride so that they're ready for the next one. That aside, I'm surprised they can't be charged while in use - there's really no reason for that.

The In&Motion lasts 25 hours of riding between charges, and Astars says 30 hours. That's 3-5 days of non-Iron Butt riding, lots of time to remember to plug it in for a few hours.

I sorta agree with Priller that this is effectively leasing the airbag, and the terms are actually pretty good (warranty, support, and potential new hardware for as long as you keep coughing up $12 USD/month).

The way it's set up rubs me the wrong way though. I guess the "proper" way to do it would be through an actual lease, i.e. instead of them being able to disable it, it always works but you take on legal obligations to send them money, but then that introduces a lot of hassle and headaches on their side.

The Jalopnik article suggests them sending you a bill if it goes off while you're not subscribed, which would be a collections nightmare for a small European company doing business in umpteen countries. Tracking down delinquent payers would also be borderline impossible at their scale.

On the flip side, you aren't really protected from them raising the subscription price down the road. I wonder how they handle someone re-selling the vest - do they let the new owner set up an account, or do they demand that you purchase a new one?

I don't know what protection they offer against price increases. Seems like it would be fairly simple to lock in a price for three years, for example, and if they raise the rates after that term, you have the option to buy it out or resubscribe. They do guarantee the option to buy for $100 after three years...

The language on the website is kinda vague, is this particular vest compatible with track use?

It is, but you have to pay $25 USD / yr to unlock the option in the app. Same for an off-road ("Adventure") mode.

That said, when looking up the battery life, I just noticed on the Alpinestars website that they've added a track/race mode to the Tech-Air 5 vest, which totally changes the math for me. Up until now, the In&Motion was the only one that covered both modes. It's not as slick as swapping a module from a street vest into an RST suit with the airbag built in, but is definitely another option to cover both bases...

 

[jc100]

Maybe for him, as he doesn't own a smartphone. For me, the tether introduces a lot of potential risk of not being separated far enough from your bike in a crash to trigger until it's too late (lowside or rear-end), and the cost difference is minimal (though at least the Hit-Air is meaningfully cheaper). And for me, I'm way more likely to forget to attach the tether and ride away than I am to charge the thing...

The In&Motion lasts 25 hours of riding between charges, and Astars says 30 hours. That's 3-5 days of non-Iron Butt riding, lots of time to remember to plug it in for a few hours.

The Jalopnik article suggests them sending you a bill if it goes off while you're not subscribed, which would be a collections nightmare for a small European company doing business in umpteen countries. Tracking down delinquent payers would also be borderline impossible at their scale.


I don't know what protection they offer against price increases. Seems like it would be fairly simple to lock in a price for three years, for example, and if they raise the rates after that term, you have the option to buy it out or resubscribe. They do guarantee the option to buy for $100 after three years...


It is, but you have to pay $25 USD / yr to unlock the option in the app. Same for an off-road ("Adventure") mode.

That said, when looking up the battery life, I just noticed on the Alpinestars website that they've added a track/race mode to the Tech-Air 5 vest, which totally changes the math for me. Up until now, the In&Motion was the only one that covered both modes. It's not as slick as swapping a module from a street vest into an RST suit with the airbag built in, but is definitely another option to cover both bases...

Remembering the tether isn't a big deal...it becomes the same as a helmet chinstrap and I also stuck a decal on the top of my windshield to make sure. You can set the deployment distance on your tether to some extent too when you fit it to the bike, there’s a guide. I kind of like the simple mechanics of it all, it’s basically a grenade...safe with the pin in...take it out and it works. When I bought mine I also bought a replacement cylinder so I’m set. No batteries, no remembering to charge it, no software no sensitive electronics.

 

[Relax]

Remembering the tether isn't a big deal...it becomes the same as a helmet chinstrap and I also stuck a decal on the top of my windshield to make sure. You can set the deployment distance on your tether to some extent too when you fit it to the bike, there’s a guide. I kind of like the simple mechanics of it all, it’s basically a grenade...safe with the pin in...take it out and it works. When I bought mine I also bought a replacement cylinder so I’m set. No batteries, no remembering to charge it, no software no sensitive electronics.

Tether wouldn't work for me. I just installed a wired heated gear lead, and I've gotten off my bike twice already forgetting it was there. Then again, I hear shock therapy is supposed to be effective.

 

[Priller]

Remembering the tether isn't a big deal...it becomes the same as a helmet chinstrap and I also stuck a decal on the top of my windshield to make sure. You can set the deployment distance on your tether to some extent too when you fit it to the bike, there’s a guide. I kind of like the simple mechanics of it all, it’s basically a grenade...safe with the pin in...take it out and it works. When I bought mine I also bought a replacement cylinder so I’m set. No batteries, no remembering to charge it, no software no sensitive electronics.

Fair enough. If the tether is less of a bother than fiddling with charging and app updates, I totally get it. It's a tried and true system, and I know of folks who use them at the track with a glued on clip behind the rider on the seat cowl.

For me, though, even the Hit-Air at $120 cheaper than the Astars isn't cheap enough to give up the added protection and convenience that the electronic units offer. Having seen time and again how quickly they go off for GP riders, I'm a believer in the technology.

Tether wouldn't work for me. I just installed a wired heated gear lead, and I've gotten off my bike twice already forgetting it was there. Then again, I hear shock therapy is supposed to be effective.

My understanding is you would basically have to fall down to trigger the release. Just walking away wouldn't do it, so the only harm would be the embarrassment of looking like a dog who hit the end of his leash...

 

[jc100]

Tether wouldn't work for me. I just installed a wired heated gear lead, and I've gotten off my bike twice already forgetting it was there. Then again, I hear shock therapy is supposed to be effective.

I've actually done that a couple of times when tired but you get a bit of a tug as a warning before it gets set off.

 

[Relax]

The way it's set up rubs me the wrong way though. I guess the "proper" way to do it would be through an actual lease, i.e. instead of them being able to disable it, it always works but you take on legal obligations to send them money, but then that introduces a lot of hassle and headaches on their side. On the flip side, you aren't really protected from them raising the subscription price down the road. I wonder how they handle someone re-selling the vest - do they let the new owner set up an account, or do they demand that you purchase a new one?

The language on the website is kinda vague, is this particular vest compatible with track use?

Based on the Alpinestars, the electronic difference between track and street is that track will only deploy above a certain speed. So a street vest will work for the track, but not vice versa if you want low speed protection, like being rear-ended at a stop. Their original Tech Air line had a street and a race version. The race vest had to be snapped into a Tech Air compatible race suit or jacket because the controls were on the sleeve. Also, it was able to deploy twice in a row so that you could keep using it for a second race. Their current Tech Air 5 is just the one vest with the ability to program it for street or track, but I believe it only deploys once before needing to be sent back.

The more I look into it, it seems the vest is sold without the brain, and when you sign up for the lease (or one time purchase), they send you the brain. If you cancel the lease, which they say you can do at any time, you have to send the box back.

 

[Priller]

Based on the Alpinestars, the electronic difference between track and street is that track will only deploy above a certain speed. So a street vest will work for the track, but not vice versa if you want low speed protection, like being rear-ended at a stop.

Based on the research I did late last year, Alpinestars told me in no uncertain terms that taking the street version to the track was a very bad idea, as the stronger braking and cornering forces could cause an unwanted inflation. Not what you want at the end of the back straight at Shannonville! Now that the Tech-Air 5 has added track mode, it's a different story. Still, you need to remember to select the right mode if you use it for both, and the snap-in street vest shouldn't be used at the track...

Their current Tech Air 5 is just the one vest with the ability to program it for street or track, but I believe it only deploys once before needing to be sent back.

This is one area where the In&Motion system is a lot better, for sure. The cartridges may be $130/ea, but three deployments before service is a big advantage...

 

[GreyGhost]

Based on the research I did late last year, Alpinestars told me in no uncertain terms that taking the street version to the track was a very bad idea, as the stronger braking and cornering forces could cause an unwanted inflation. Not what you want at the end of the back straight at Shannonville! Now that the Tech-Air 5 has added track mode, it's a different story. Still, you need to remember to select the right mode if you use it for both, and the snap-in street vest shouldn't be used at the track...


This is one area where the In&Motion system is a lot better, for sure. The cartridges may be $130/ea, but three deployments before service is a big advantage...

If I fly off the bike the ~$40 to recharge the vest is a rounding error in my problems.

 

[Scuba Steve]

If I fly off the bike the ~$40 to recharge the vest is a rounding error in my problems.

That was my thought when I bought my dainese if it goes off the cost of the vest is nothing even if I have to toss it out. If it protects me and is comfortable so I wear it I am happy.

Sent from my Chesterfield using my thumbs

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Looking at the user manual, this seems to be a fairly significant catch:

"The vest is not compatible with full one-piece suit (for instance textile, leather, rain suit) except “In&motion Compatible Airbag system” suits which have been tested and are compatible with a proper inflation of the airbag, provided that the size of the garment is appropriate to your body dimensions."

Also some posters above mention a track mode but I can't find any mention of it on their website, just the "Adventure" mode. Given the above restriction I guess it becomes irrelevant

 

[Priller]

If I fly off the bike the ~$40 to recharge the vest is a rounding error in my problems.

Absolutely true, but it's $40 for the CO2 cartridge in the tether airbags, $130 for the In&Motion argon cartridge and $375 to send an Alpinestars vest back for inspection and refilling. If you're doing a track day and lowside with minimal damage, it'd be nice to be able to pop in a new cartridge and carry on fully protected. Alternately, as Zach Courts points out in his review for Revzilla, if you have a minor off at the beginning of a longer tour, you're without the airbag for the remainder. It's not a dealbreaker, but definitely a very nice feature to be able to do some refills on your own.

Looking at the user manual, this seems to be a fairly significant catch:

"The vest is not compatible with full one-piece suit (for instance textile, leather, rain suit) except “In&motion Compatible Airbag system” suits which have been tested and are compatible with a proper inflation of the airbag, provided that the size of the garment is appropriate to your body dimensions."

If you look at how much the Klim, Ixon and Held vests inflate over the shoulders, you'll see why they don't recommend it in a suit not designed for it. You'd be singing soprano if it were too tight. Still, I'd make a judgement call if I had a baggy suit, particularly a textile one like an Aerostitch. Alpinestars says you need 4 cm (1.5") of room all the way around your chest for their vest, which when you actually measure it out is quite a lot. It doesn't have the same height over the shoulders, though, so one piece is fine.

RST makes some reasonably priced airbag suits that literally just became available in the last week or so. The cheapest is $780 CAD at FC-MOTO. RST gear is generally incredible value and very good quality. If I end up going with the In&Motion system, I'd combine an RST integrated airbag suit with a vest for the street. You can share the module and subscription between them.

There is no perfect and cheap single solution for both street and track. The tether options need to be the track-specific models with a rear mount, as the normal side tether to the frame isn't compatible with hanging off. This is then a pain for the street. Alpinestars and Dainese suits with the airbag systems built-in are pricey, and may not work on the road. The Tech-Air 5 vest is definitely the cheapest single solution up-front (if your existing suit is loose enough), but that $375 bill for setting it off could change that math fast: two deployments and you pretty much could've bought a new RST suit.

It's almost enough to put one off entirely until you read account after account of folks who've crashed in one and absolutely swear by them...

Also some posters above mention a track mode but I can't find any mention of it on their website, just the "Adventure" mode. Given the above restriction I guess it becomes irrelevant

Use on track / circuit

How to get a new detection mode? (Track or Adventure option)

 

[ReSTored]

The $800 outright purchase vs. $400 + rental / lease payments and a buyout option are just financing options. Klim probably gave this a lot of thought and the $400 deal makes an airvest more affordable in the eyes of many who don't want to fork $800 all at once, but are ok with monthly payments.

While this is new to motorcycle gear conceptually really no different that getting a brand new cell phone bundled in with your Rogers or Bell contract. A blend of hardware, software and access all rolled into one package.

 

[Priller]

To bring this back from the dead, I just ordered the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 vest from FC-Moto ($780 CAD plus $30 shipping, we'll see what awaits at the border). The deal maker was Astars adding track capability and cutting the rate for cartridge refills almost in half (still requires shipping it away, and it's easily double if not triple the In&Motion refill cost).

It also works with the suits I already own (one piece for track, two piece zip-together for street), and I like the way the airbag covers the shoulder more completely. I suspect the tech is pretty much a wash with In&Motion, both being developed in GP's as well as street riding.

I still think the In&Motion options are excellent, however they're billed, and I suspect an RST suit equipped with their system may be in my future, but hopefully not until I need a new suit anyway.

I'll report back once I get it, though I'm hoping I never have to find out how well it actually works...

 

[jc100]

To bring this back from the dead, I just ordered the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 vest from FC-Moto ($780 CAD plus $30 shipping, we'll see what awaits at the border). The deal maker was Astars adding track capability and cutting the rate for cartridge refills almost in half (still requires shipping it away, and it's easily double if not triple the In&Motion refill cost).

It also works with the suits I already own (one piece for track, two piece zip-together for street), and I like the way the airbag covers the shoulder more completely. I suspect the tech is pretty much a wash with In&Motion, both being developed in GP's as well as street riding.

I still think the In&Motion options are excellent, however they're billed, and I suspect an RST suit equipped with their system may be in my future, but hopefully not until I need a new suit anyway.

I'll report back once I get it, though I'm hoping I never have to find out how well it actually works...

If they ship with DHL it may be the same as my recent experience. I got a text from DHL and got charged $20 handling and tax only. I selected DHL standard rather than express. Bit miffed about the handling fee but still way cheaper overall.

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