New Rule for 2028 MXGP Season AND Motocross of Nations: Functional Airbag System is Mandatory

chasetwo79
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Edited Date/Time 9/3/2026 8:55am

Per RacerX - this is a big change. How's everyone feel about it? 


https://racerxonline.com/2026/09/03/2028-mxgp-mxon-functional-operation…

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30minmotos
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9/3/2026 9:01am

Not a big fan. I think having a specific rating to meet should be enough. Air bag set up is massively costly and hot etc.

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SEEMEFIRST
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9/3/2026 10:15am

So, do they get to continue on (if able) with a non-functioning unit after a deployment?

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9/3/2026 10:21am
SEEMEFIRST wrote:

So, do they get to continue on (if able) with a non-functioning unit after a deployment?

That’s a very good question. I’m not sure how many times it can deploy but it’s not uncommon for rides to have 2 or even more crashes in a moto.

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Beagle
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9/3/2026 10:55am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2026 11:28am
SEEMEFIRST wrote:

So, do they get to continue on (if able) with a non-functioning unit after a deployment?

That’s a very good question. I’m not sure how many times it can deploy but it’s not uncommon for rides to have 2 or even more...

That’s a very good question. I’m not sure how many times it can deploy but it’s not uncommon for rides to have 2 or even more crashes in a moto.

Airbags have been mandatory in MotoGP (Moto3 and Moto2) since 2018. No big deal. 

They're dual charge (two canisters): first crash they deploy in milliseconds, deflate automatically in about 10s then ready for another fall. 

I can't think of any time a rider would have had 2 crashes then tried to jump on the bike again just to be disqualified, usually by that time the motorcycle is toast (if not the rider).

Just saw that the FIM wrote that for MXGP "the airbag must be functional/operational at least at the start of each track session" so I guess they won't need to go full Pancho Villa with a bunch of canisters across the chest.

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The Shop

Joey Bridges
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9/3/2026 11:03am

Going to be wonderful on hotter n' hell days.

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tek14
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9/3/2026 11:05am

Good news. Bags have saved Yamaha riders all season. 

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Beta480RX
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9/3/2026 11:28am

Been required in FIM rally for years now, and at least in that realm Alpinestars isn't the only game in town.

I would assume this rule is also coming for EnduroGP.

In-Motion needs to get their algorithms setup for MX and regular off road. Would have bought a Klim airbag if it would have worked anywhere else other than rally use, but instead went the Alpinestars route.

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9/3/2026 11:36am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2026 12:25pm

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

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Robgvx
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9/3/2026 11:45am
SEEMEFIRST wrote:

So, do they get to continue on (if able) with a non-functioning unit after a deployment?

That’s a very good question. I’m not sure how many times it can deploy but it’s not uncommon for rides to have 2 or even more...

That’s a very good question. I’m not sure how many times it can deploy but it’s not uncommon for rides to have 2 or even more crashes in a moto.

If you read the wording of the ruling it says, “…the airbag must be functional/operational at least at the start of each track session.”

9/3/2026 11:47am
I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this...

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

Heeelllll yeah, brother. Helmets and boots are gay as fuck, too. Let me rip with a baseball cap and my trusty sneakers.

 

1000101451
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SEEMEFIRST
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9/3/2026 11:55am

I didn't realize they had 2 deployments in them.

I thought they were 1 and done.

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mx317
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9/3/2026 11:59am

That might mean better protection passed down to us nasty dirtbikers when other companies get involved. 

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NV825
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9/3/2026 12:06pm
I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this...

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags that are designed by really smart people to limit the damage as best as possible.

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9/3/2026 12:12pm

Going to be wonderful on hotter n' hell days.

You can say the same for helmets, boots, or whatever is worn. The protection appears to outweigh the heat issues in many crash scenarios. 

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9/3/2026 12:12pm
Heeelllll yeah, brother. Helmets and boots are gay as fuck, too. Let me rip with a baseball cap and my trusty sneakers. 

Heeelllll yeah, brother. Helmets and boots are gay as fuck, too. Let me rip with a baseball cap and my trusty sneakers.

 

1000101451

So, reading comprehension isn't your strongsuit. 

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9/3/2026 12:13pm
NV825 wrote:
Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags...

Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags that are designed by really smart people to limit the damage as best as possible.

Just like I told the other yahoo, try some reading comprehension. I never said I hate SEATBELTS. I said I hate seatbelt LAWS. Is that easier?

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Markopolo400
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9/3/2026 12:14pm
I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this...

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

NV825 wrote:
Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags...

Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags that are designed by really smart people to limit the damage as best as possible.

Honestly, I tend to agree with him.

Look at motorcycle helmet laws. I think people should be free to make their own decisions. I'll wear all the proper gear I can, but at the end of the day, DV still gone DV through them whoop de doos, regardless of the rules.

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9/3/2026 12:14pm
I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this...

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

So core. 💪 

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pummel
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9/3/2026 12:14pm

Big win for A-stars... Is this really fair?

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NV825
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9/3/2026 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 9/4/2026 5:16pm
I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this...

I think seatbelt laws are bullshit, just like this. Let people make their own fucking decisions. 

ETA: How vitarded do you have to be to interpret this as "Seatbelts and helmets are bullshit"? 

NV825 wrote:
Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags...

Yeah, because the best place to be in a bad car crash is violently thrown out of a window instead of inside a cage with airbags that are designed by really smart people to limit the damage as best as possible.

Honestly, I tend to agree with him.Look at motorcycle helmet laws. I think people should be free to make their own decisions. I'll wear all the...

Honestly, I tend to agree with him.

Look at motorcycle helmet laws. I think people should be free to make their own decisions. I'll wear all the proper gear I can, but at the end of the day, DV still gone DV through them whoop de doos, regardless of the rules.

Having required protection when operating machines that go really fast is a fair compromise to me. 

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msp332
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9/3/2026 1:10pm

Sounds like a good idea, but it can't be used with neck braces. I would like to see evidence that the airbag is as good as a neck brace.

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9/3/2026 3:12pm
pummel wrote:

Big win for A-stars... Is this really fair?

A-stars is one of the available airbags. I think there are close to 15 on the approved list, and some really nice ones. Both the RST and Shot SRG-1 vests look great. You can not get the MX algorithm from In&Motion in the US, thus not many people stateside know about all the options out there. 

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9/3/2026 3:24pm Edited Date/Time 9/3/2026 3:30pm

I personally think it's a great idea. At the speeds pro guys are going and how rough the tracks get, I think it will help reduce injuries. Yes, it's new but I it's appropriate for rider safety.

 

Look what it has done for MotoGP. None of those guys would go out without one now. 

 

It's natural to think that mandating something new for the sake of safety is overstepping ones personal choice. And I appreciate that, but I also feel like the organizing parties or association that organize racing should do everything they can to makes participation safer if possible.

 

 Think about F1 and how much controversy and hate there was with the idea of the Halo in 2018. Eight years later and multiple driver's lives have been saved because of it. I don't think any drivers would go out in a car without it now. 

 

Motocross is inherently dangerous! Why not do our best with technology to make it a bit safer?

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mitch199
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9/3/2026 3:32pm

If this change keeps even one Pro Rider from having a career ending injury, its a win. Understand the opinions here, but it's not like these guys are cruising around a practice track or racing a few weekends a year. Or even like 25y ago, racing 38hp factory 125s. These things are all 50hp+ (up to close to 70hp) rockets that do 100km/h in seconds. It's become appropriate for the sport to equip riders to keep them safer. 

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USA
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9/3/2026 4:57pm

ParkingLotWheelies:

does-anyone-know-of-we-still-have-to-follow-the-rules-in-v0-JkYR327teTFgEmn8waMksLg7c pCGCFiaLKk81jq-74
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9/3/2026 5:10pm
mitch199 wrote:
If this change keeps even one Pro Rider from having a career ending injury, its a win. Understand the opinions here, but it's not like these...

If this change keeps even one Pro Rider from having a career ending injury, its a win. Understand the opinions here, but it's not like these guys are cruising around a practice track or racing a few weekends a year. Or even like 25y ago, racing 38hp factory 125s. These things are all 50hp+ (up to close to 70hp) rockets that do 100km/h in seconds. It's become appropriate for the sport to equip riders to keep them safer. 

Already proven!!  Barcia at A1 was all I needed to see to be convinced this was the next big step in safety.  I won't ride a bike without one anymore.

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9/3/2026 6:06pm
USA wrote:
ParkingLotWheelies:

ParkingLotWheelies:

does-anyone-know-of-we-still-have-to-follow-the-rules-in-v0-JkYR327teTFgEmn8waMksLg7c pCGCFiaLKk81jq-74

This made me belly laugh, but true. Fuck the rules.🤣

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9/3/2026 6:32pm

If used, it may have extended Eli Tomac's career...

image 3692
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