With an underlayer, TA5, and suit on, it is bloody warm just standing around. Suit ventilation is obviously key, but you are either keeping everything on between sessions, or taking the whole thing off. No arms out halfsies.
I like the IAM’s VAT proposal for airbag jackets: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/media-policy/media-enquiries/news-details/2023/08/08/i-wouldn-t-be-alive-today-without-my-air-jacket-how-axing-vat-from-a-remarkable-item-of-safety-kit-could-save-the-lives-of-thousands-of-motorcyclists/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=vatonppe
Never given this much thought tbh. Do helmets attract VAT? I guess not as they are compulsory (removes rose tinted specs). edit. Answering my own question. Helmets are vat free but nothing else protective for bike wear. Bonkers. Boots, gloves, leathers etc all carry vat. I feel a letter to my (f’ing useless) MP is called for.
Ive just sent this via email. Feel free to use as you wish. Good afternoon, A recent report (Motorcycling and the Future of Transport, NMC, MCIA – February 2023) identified that motorcyclists accounted for 13 per cent of casualties and 20 per cent of deaths on Britain’s roads, despite only making up between 1 and 3 per cent of road users. The only item of motorcycling protective equipment that does not currently attract VAT is the riders helmet. Essential protective equipment including leathers, boots, gloves and protective textiles all attract VAT. A more recent innovation is the motorcycle airbag (or combined airbag and jacket) also attracts VAT. These items are all covered under various CE markings which classify how protective they are. Motorcycling is a comparatively cheap form of transport and as such attracts younger people and those without significant disposable income to spend on protective gear. Motorcycles are much kinder to the environment in comparison to cars and their use should be encouraged. The Institute of Advanced Motorists are pushing for the removal of VAT on airbag jackets but I strongly feel that VAT should be removed from all CE rated motorcycle gear. The reduction in serious injury and resulting care provided by the NHS would surely more than fund the loss of revenue to the Treasury. I look forward to your comments and hope that you feel energised to discuss this with the relevant ministers. Kind regards Power to the people!
I understand the sentiment but, I don’t think this would play out quite the way you hope, my view is formed having been aware of the many loops motorcycling bodies have made around this topic since helmets were made compulsory in 1973, and also the way safety equipment is mandated in motorsport then subsequently controlled. The most likely outcome is that a range of safety gear would be made compulsory - airbags, leathers, boots, gloves, made to a specific standard which encourages poor “just meet the standard” import tat, as helmet CE does now (some of the crap that passes current standards would be funny if it wasn’t wrongly giving riders a false sense of safety) and penalises type approval of small manufacturers that would probably still pass the test after 20 crashes easily. Then, because it is compulsory, the user demand is not discretionary other than brand, suppliers will push the prices up anyway (like with helmets) well beyond the 20% vat that previously went to the government when it was optional. A few years hence, a review of the standards will be introduced, making the previous non-compliant and the tat manufacturers gravy train starts again, to the very real cost of motorcyclists and motorcycling. so, be careful what you wish for !
@Jon Wright You may be right that we should be cautious. However, I'm more relaxed about things becoming mandatory. It seems to me highly unlikely. Sadly, this crap protection includes Dainese textiles nowadays (some scoring 0.2 seconds abrasion resistance in MotoCAP testing): https://motocap.com.au/products/jac...older_ratings:1&f[2]=primary_material:Textile
I’m pretty relaxed about mandated protection. They have it elsewhere and most sensible people wear reasonable gear. Plus I very much doubt anything will happen but it’s good to get the MPs to do something. I’ve had a response to my email and the concern will be passed on. Then nothing will happen apart from a bland response that “they looked at this in 20** and decided not to do anything, so Foxtrot Oscar”. Fun though.
In the interest of data collection I deployed my TA5 at Donington Redgate a couple of weeks ago. Pretty fast low side and jumped the exit kerb with a heavy impact on the shoulder, but I was up and unscathed. Probably saved a collarbone. I was wearing my brand new Revit Hyperspeed 2 suit, made it 2.5 sessions before trashing it. It expands for the airbag, but wow it was tight when it went off (adrenaline + airbag making it slightly hard to breathe for a few mins). It's way nicer than my old Alpinestars MX1 tank, but doesn't crash anywhere near as well. Got the TA5 recharged, and was back out on track with no issues couple weeks after. https://www.hill4leather.com/ did a fantastic job repairing the suit so even that looks pretty decent again. So definitely recommend an airbag, not sure if I recommend the Revit suit (though I'm not hurt and it looks cool), and definitely recommend hill4leather.
I tested my RST airbag at Snetterton. Nelson. Cleared the track and about 20 years in the tumble dryer over the grass. Not a mark on me. Changed the inflator myself and good to go.
If you buy an intercom at the same time as a helmet then that will also be VAT free (seems an odd loophole)
I know it's not an airbag jacket but this year I bought a helite 2e vest. Sizing was the hard part and I ended up going down a size so it didn't swamp me. I went for a vest as I liked the idea of being able to switch around what I wear underneath. So far I have used it in the hottest part of the summer and it's been fine.
me too, I wear the tech air 5 then a dianese air frame jacket over the top In summer. the Alpinestar one is totally stand alone, and can be re-charged by an Alpinestar service centre of which I think there are a few now in the UK. I think the RST one you have to pay a subscription for
Helmet City Oxford do helmet and comms VAT free if they fit the comms. Last advert I saw for Infinity, they only reduce the VAT on the coms by 16%. Andy
okay up to about 28 dedgrees, I’ll be totally honest and say the one main downside of the tech air 5 is that it could flow air better than it does, nd preferably would be open under the arms, that said you have to consider it’s has air bags around the shoulders which Some don’t. if you wear it with a non mesh jacket, the comfortable limit is probably 20-22 Degrees. I wear mine for trackdays also hence why when spending £500 I wanted something that could do it all
As above re Tech A5 and mesh jacket. Over the last few hot weekends of around 30C your T-shirt is soaked if out all day. Also bear in mind the Tech A5 is not waterproof. After 500 hours the bag needs to go off for a wash and check over(presuming it hasn’t activated) Infinity charge £100. Make sure the droid resets the In app notification. Mine didn’t so it’s gone back again. You have the option of the hours run counter being set back to zero or continue hours run; as in when the bag is armed. Not on charge off the bike. They break the seal and wash the outer to. My smelt of lilac meadows and tings.
I think it’s because there’s no Vat on helmets as they are a legally required safety item so if you buy the comms at the same time it’s all supposed to be one purchase
