Helite

That depends mainly on where and how you ride.

Road and motorcycle touring: here the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma, the Helite Turtle 2.0 or e-Turtle 2.0 are the options.

Adventure travel with occasional off-road sections: here the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma is particularly interesting. It offers both a road and an off-road mode and combines well with a classic adventure motorcycle jacket. The advantage: the shoulder and elbow protectors can stay in the jacket. Only the back protector is removed, since the Tech-Air 5 Plasma already has its own. So you keep the protection of the jacket's standard protectors, supplemented by the airbag when it deploys.

Enduro and rally raid: here we recommend the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road or the Helite Off Road. Both systems were developed specifically for demanding off-road use and already come with extensive integrated protectors. In our experience these off-road airbags are most comfortable under a light riding shirt, a rally jacket or a thin rain jacket.

Motocross: for this there is the purpose-built Alpinestars Tech-Air MX.

Not sure which airbag suits your motorcycle and the way you ride? Call us or write to us. We'll gladly help you choose.

Both systems have their advantages.

A mechanical airbag is connected to the motorcycle by a tether. It needs no battery and no electronic crash detection. However, the tether must be attached correctly and build up enough pull in a crash to trigger the deployment.

Electronic airbags detect a crash using sensors and dedicated deployment electronics. No connection to the motorcycle is needed. In return, the systems have to be charged and must be suitable for the type of riding you do.

Which system suits you better depends on your motorcycle, your riding style and your personal requirements.

That depends on the airbag system and your motorcycle jacket.

The Helite Turtle 2.0 and e-Turtle 2.0 are worn over the motorcycle jacket. That makes them compatible with many different jackets.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma, on the other hand, is worn under the jacket. It has an integrated back protector, so the jacket's existing back protector is removed. The shoulder and elbow protectors can stay in the jacket as long as there is enough room for the airbag.

The systems developed specifically for off-road use, such as the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road and the Helite Off Road, already have extensive protectors integrated. So the corresponding protectors are removed from any motorcycle jacket worn over them.

From our experience: because of their integrated protectors, the off-road systems are noticeably bulkier than, for example, the Tech-Air 5 Plasma. That's why we prefer them under a light riding shirt, a rally jacket or a thin rain jacket. That gives plenty of freedom of movement and is comfortable especially on long rally stages.

With all systems it is important that the clothing worn over them leaves enough room for the airbag to inflate fully and is suitable for the combination.

No. The manufacturers of the airbag systems we sell prohibit using them together with a neck brace.

The reason: on deployment, the airbag also inflates in the shoulder and neck area. An additional neck brace can obstruct this inflation and be pushed upwards by the inflating airbag. This can put dangerous forces on the helmet and head.

The inflated airbag also supports the neck and limits its range of movement. In doing so it provides a protective function similar to a classic neck brace, especially against hyperextension of the neck. From our own experience in rally and off-road riding we can confirm how clearly a deployed airbag limits head movement.

An additional neck brace is therefore neither intended nor permitted with the airbag systems we sell.

Yes, but the system must be explicitly suitable for off-road use.

Off-road riding produces very different movements and loads than riding on the road. That is why the deployment algorithms differ too.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma, for example, has its own off-road mode, making it suitable for adventure tours with gravel and off-road sections as well. For demanding enduro riding or rally raid, however, the purpose-built systems such as the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road or the Helite Off Road are the better choice.

What matters is that you use the mode intended for the type of riding you do.

No. All airbag systems we offer at THATS-RALLY work without a subscription.

With your purchase you get a fully functional airbag system. You neither have to pay a monthly fee nor buy an additional licence to use the airbag. Only after a deployment can there be costs for new cartridges, gas inflators or a required service.

The electronic systems from Alpinestars and Helite don't need a paid subscription either.

The right fit is especially important with an airbag. The vest has to sit comfortably but must not be too loose either. Sizes vary depending on the manufacturer and model. That's why you'll find the matching size charts and sizing notes on our airbag vests.

You can also try the airbag vests on in our showroom. There we can not only help you with the size but also show you what an inflated vest feels like. Using compressed air, we can fill suitable systems for demonstration purposes without firing a cartridge. Especially if you've never worn an airbag before, it's an interesting experience.

After a deployment the air escapes by itself. With most systems the airbag doesn't need to be refolded or repacked afterwards.

With Helite you can replace the used CO₂ cartridge yourself. On the Alpinestars systems Tech-Air 5 Plasma, Off-Road and MX the gas inflators can also be replaced using the matching replacement kits, as far as the manufacturer has approved replacement by the user.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air MX is a special case: here the shoulder airbag inflates outside the vest. After a deployment it has to be put back into the pockets provided by hand.

Some systems, for example the Helite Off Road and the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road, allow several deployments before new cartridges or gas inflators are needed.

After a crash you should always check the vest for possible damage. On Alpinestars systems you can also inflate the airbag yourself using the supplied adapter and an air pump to check that it is airtight. This makes particular sense if, for example, you've ridden through thorns or landed on a sharp-edged object.

That depends on the manufacturer and the particular system.

With Helite you can replace the cartridge after a deployment and keep using the vest afterwards, provided it is undamaged.

With Alpinestars the number of deployments is limited before the airbag itself has to be replaced as part of a service. The Tech-Air 5 Plasma and Tech-Air MX are designed for up to six deployments.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road is a special case: this system does not lock itself automatically after a certain number of deployments. That matters in rally raid in particular, where airbag systems are mandatory at events like the Dakar Rally and have to stay operational throughout a multi-day event. Alpinestars nevertheless requires a full service after the fourth deployment, in which the gas inflators and the airbag are replaced.

So a deployment doesn't mean you immediately have to buy a new airbag vest. Depending on the system, however, there may be maintenance or service costs.

Yes. All airbag systems in our range are delivered with the cartridges or gas inflators needed for first use.

With Helite the CO₂ cartridges are already fitted. The electronic Alpinestars systems are likewise delivered complete with the required gas inflators. So you don't have to buy an additional cartridge to use your new airbag vest.

Replacement cartridges and other parts can be found in our category Airbag cartridges & spare parts.

That depends on whether you use a mechanical or an electronic airbag.

The Helite Turtle 2.0 works with a mechanical tether and needs neither a battery nor power.

Electronic systems from Helite and Alpinestars are charged via USB. Depending on the model, one battery charge lasts roughly 25 to 30 hours of riding. So you don't have to charge the vest after every ride. You can check the battery level on the status display. The systems also warn you when the battery is low.

Yes, although the options differ depending on the manufacturer.

On all Alpinestars models in our range you can wash the textile vest yourself. To do so, the airbag and the electronics are removed first. The textile shell can then be hand-washed at 30 °C. How to remove the airbag and the electronics and refit them correctly afterwards is described in the respective user manual. So you don't have to send the vest back to the manufacturer for this.

Helite vests are cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge. The removable sleeves of the Helite Off Road can go in the washing machine at 30 °C.

What matters is that the airbag, the electronics and the deployment mechanism are never washed.