Alpinestar Tech Air - Barcia A1 crash

cloverdale
Posts
373
Joined
6/20/2009
Location
Zionsville, IN US

The A1 Barcia crash was a very unfortunate way to test the new Tech Air system. I am curious if more riders (both amateur and professional) will consider this safety device based on this one incident? 

6
|
Motofinne
Posts
11386
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
FI
1/13/2026 6:11am

They should, i think it's nuts that majority of the riders don't use it when the technology is finally available. 

5
Mossy940
Posts
322
Joined
10/20/2020
Location
La Quinta, CA US
1/13/2026 6:33am
Motofinne wrote:

They should, i think it's nuts that majority of the riders don't use it when the technology is finally available. 

Remember, a lot of people in this sport think a standard chest protector is too "restricting".

19
philG
Posts
10863
Joined
5/12/2012
Location
GB
1/13/2026 6:44am
Motofinne wrote:

They should, i think it's nuts that majority of the riders don't use it when the technology is finally available. 

Mossy940 wrote:

Remember, a lot of people in this sport think a standard chest protector is too "restricting".

I was wearing a V2000 in 1983, that this stuff is even a discussion 43 years later blows my mind. 

Gloves that i wouldnt wear to ride a bicycle , and protection designed for 'comfortability' ( which isnt even a fucking word) rather than hitting the ground when thrown off a 60hp bike 20ft off the ground, just beggars belief. 

If they spent even 10% of the time and money they spew on helmet and bike graphics, we might have a better outcome. 

Like parachutes and guns, if you dont have one when you really need it, you probably wont need one again. 

 

24
2
SonofThor32
Posts
843
Joined
5/30/2021
Location
Corryton, TN US
1/13/2026 7:04am

Was Barcia wearing one in this crash?  Usually you can visually see that it has gone off, I could not see it in this case, but it wasn't like the cameras were focused on him either.  I assume he was wearing one, and if so, his crash was a pretty compelling case for a somewhat evidence-based scenario where wearing one might not only save your life, but allow you to be back on the track a couple of weeks later after something that horrific. If I didn't have sponsor conflicts and was a regular SX rider, I would at least be trying one on to humor myself.

2

The Shop

Freakazoid
Posts
231
Joined
2/7/2017
Location
Tahoe, CA US
1/13/2026 7:21am

I want to get one. I need one both for road racing and MX

1/13/2026 7:21am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

35
matze
Posts
1865
Joined
3/1/2014
Location
Stuttgart DE
1/13/2026 7:28am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2026 7:29am

We’ve come a loooong way when it comes to safety. There’s no way I wouldn’t want to wear an airbag system (I actually do for street riding). Those things increase a rider’s safety by like 10×.

I wonder if, had this crash happened 15 years ago and he was wearing an early version of a neck brace instead, where movement was very limited, the crash would have been significantly worse? The head tuck right before hitting the ground is what saved him imo. Now imagine he wouldn’t have been able to do that, and on top of that, the back of the neck brace just drills straight into your back…

Maybe this is exactly the type of crash you dont want to have while wearing a neck brace. Sorry, I don’t want to start a discussion here, just some random thoughts. I cant believe barcia is alright. What a relief!

12
cloverdale
Posts
373
Joined
6/20/2009
Location
Zionsville, IN US
1/13/2026 7:30am
Was Barcia wearing one in this crash?  Usually you can visually see that it has gone off, I could not see it in this case, but...

Was Barcia wearing one in this crash?  Usually you can visually see that it has gone off, I could not see it in this case, but it wasn't like the cameras were focused on him either.  I assume he was wearing one, and if so, his crash was a pretty compelling case for a somewhat evidence-based scenario where wearing one might not only save your life, but allow you to be back on the track a couple of weeks later after something that horrific. If I didn't have sponsor conflicts and was a regular SX rider, I would at least be trying one on to humor myself.

Yes, he was using the Tech Air.

1
-MAVERICK-
Posts
65542
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario CA
1/13/2026 7:32am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

No.

1000010366.png?VersionId=r8e
8
Spike33
Posts
430
Joined
1/6/2024
Location
Malibu, CA US
1/13/2026 7:32am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

11
Xeno
Posts
3728
Joined
12/30/2010
Location
San Clemente, CA US
1/13/2026 7:35am
Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

Because this is VitalMx.

20
2
1/13/2026 9:19am
Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

Xeno wrote:

Because this is VitalMx.

This should be a Vital Hall of Fame quote.

14
2
aeffertz
Posts
12441
Joined
7/16/2015
Location
La Crosse, WI US
1/13/2026 9:29am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

-MAVERICK- wrote:
No.

No.

1000010366.png?VersionId=r8e

Did it not deploy? 

1
1
-MAVERICK-
Posts
65542
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario CA
1/13/2026 9:39am
aeffertz wrote:

Did it not deploy? 

It did. 

1000010368

Clip from last year 

3
hubbardmx50
Posts
2774
Joined
11/17/2016
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
1/13/2026 9:42am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

-MAVERICK- wrote:
No.

No.

1000010366.png?VersionId=r8e
aeffertz wrote:

Did it not deploy? 

Yes it deployed. The air starts to escape 5 seconds after deployment I believe is what Alpinestars says. It doesn't stay puffed up so you can get back in the race. 

If you slow the video down, you can see it go off after he bounces off of Malcolm's arm. If you look extremely close, you can see the white shoulder pads pop out. 

8
aeffertz
Posts
12441
Joined
7/16/2015
Location
La Crosse, WI US
1/13/2026 9:52am
aeffertz wrote:

Did it not deploy? 

-MAVERICK- wrote:
It did. Clip from last year 

It did. 

1000010368

Clip from last year 

Yeah I knew he wore one but looking at that photo, I would’ve thought you’d be able to see the deflated airbag or something. 

2
Johnny Ringo
Posts
7996
Joined
1/11/2016
Location
Tombstone, AZ US
1/13/2026 10:17am

You gotta think that helped him a ton. Great invention

11
shortty761
Posts
694
Joined
4/2/2024
Location
Newport News, VA US
1/13/2026 10:22am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

Because he’s trying to stir shit up/ragebait. 

Ridiculous.


I for one want one of those A Stars inflatable protectors after seeing that. I wonder if they can bring the prices down some if they become more common place.

6
4
Mr. Plump
Posts
90
Joined
3/6/2025
Location
Lewistown, PA US
1/13/2026 10:24am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2026 10:25am

I'll be honest, I wasn't sold on the air bag system for moto, but this crash seems to be a real testament to the effectiveness of this technology. At least for this type of crash. I find it absolutely mind-blowing that Barcia does not have more broken bones or internal damage. His body completely rag-dolled after an extremely hard hit, basically dropping out of the sky. I'm so thankful he is OK, and it's difficult to deny that the air bag system played a big part in that.

21
SrfNdirt
Posts
808
Joined
10/29/2016
Location
don't call it cali, CA US
1/13/2026 10:44am

Yes open your wallets now. I'm sure everyone of us will be hitting 70' triples that send you 30' in the air. 

1
24
1/13/2026 10:52am

Pretty sure he wears the Troy Lee Designs ROCKFIGHT, ya know, the one made by his title sponsor.

Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

shortty761 wrote:
Because he’s trying to stir shit up/ragebait. Ridiculous.I for one want one of those A Stars inflatable protectors after seeing that. I wonder if they can bring...

Because he’s trying to stir shit up/ragebait. 

Ridiculous.


I for one want one of those A Stars inflatable protectors after seeing that. I wonder if they can bring the prices down some if they become more common place.

Great safety item.

What is the cost of it, and is it cost effective to refurbish after it deploys, please?

 

1
2
Johnny Ringo
Posts
7996
Joined
1/11/2016
Location
Tombstone, AZ US
1/13/2026 11:02am
SrfNdirt wrote:

Yes open your wallets now. I'm sure everyone of us will be hitting 70' triples that send you 30' in the air. 

You aren’t? 

4
hubbardmx50
Posts
2774
Joined
11/17/2016
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
1/13/2026 12:22pm
Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

shortty761 wrote:
Because he’s trying to stir shit up/ragebait. Ridiculous.I for one want one of those A Stars inflatable protectors after seeing that. I wonder if they can bring...

Because he’s trying to stir shit up/ragebait. 

Ridiculous.


I for one want one of those A Stars inflatable protectors after seeing that. I wonder if they can bring the prices down some if they become more common place.

Great safety item.

What is the cost of it, and is it cost effective to refurbish after it deploys, please?

 

1
1/13/2026 12:34pm
SrfNdirt wrote:

Yes open your wallets now. I'm sure everyone of us will be hitting 70' triples that send you 30' in the air. 

jumps at pala are big. A lot of us are hitting jumps…are you under the impression that jumps are only in supercross? Are you the new viewer that the broadcast is always talking about?

23
Mr. Plump
Posts
90
Joined
3/6/2025
Location
Lewistown, PA US
1/13/2026 12:37pm
SrfNdirt wrote:

Yes open your wallets now. I'm sure everyone of us will be hitting 70' triples that send you 30' in the air. 

jumps at pala are big. A lot of us are hitting jumps…are you under the impression that jumps are only in supercross? Are you the new...

jumps at pala are big. A lot of us are hitting jumps…are you under the impression that jumps are only in supercross? Are you the new viewer that the broadcast is always talking about?

I was thinking the same thing...just last Wednesday, I was hitting a 100' table top and I'm a 46 year old Vet rider. I may not have been 30' in the air, but I was high enough to appreciate some protection if I crashed!! lol

6
1/13/2026 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 1/13/2026 12:46pm
jumps at pala are big. A lot of us are hitting jumps…are you under the impression that jumps are only in supercross? Are you the new...

jumps at pala are big. A lot of us are hitting jumps…are you under the impression that jumps are only in supercross? Are you the new viewer that the broadcast is always talking about?

A good old fashioned high-side can bruise/crack ribs, rupture a spleen, snap a collarbone.

That kind of high-speed impact is what these air vests were designed for in the first place, not falling out of the sky. The forthcoming Alpinestars Parachute Vest will solve that problem.

3
1
1/13/2026 1:03pm
A good old fashioned high-side can bruise/crack ribs, rupture a spleen, snap a collarbone.That kind of high-speed impact is what these air vests were designed for...

A good old fashioned high-side can bruise/crack ribs, rupture a spleen, snap a collarbone.

That kind of high-speed impact is what these air vests were designed for in the first place, not falling out of the sky. The forthcoming Alpinestars Parachute Vest will solve that problem.

we know. The motocross version has been developed to deploy while you’re falling out of the sky….like we saw with barcia…The vest will improve the outcome of any scenario where you are going to hit the ground. Not sure what you’re getting at here. 

1
DR176
Posts
125
Joined
12/3/2014
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA US
1/13/2026 1:32pm
A good old fashioned high-side can bruise/crack ribs, rupture a spleen, snap a collarbone.That kind of high-speed impact is what these air vests were designed for...

A good old fashioned high-side can bruise/crack ribs, rupture a spleen, snap a collarbone.

That kind of high-speed impact is what these air vests were designed for in the first place, not falling out of the sky. The forthcoming Alpinestars Parachute Vest will solve that problem.

we know. The motocross version has been developed to deploy while you’re falling out of the sky….like we saw with barcia…The vest will improve the outcome...

we know. The motocross version has been developed to deploy while you’re falling out of the sky….like we saw with barcia…The vest will improve the outcome of any scenario where you are going to hit the ground. Not sure what you’re getting at here. 

Not true, it's there to detect many different crash scenarios depending on which setting you are using. Not only that but I'm almost positive that the setting the guys are using in supercross is different than what comes stock for people like you and I. 

2
Wandell
Posts
7788
Joined
12/17/2008
Location
Cairo, GA US
1/13/2026 2:07pm
Spike33 wrote:

Why post when you don’t know? Weird. 

Xeno wrote:

Because this is VitalMx.

EXACT;Y. IF WE WERE LIMITED TO POSTING ONLY CONCRETE FACTS, THERE WOULD BE ONLY 1 OR 2 POSTS PER MONTH!

3
1

Post a reply to: Alpinestar Tech Air - Barcia A1 crash

The Latest