Alpine Stars Tech Air Off Road
Although this system is called off road, it seem to be about the best all round vest for most of the riding we do in Australia, especially if you get out onto dirt roads or rougher Adventure riding.
This type of equipment is the future and like I was told before I bought my first protective 'ninja turtle' shirt. It was following a nasty get off on jagged rocks. I was lying in the foetal position on the lounge floor for a week, groaning and moaning.
"Go get one, it's cheaper than losing a week's wages" she pointed out.
I chose this over Tech Air 5 as the Off-Road version has neck protection built in.
Here's Alpinestars blurbs
The world’s first dedicated off-road Airbag System, Tech-Air® Off-Road comes with 3 Riding Modes; ENDURO, RALLY, AND STREET.
Riding Modes are easy to navigate while on the move via the LED Display located on the front of the System, or via the Tech-Air® App.
The Tech-Air® OFF-ROAD System features dual charge capability which means that with two full gas inflators, the System provides two separate airbagdeployments, since only one gas inflator will deploy to inflate the entire Airbag System during a crash scenario.
Quick release cover opening allows for rapid gas inflator replacement by user, only available in countries where gas inflator replacement by individuals is permitted by local regulations.
A fully self-contained, standalone system; 3 accelerometers (1 triaxial accelerometer) and 3 gyroscopes (1 triaxial gyroscope) are integrated in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to provide the best crash monitoring performance and active airbag protection in a variety of dynamic off-road riding scenarios. No external sensors are required for the system to operate.
The Tech-Air® OFF-ROAD System uses an integrated, certified lithium-ion battery, with a fully charged battery life of 30 hours and a recharge time of approximately 4 hours; charging the battery for approximately 1 hour will provide approximately 8 hours of riding time use.
The LED Display features an integrated charging port for convenient and easy charging of the System; simply plug in the USB-C cable into the Recharge Port on the System’s LED Display and connect it to a power source.
Ease of use; to turn on the Tech-Air® Off-Road System, simply zip up the System and it will automatically turn on and activate the Airbag System. To deactivate the airbag, unzip the System and it will automatically turn off.
A dedicated Shipping Mode slide switch is located on the ECU, which when turned on effectively puts the the System into sleep mode. Only accessible once the Electronic Case on the back protector is removed, the Shipping Mode switch allows the battery to be disconnected from the System during transportation or when the System will not be in use for a prolonged period of time. The System is sold with the Shipping Mode turned on, make sure to turn the Shipping Mode off when you open the box and use the Airbag System for the first time.
The Tech-Air® Off-Road System’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and airbag are completely removable so that the Protection Jacket can be washed separately
Riding Modes are easy to navigate while on the move via the LED Display located on the front of the System, or via the Tech-Air® App.
• ENDURO Mode is optimized for low and medium speed trails where the User rides on unpaved surfaces like gravel, riverbeds, mud, and other natural terrain. Typically, these riding scenarios include several changes in riding directions, tackling obstacles and hills at lower speeds.
• RALLY Mode is optimized for fast off-road action on any type of terrain and recommended for riding characterized by longer straight sections with multiple bumps and different types of terrain crossed at higher speeds, unlikely encountered in typical Enduro competitions. Typical environments where these riding scenarios occur are mainly characterized by desert terrain (with dunes and sandy ground), gravel and open countryside settings.
• STREET Mode is optimized for asphalt roads including situations in which the rider’s motorcycle is hit by another vehicle while stopped.
The Tech-Air® OFF-ROAD System features dual charge capability which means that with two full gas inflators, the System provides two separate airbag deployments, since only one gas inflator will deploy to inflate the entire Airbag System during a crash scenario.
Quick release cover opening allows for rapid gas inflator replacement by user, only available in countries where gas inflator replacement by individuals is permitted by local regulations(that's Australia)
A fully self-contained, standalone system; 3 accelerometers (1 triaxial accelerometer) and 3 gyroscopes (1 triaxial gyroscope) are integrated in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to provide the best crash monitoring performance and active airbag protection in a variety of dynamic off-road riding scenarios. No external sensors are required for the system to operate.
The Tech-Air® OFF-ROAD System uses an integrated, certified lithium-ion battery, with a fully charged battery life of 30 hours and a recharge time of approximately 4 hours; charging the battery for approximately 1 hour will provide approximately 8 hours of riding time use.
The LED Display features an integrated charging port for convenient and easy charging of the System; simply plug in the USB-C cable into the Recharge Port on the System’s LED Display and connect it to a power source.
Ease of use; to turn on the Tech-Air® Off-Road System, simply zip up the System and it will automatically turn on and activate the Airbag System. To deactivate the airbag, unzip the System and it will automatically turn off.
A dedicated Shipping Mode slide switch is located on the ECU, which when turned on effectively puts the the System into sleep mode. Only accessible once the Electronic Case on the back protector is removed, the Shipping Mode switch allows the battery to be disconnected from the System during transportation or when the System will not be in use for a prolonged period of time. The System is sold with the Shipping Mode turned on, make sure to turn the Shipping Mode off when you open the box and use the Airbag System for the first time.
The Tech-Air® Off-Road System’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and airbag are completely removable so that the Protection Jacket can be washed separately
ALPINESTARS OFF-ROAD PROTECTION JACKET TECH SPECS
Premium materials combined with an innovative design and honeycomb Nucleon Cell technology create a passive protector that is highly ventilated, lightweight, ergonomic, and robust.
Constructed from a breathable stretch mesh for superior ventilation while keeping the protection close to the rider’s body, the protective garment is CE certified Class C under garment.
Slim fit stretchable fabric construction features a floating, highly ventilated, and flexible thermoformed chest protector for an optimal riding experience.
Both the chest and back protectors incorporate new Nucleon CELL Technology which is light, flexible and highly ventilated for enhanced performance.
Robust internal housing located in the built-in CE-certified Nucleon CELL back protector accommodates the System ECU and gas inflators, allowing the Tech-Air® Off-Road System to be worn with any Alpinestars’ Tech-Air® Ready jacket, or any properly fitting motorcycling jacket.
Lateral zipper for a better fit and ease of use, and which allows the jacket to provide complete front chest protection.
Ergonomic design delivers exceptional rider comfort and freedom of movement.
Additional front padding on the arms and chest for enhanced roost protection.
Water bladder compatible: back holder for a Hydration pack with 1.5-3 Liter capacity already included.
The Tech-Air® Off-Road System’s ECU is seal-protected within the vest to ensure all-weather performance and the vest and componentry are certified to function between -10°C and 50°C.
The ECU has been homologated to ECE R10 04 which ensures the unit’s electromagnetic integrity and stability.
Bluetooth connectivity to a Tech-Air® App means the System’s operational status, battery status and My Ride Trip recording can also be easily accessed on a mobile device, subject to network coverage.
Users can easily update the System’s firmware when improved crash-detection algorithms are released via the Tech-Air® App.
FIM Cross Country Rally Regulations Homologated for race use.
Proven to be more than twice as protective as passive impact protectors.
Dual gas inflators deliver two airbag deployments for guaranteed protection.
Average inflation time of 52 milliseconds (depending on the size of the airbag).
Airbag coverage on chest, back, shoulders, and neck provides upper body protection.
Neck protection is provided by the airbag inflating around the neck in compliance with the FIM regulations.
The airbag has been fully certified for up to 4 airbag deployments before having to replace it, providing the airbag hasn’t been damaged in one of the first 3 deployments.
Performance tested according to DOLOMITICERT S.c.a.r.l. M.16.03.001.1 Protocol for Airbag Protectors Rev. 5 5/07/2022 on ENDURO, RALLY, and STREET algorithms.
Performance tested according to DOLOMITICERT’s Technical Disciplinary for Inflatable Protectors with Electronic Activation Revision 5 dated 13 October 2023.
IMPORTANT: neck (race collar) protectors are NOT compatible with Airbag Systems, accordingly the Tech-Air® OFF-ROAD System is NOT compatible with the use of Alpinestars’ Bionic Neck Support (BNS) nor any other neck protections.The Protection Jacket’s passive Chest protector is certified to CE Level 2, while the Back, Elbow and Shoulder protectors are certified to CE Level 1, providing additional protection against impacts in key areas; elbows and shoulders protectors are replaceable.
While I’ve long been a fan of the best protection I can get, it’s been passive as opposed to active. Up until now active protection has been a bit under-cooked. Cumbersome tether straps or not-so-smart tech that, it deployed would leave us with no protection at all for the trip home. Fine and dandy… if you’re planning the trailer the bike from a track day, hopeless if you’re out past the black stump.
Phew, it’s a costly thing. Essentially every time I fall off, it's gonna cost me $220, that's the cost of a canister replacement. On the other hand, every time I fall, it might cost me downtime, life or limb.
Part of the aging process is an increase in fragility, bone and bits break easier. If I’m gonna keep getting bike trips past the Minister for War and Finance, I’ll need a way to reassure her I’m as safe as can be.
Our brethren (and sisteren) road users are becoming increasingly hopeless, the bigger the cocoon of safety I can put between them and me, the better.
It is a bit heavy… but I removed 1.3 kg of armour from my jacket so there is a bit of an offset there. In reality, in the real world, the Tech Air suit is very well cut and comfortable. Once on, the weight disappears.
I have found that inside the back, where the hump containg the gas cylinders and electronics live, is a little flat and could have a bit more curve.
A couple of concerns I had were sorted out with my first rides.
Getting my head around the complexity of the system fell into place pretty well, once I worked out it has to be out of ‘Shipping Mode’ (page 18) to take the initial charge. It’s definitely a case of read the instruction (twice) prior to breaking it. Or in my case shouting at the Fkn thing! For example, rather than turning it on at the on button, the rider simply zips it up, sensors register it’s ready to go and fires it up in the last used setting.
Control is via the big button on the front of the vest or via an App. I wonder how the Highway Payroll might react to me changing safety settings – touching my phone. Hmmm.
I’ve worn a demo suit that deploys via a pump system and it’s impressive, without being uncomfortable. You do know it’s happened though.
So for the cost of a big service on the bike, I guess it’s well worth it if it keeps me riding and grinning.
