Talk to me about the Tech-Air 7 versus Tech-Air Race. Has anyone compared the two? Incidentally, both provide much more airbag coverage than the latest D-Air range. Is Dainese after the prize for the least airbag coverage?
Bit of an RST fan for good reason:- https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/real-world-crash-tested-gear-review.97611/
I’ve got a tech-air 5 vest which I appreciate isn’t quite what you are looking at, but the relevant point I would mention is that it’s too difficult imo to keep it hygienic. Im not a particularly smelly sweater and I look after my kit but after 4-5 trackdays despite my efforts my tech air vest doesn’t smell great I’ll be honest. Assuming the 7 uses the same upper body design I’d be weary of this. the Alpinestar app is also total garbage
I can confirm a track day test of the RST as successful as it prevented a friend from serious injury at Almeria. A few scrapes and bruises. I can also confirm several alpinestar failures of its software so the suit would not activate. There were 2 cases in our garage alone. I'd buy an RST if it was my money.
Interesting. I came off at a lick at Donington last year and my Alpinestars didn’t go off. Alpinestars checked the log files and told me it was all good (but they would eh?). So I assumed I hadn’t Velcro’d the switch closed properly. Hmmm….
Considering their cost and safety importance, it’s disappointing we have no way of knowing how good airbag algorithms are. As consumers, it leaves us guessing about airbag reliability. An Astars representative advised me to get the Tech-Air Race or Street, not the Tech-Air 5. I gather the Tech-Air 5 has only half as many sensors (five, hence the name) as the Race and Street systems’ ten sensors. I was put off In&Motion because I heard several of their bags split during inflation. However, the RST experiences mentioned above show it did the job – perhaps In&Motion has fixed its bag quality.
Per the link to my post I’ve had two offs in RST airbag equipped suits. First a relatively low speed low side. Second time the suit literally saved my life. Both suits were purchased in 2021 but the “factory” race suit had a mysterious free upgrade applied in 2022. That might have been to sort any known issues?
Thanks. A mysterious free upgrade fits the bill for sorting any known issues. Either way, your airbag clearly works!
Bennetts did a fantastic video comparing the various airbags. Look from 29 minutes onwards to see how their coverage compares. However, frustratingly, the airbags omitted from the video were the Tech-Air Race, 5 and 7
I would recommend that you watch the full video. Some of the manufacturers use differing test criteria and it can be like comparing apples with oranges.
Lower is better: the lower the number, the less force hits you. However, I also recommend you watch the full video.
I wore a Helite for many years only swapping to an Alpinestars in March this year. I tested it in a field at 0mph and it deployed before I hit the floor. I had to return it to be reloaded and checked, which took a couple of weeks. I’m slightly concerned about how it might smell in a few years, but need to reread the instructions. The app is simple enough.
