Although it equips all motorcyclists of the gendarmerie, the police, customs, but also the pilots of certain competitions, the motorcycle airbag has enjoyed growing success with the public in recent years. Why choose a motorcycle airbag? Rather vest or jacket? How does it work? Our answers.
In 2022 in France, 718 drivers and passengers of motorized two-wheelers lost their lives on our roads. 75% of injuries suffered by users of motorized two-wheelers after an accident are located in the abdomen, thorax or spine. On a motorized two-wheeler, your only bodywork is your equipment.
The French Insurance Federation and Insurance Prevention are signatories of the “Airbag Plan” charter , alongside Road Safety and other professional organizations specializing in road safety and motorized two-wheelers. It aims to protect the lives of their users by promoting the acquisition and wearing of motorcycle airbags.
Demonstrations of the use of a motorcycle airbag vest are carried out on our CRS/Assurance Prévention road education track .
What is a motorcycle airbag?
The motorcycle airbag comes in the form of a jacket or vest. The principle is the same regardless of the garment:
An airbag jacket allows you to equip yourself with a complete garment for driving a two-wheeler.
Less expensive, the vest can be worn over or under a classic motorcycle jacket or vest and can be used whatever the season.
Why choose the motorcycle airbag?
The motorcycle airbag reduces the risk of trauma related to impact in the event of an accident. It envelops the back, neck and abdomen, from the cervical to the lumbar region, and thus offers broader and more effective protection than a conventional motorcycle jacket. It protects the vital areas of the body: spine, thorax, abdomen.
The airbag jacket is a classic motorcycle jacket but hides an inflatable cushion, a gas cartridge and a trigger in its lining. The airbag vest is worn in addition to your usual jacket and contains these same elements.
In the event of a fall or collision, the airbag is triggered and helps keep the head-neck-trunk axis aligned.
In addition, unlike the car airbag, the motorcycle airbag remains inflated for around ten seconds and then deflates gradually to take into account the fact that a slide can last quite a long time.
How does the motorcycle airbag work?
Two mechanisms currently exist: wired or wireless. In the latter case, we distinguish between the radio-controlled system and the autonomous system.
The wired motorcycle airbag
The vest or jacket is connected to the motorcycle by a cable. In the event of a fall, as soon as the driver is ejected from his vehicle, the tension exerted on the cable activates a mechanism that triggers the inflation of the safety cushion. The motorcyclist is thus protected from the impact on the tarmac, from sliding and from the shock against a possible obstacle encountered during the fall. It can also be effective in the event of a direct impact against the passenger compartment of a vehicle, provided that the airbag is immediately triggered (be careful when adjusting the cable tension).
How to adjust the cable?
The cable attaches to a fixed part of the motorcycle, behind the driver. The attachment point must be solid and an integral part of the motorized two-wheeler. To adjust the cable to the correct length, keep your hands on the handlebars and adjust the strap to the shortest setting.
The wireless motorcycle airbag
The radio-controlled motorcycle airbag works like the wired version, but it is connected to the motorcycle not by a cable but by radio wave (bluetooth). In addition to the air cushions and the gas cartridge, the jacket is equipped with an electronic sensor.
When the system detects an accident situation (abnormal inclination, strong deceleration), it sends an order that triggers the inflation of the airbag automatically. The sensors can be installed on the motorcycle:
Fall sensor, placed on the frame to detect loss of control.
The more advanced autonomous vests or jackets are also more responsive. The sensors are integrated into the vest and detect all difficult situations (impacts, slips, strong decelerations). These systems are used in GP competition.
In the event of a fall at low speed, without impact and without sliding, it is imperative to check that neither the motorcycle’s electronic system nor the airbag clothing are damaged. To do this, drop off your clothing at your installer, who is the only person authorized to carry out this type of check. If the airbag clothing is intact, you can replace the gas cylinder and batteries.
In the event of an accident with impact and/or slipping or in the event of a minor fall with damage, the system must be changed as a whole.