Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 System Review

[@RevZilla]

Questions? Give our gear experts a call at 877.792.9455, or email/chat here: rvz.la/31xnH9M​

[@Lineman22705]

I’m literally sitting in my hospital room. Just got released from the trauma bay. 60% of my body is serious road rash. I have two major contusions on my hip. Those injuries are because I didn’t want to be hot today. The air bag saved my fucking life. 230’ roll at 90mph. All I remember is thinking when am I going to stop rolling. When I woke up the EMTs had cut my vest off and were amazed. Let me tell you this…….prior to this crash, I didn’t think I would ever crash and I thought the vest was enough. I had sweatpants on. I had a tshirt over the vest. I am in the most excruciating pain. 200mcg fentanyl has even subsided the pain. No breaks. No spine injury. No organ injury. Fucking unbelievable…….this air bag saved my life. Literally saved my life. I can’t stop thinking about it. Please wear all your gear. This guy turned into my lane with no warning and I had no time to react. $30,000 Ducati is totalled. But this Tech 5 bag saved my life and I’m gonna be ok

[@dbehr27]

Thanks for sharing, maybe someone else that thinks they'll never crash will heed your warning. I now ride with only airbag jackets, but when I crashed 4 years ago I didn't have one. However, I ALWAYS wore all my gear. If it's too hot to wear gear, it's too hot to ride, period. For me, same thing happened, while passing legally, this guy pulled into my lane and ran me off the road at about 65 mph. I had the best gear money could buy (didn't know about airbag jackets) and not one scratch - no roadrash. But 3 broken ribs, broken scapula and collarbone. But not one scratch on my skin. People, please listen to this guy!!! I bet he'd give about anything to go back in time and put gear on.

[@Lineman22705]

@@dbehr27 had I been wearing my Alpinestar jacket that’s made to be worn with the air bag and the armor leggings under my sweatpants……the pain would be much much less. The pain now is incredible. I hate to preach and preach because I didn’t listen to the guys that warned me…….but motherfucker wear the gear. It’s not a matter of if you will crash…..it’s when. I used to get so mad when my buddy said that to me. Fuck you im not going to crash. Lol. Wrong

[@chaabraaah5823]

Dude how awesome is it to hear it literally SAVED YOUR LIFE. 👏. We live in amazing times. I'm sorry you experienced it but you just probably convinced every guy on the fence who read your comment, to possibly save their lives. And then everyone they tell and so on.

[@Blox117]

are you a ♀

[@pastrie42]

HOw are you doing today man? I'm about to buy this air bag vest.

[@windyrun7979]

It would be very helpful to see the bag deployed with him wearing the recommended size tech air jacket.

[@Mrmarginofsafety]

Sizing: Add 3 inches to your chest measurements when looking at suit sizing, I had to go to a 54 from a 50 for a tech-air compatible jacket. The back protector is huge.

[@f42un84u]

Doubtful, it has more to do with your body shape

[@apantelop]

1000 times every millisecond means effectively every microsecond which I highly doubt. Probably meant to say "every millisecond" or "1000 times a second". Also keep in mind that is the accelerometer sampling rate, that does not imply that this is how often the algorithm makes a decision but it sounds impressive so the marketing teams claim that.

[@_RefriedBeans]

He said 1000 different checks every millisecond, so they likely have 1000 extrapolated data points at a 1ms resolution, which feeds into the algorithm to make the decision. Things like calculated acceleration etc. I’d love to know the exact response time of the algorithm itself. From the first noticeable point of data (in retrospect) to triggering inflation. That would be a cool stat in my opinion!

[@apantelop]

@@_RefriedBeans if the data are interpolated you don't really gain frequency resolution or bandwidth in the accelerometer signal whose content is capped by the Nyquist frequency of the original sampling rate so you don't really gain information content with interpolation nor do you really need more time resolution given the reaction times. I work on stuff like that and I highly doubt you need 1 million data points per second

[@Blox117]

1000hz sounds right

[@Blox117]

after all, the bags dont even deploy until ~25ms

[@sugggggon]

​@@_RefriedBeanslol that part he simply misspoke or misunderstands. The info is in reference to the 1Hz CPU (1000 clock cycles per second) checking the values of each internal measurement reading on each cycle and "deciding" whether to activate the airbag based on a formula at the end of each cycle. So it is 1000 checks per second, not 1000 per millisecond (1/1000th), which is ludicrous

[@ChilliRider123]

GET IT! Already saved me in a crash! I recommend it to anyone I ever come across who is a rider or thinking about riding! :D

[@BySixa]

Hey do you mind sharing your story?

[@ChilliRider123]

@@BySixa hey man, not much of a story. Since I last posted I had another crash and the airbag deployed successfully again. The first time I low sided at about 30kmph. Wet tram track and second crash I looped my bike doing about 80kmph. It would be great if they did a full body system so it would deploy like a Michelin man.🤣

[@WillfulThinker]

Let's say I am wearing the vest and I wheelie the bike. If I get the front high enough, the bag will deploy, correct? So the question is: how high? Maybe if I stand instead of sit, thereby keeping my body upright, the bag won't deploy. Also, if the bag does deploy while riding, am I still going to be able to keep my arms out in front of me to control the bike?

[@998RC]

This would be perfect if they let you change the canisters yourself - even without COVID, being up here in Canada it takes forever to get stuff shipped back and forth across the border, never mind how long Alpinestars would take to actually repair it. If I'm using this with an older standard race suit, should I remove the shoulder pads to give the vest room to expand?

[@998RC]

I'm also surprised that this only gives you CE level 2 protection rating. So there's really no difference between one of these and having CE 2 shoulder, back, chest pads plus a neck brace? Just without the bulk until you need it?

[@Bobby-wn5yr]

@@998RC that’s because the EU doesn’t have a rating system for airbags lol. It’s CE2 because that’s all it can be. It’s obviously better protection than just pads - that’s why they became mandatory in motoGP and are starting to head that way in armature leagues in some places too.

[@shartmmm2491]

Can you provide a bit more information about neck support? It's really weird to test the vest without a helmet on, because that's the most interesting part: Does it provide support to the neck?

[@AndresArrieta]

It does not nor the one from Dainese. It seems it’s a sacrifice they had to do to keep them small enough to be worn under any jacket. If you want neck protection you’ll need one that can only be worn on top. The only electronic on top airbag with neck protection I’ve seen is the eTurtle from Helite but it’s still not available in the US.

[@aikidokamks]

@@AndresArrieta the one by Klim that goes under the jacket has neck support though not quite as much as hellite which takes advantage of being outside the jacket

[@marcelltoth1302]

Yes, it DOES provide neck support! It inflates around the clavicle so it becomes much harder for your neck to perform lash-like movements.

[@AndresArrieta]

@@aikidokamks Awesome that's really good to know!

[@tenzinangio2744]

Shockingly overlooked point. Without neck protection anything is a pass for me. I feel like if it had decent neck protection, they would be promoing that too.

[@edmc_eu]

Hi RevZilla. Thank you for the quick review. Just one question for you: Is the Velcro time resistant? What if it doesn't close anymore? Is it easy to replace?

[@LanceBruce]

Couldn’t help noticing when you unfastened the chest strap then refastened it, the lights didn’t come back on. Now I’m concerned it may not work if not fastened exactly in the right way. Can you shed some light on this? BTW I’m currently healing from 10 broken ribs and two shoulder bones from a deer strike, so I’m very interested

[@anakinskywalker9752]

Do you need to carry your phone while using it on track?

[@RevZilla]

No, the phone does not need to be within the vicinity of the vest for the vest to be activated in the event of a crash.

[@avarria587]

It doesn't seem to really go around the neck like the Helite vest.

[@nealsteik9408]

Any info on whether they're gonna have an algorithm for off-road use?

[@Rok4s]

There is a demo of a off road version that is different from this one

[@RevZilla]

There was an off-road specific one launched at the last Dakar race that will be there go-to option in that realm. Still TBD on official launch for it though.

[@jjacks85]

Does it require any subscription fee to use this system (competitor does charge a monthly fee to use the system)

[@RevZilla]

Nope, there is no monthly system with any of the Alpinestars Tech Air systems.

[@dawidzimowski3608]

Some people had deployment without any reason - standing near their bikes or while riding. It is rly dangerous when this vest can deploy without any reason while driving. Can Alpinestars ar least recharge the west for free in case like that? Or cover the costs of the crash caused by false deployment?

[@iobenborbiliac5960]

I wonder if it'll deploy if you tuck the front end but save it like Marc Marquez...

[@davetrueman2240]

Just too hot in warm weather. Changed to Helite tethered.

[@elmert84]

I’m between this one and the helite. Which one should I get

[@707LAKE]

when using this airbag, do you remove all other padding (except elbow)???? @revzilla

[@RevZilla]

Yeah, Alpinestars designed the airbag to replace the need for Chest / Back / Shoulder armor.

[@BySixa]

​@RevZilla is that recommended though? Should i remove my back protector or does it just mean I'm fine to use this instead

[@TheMGSsolidsnake]

You say that it can be used with any suit, so I can use it with my Alpinestars Antem v4 ? I have a larger size so there should be enough space, I will be grateful for the answer because the website does not say that it is compatible and I am confused because I don't know if I should change the suit

[@Baldur_1]

How about the accidentaly deployment of the airbag?

[@Solomon866_]

Would I still have to pay if it falsely goes off?

[@scooterninja3479]

Yes

[@lupocci]

Can I use this on an ebike that goes 35 mph max? And on a ebike that goes 20 mph max?

[@MillsOn2Wheels]

Does anyone know how to wash this thing? Been wearing it all summer, hand washing starting to not work 😅

[@mcdonnelldouglasdc-104]

Hello.Are the Alpinestars Atem V1 and Atem V2 race suit produced ? How many years is the new model produced when it comes out ? Thank you.

[@RevZilla]

The V1 and the V2 generations of the Atem Race Suit are no longer manufactured. Currently the only option is the V4 that is currently available to be purchased.

[@kenjikenjikenj]

Is it ok to remove shoulder armor and/or back protector when wearing this vest underneath?

[@giodc8599]

Would not do that. Vest is not going to deploy all the time. Back protector you can remove, shoulder armor no.

[@bp7178]

You remove the back and chest protectors, but leave the shoulder and elbow.

[@mar-b9e]

@@bp7178 hello why keeping the shoulders protections since the jacket offer shoulder protection ?

[@Pmason718]

I own this vest and I don't ride without it.

[@freezersk]

For that price you should sleep in it too :-D Sorry could not help myself… :P

[@Pmason718]

@@freezersk my life and safety doesn’t have a price.

[@xcg1234]

Bro ofc, otherwise why buy it

[@UWfalcin]

Can you go fast on bumps without it deploying?

[@Pmason718]

@@UWfalcin absolutely

[@3415034150]

Did they fixe the update download problem on Android? Haven't been able to get it

[@RevZilla]

Last we heard they were still working on an update for android users, but that might be something worth reaching out to Alpinestars directly about to ask for a timeline.

[@giodc8599]

Mine was painfully slow and would freeze in the middle. I think i tried updating about 10 times before eventually getting it completed.

[@intotheblue1145]

Heaven forbid you ever get an issue outside of the US with this company as i had an issue updating software for my NEW jacket and 10 days on STILL NO REPLY. REALLY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

[@530siddhant]

So if this works on a racetrack what is the difference between this and the Tech Air Race vest which is pretty much double the price?

[@michaelstatia4493]

Tech race can only be used with tech air jackets. $300 for a repack vs $180. In race mode the Tech race can deploy twice before repack vs tech 5 is only one time before a repack. If you have one of the very high end Alpinestars or RS Taichi suits the tech race installs behind the liner. Basically if you are an Alpine stars fan that only wears their gear, get the tech race

[@RevZilla]

What Michael said is a great summary - the only part I will add is that with the Tech Air Race you also get the LED lights on the sleeve of the Race Suit to be able to quick-glance the status of the vest. Curious to see where the Tech Air Race line goes in the future though for sure.

[@masonmax1000]

so what if i get hit by a swarm of bees will it go off then? seriously asking.

[@mattd852]

Activating and deactivating safety gear via velcro is absolutely insane. It did not even activate at 3:09

[@riccardocastellano18]

I have the tech air 5. The velcro activation system is in fact a bit disappointing, and after months of use the little velcro patch starts to loose out. I had mine stitched up manually because it would fly away and deactivate the airbag WHILE riding. By the way, when it IS attached is very reliable. In the video, the lights come on and off quickly because the battery is completely dead, not because it is not recognizing the activation signal

[@MrErikkj]

Mine won't connect with the Phone as soon as i put a jacket over it. Anyone else got that problem?

[@EvMc305]

Just got mine. Obviously I'll be removing back protector. Anyone else remove the shoulder armor too?

[@RevZilla]

Removing the shoulder armor of your jacket is usually recommended, since the airbag takes over the protection in that area. Although, if the armor is thin enough you can leave it in too.

[@jt6332]

Is it me or did it use to have some sort of hip protection? On the previous street version

[@guzziman]

The vest is expensive, but cheaper than an ambulance ride

[@informedwolf9124]

I would be scared shitless that it would deploy randomly while im at high speed and actually cause me to crash

[@areakot]

What about the smell after a while?Alpinestars says to take it to a dealer and he will wash it for us...What a joke...

[@josephfelice601]

You can only recharge it 3 times and then is ready for the garbage. They need to fix that, or design replacements that are priced reasonably.

[@RevZilla]

I think you may have misheard - after the 3rd deployment - the Airbag itself (the internals) need to be replaced and Alpinestars does that for around $300 (along with the canister). The rest of the vest, as long as not damaged in one of your 3 crashes, is still fine to continue using. So they do have reasonably priced replacements should you continue to crash.

[@josephfelice601]

@@RevZilla Ok thanks... LOL on "continue to crash" .... the worlds best racers "continue to crash"..

[@jg5529]

Do I want my spirited street riding behavior to be recorded by the vest? Nope!

[@3415034150]

I use it without the app. No recording. Ever

[@arobjavan9481]

All that talk and no demonstration, common guys, get real.