Action photo by Joseph Agustin

IN THE MAY 2024 ISSUE , I stated in my First Gear column – “ Invest in Yourself ” – that , as part of our commitment to safety , Rider staffers are now required to wear an airbag vest anytime they are on a test bike or at a press launch . Fully autonomous airbag vests are so effective at protecting a rider ’ s torso and vital organs that we consider them as indispensable as a full- coverage helmet .

Alpinestars provided each member of our editorial team with a Tech- Air 5 vest , which looks like a heavy- duty T- shirt that zips up the front . The vest has a built- in ventilated back protector with a compartment that contains argon gas canisters . Inside the breathable fabric of the vest is an airbag that , upon deployment , protects the back , shoulders , chest , and sides of the torso . The vest should be form- fitting , and it is worn under your riding jacket . There should be at least 1.5 inches of space around the circumference of your torso to allow room for the airbag to deploy inside the jacket . You can keep the shoulder and elbow armor in your jacket , but you should remove the jacket ’ s back protector since the vest has one built into it .

A charging cable is provided , and the battery is good for up to 30 hours of riding time ( to be on the safe side , I charge mine after every ride ). Pairing the vest with the Tech- Air App allows you to get over- the- air firmware updates , change ride modes ( Street or Race ), and check battery status . Zipping up the vest and securing the Velcro flap at the top turns on the Tech- Air , and a series of red / amber / green LED lights on the front indicate when the vest is activated .

The Tech- Air ’ s electronic system has six integrated sensors ( three gyroscopes and three accelerometers ) and an AI- enhanced algorithm that monitors conditions and deploys the airbag in the event of a crash . Alpinestars says the Tech- Air 5 decreases impact force by up to 95 % compared to a passive back protector , equivalent to “ 18 back protectors ,” and the system also protects the rider ’ s shoulders , chest , and ribs .

Once the vest is on and my riding jacket is zipped up , I forget I ’ m wearing the Tech- Air 5 – so much so that when I took a parkinglot speed tumble and the airbag deployed , it took me by surprise . Deployment takes only 20- 40 milliseconds , depending on the vest ’ s size . Alpinestars ’ research found that most

crashes last 1.5 seconds , so the airbag deflates after about 5 seconds . On a hot day , the non- breathable airbag impedes airflow , but that ’ s a small price to pay for such a high level of protection .

If the Tech- Air 5 deploys , it must be returned to Alpinestars to have the airbag inspected and the gas canisters replaced . For the first three deployments , only the gas canisters need to be replaced ($ 179 ). After the third deployment , the canisters and the airbag need to be replaced ($ 299 ). Service takes about a week .

The Alpinestars Tech- Air 5 retails for $ 789.95 , about the same price as a premium helmet , and it ’ s available in sizes XS-2XL . At press time , the Tech-Air 5 was discounted on the Alpinestars website and other retail sites because it will soon be replaced by the Tech- Air 5 Plasma , which includes a Nucleon Plasma back protector , the addition of an Off- Road mode , and gas canisters that can be replaced by the user .

— GREG DREVENSTEDT

FOR MORE INFORMATION : SEE YOUR DEALER OR VISIT ALPINESTARS . COM

RIDERMAGAZINE . COM / APRIL 2025 / 61