Inflatable crash gear?

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/astars-tech-air-mx-its-real…

Minor?  JB went to endonesia! AF's was not good either but his riding style didn't allude to post-crash physical problems. 

It deflates after 25 seconds.

Forkner would been a lot better off if he had been wearing one when he landed on the concrete.

I doubt they were available in MX form back then.

Maybe some info here...

https://www.alpinestars.com/search/?q=tech-air

I can’t remember which rider it was, but one of the road racers (in motogp I believe) got a little too excited in his finish line celebration a few years back and set his off…it was hilarious to watch him suddenly go “poof” and his suit’s chest/back swell up as he rolled through.

It seemed much more noticeable on Barcia, maybe because he wears his gear so tight.

Can confirm. I have a buddy who set one off a few years ago from pulling a wheelie. 

I use the Road Race system. It has 2 bottles. So if you have a fall, and get back on, it will work a second time. I assume the “deflation” is just small holes that allow the air (gas?) to escape slowly after the impact. One of the most amazing aspects is how it “knows” when to inflate - as the rider leaves the bike, NOT as the rider impacts the ground. I’ve not seen the slo motion replay of the off road version, but have seen my friends suit inflate as he high sided off his road race bike. Due to the nature of MX, with all the vertical accelerations etc, I’d imagine it’s a lot trickier to set the parameters for inflation. They use gyros and accelerometers and algorithms derived from hundreds of crashes. I understand that the data is downloaded from every “airbag” that is reset to help them tweak the algorithms. Pretty cool tech.

I bitch very easy on safety and this is the best and most exciting thing coming in since chest protectors and boots (so a 40+ years leap).

Still a few things to fix elsewhere, but big props when things are really going into the right direction. I also like seeing riders (and idols for the youngsters) going all the time with full gear compared to 10 years ago. More riders ok and able to ride = growing the sport / keeping the sport where it is which is already not that bad !

The Reeds (Chad, Tate, and Kiah) have been testing the system for some time now and they explain the system on their youtube channel about as in-depth as they could go, they also show the type of information the system stores such as G forces prior to and during the inflation. A stars has been adjusting the algorithm to set sensitivity based on the movements that MX/SX riders would normally see on track opposed to what road racers see. I would assume that JB and AFs incidents yesterday will be used to refine the algorithm even more! 

Thinking about the seeming lack of “deflation” on the weekends incidents - riders racing with “full” jerseys.

Maybe, with a lightweight jersey, there isn’t enough pressure to force further deflation. So the might get really “soft” due rider movement, but still hold a bit of shape. As opposed to being a hindrance - as they appear on the broadcast. Interesting to hear feedback from the riders.

I paid the money, and put up with the extra weight/hassle with the thought that if it saved me one broken rib it would be well worth it. Road Racing.

Makes me look even fatter than I am though!! (Has a pretty big integrated back protector.)

Most encouraging takeaway from these incidents is that both guys seemed to keep riding without it bothering them. Curious if any of these pros had the chance to ride some practice days with it inflated to get the feel of it before they agreed to race in it? 

What I don’t get, and maybe someone can explain it to me, is why there is no shoulder protection? Isn’t one of the most common injuries we have broken collar bones/separated shoulders? Would that not help prevent that? I see the same thing with regular chest protectors, they have an insane amount of protection on the back of all places, but barely anything, if nothing on the shoulders. How many guys are falling and landing on their back?? Seems like it’s usually a shoulder that takes the hit most of the time…. I know that’s been my experience anyways lol 

Very difficult to protect the shoulders without restricting movement. I think the old chest protectors with shoulder cups were a good compromise but I still broke my fair share of collarbones with one on. For me it always breaks where the bottom of the helmet hits the collarbone. 

It seems like having an inflatable pouch over the shoulder wouldn’t be too restricting though? I agree with the old style ones, that’s what I had growing up until it became “cool” to just run an under jersey chest “protector” which was nothing more than a tiny piece of foam. That’s when I started messing up my shoulders. 

Ill have to watch again more closely, but it looked like Barcias inflated after the initial impact, 

They start to deflate immediately. Been in use for a long time in street bike racing. 

It does cover the shoulder. When it inflates there is sort of a curtain that extends down and over the shoulder. 

Ah ok, I didn’t notice it, looked like mostly chest/back and not much on the shoulder area. 

Rmatv has a YouTube video showing the enduro version. 

Anyone using the Tech air Off-road protector for MX on enduro mode setting? It seems to offer more shoulder protection than the MX version pending release… however enduro mode may be too sensitive for MX?

I was told the enduro version would probably get deployed in a motocross track. Over the air updates coming later this year. Buy the non-air version now with the removable chest protector. Then buy the new moto-air when it releases.

My daughter wears an inflatable vest for her Equestrian events. It wasn't cheap, but hopefully she will never have to use it. 

Unless you're doing crazy whips and stuff you will be fine riding MX in the off road system. Its pretty bulky, heavy, and hot for MX use though.  But it does have two canisters which is cool and if you're doing more stuff like dual sport riding with street riding its a super versatile system.  

I think it's a great advance but let's look at another point of view. 

https://www.paddock-gp.com/en/MotoGP-Miguel-Oliveira-asks%3A-I%27m-not-…

I’ve been hoping for this tech for neck devices for some time now.  I’m hopeful they figure it out.  Would be huge for our sport.

I didn’t realize he was a trained dentist?  Another Dr Wolsink?  Where do these guys find the time?

RXR been at this for a long time now.  I know there are some guys on here who use it, would be interesting to get a real world comparison of the 2 systems at some point.