Alpinestars recently launched its new Tech-Air Off-Road, which it claims is the world’s first dedicated off-road airbag system, simultaneously in California and Italy.
This FIM-homologated airbag is specifically designed to handle the rigours of fast off-road riding and rallies and provides upper body protection on the trails.
Developed and tested since 2017, with input from hundreds of professional rally racing and Dakar riders, racing in the most gruelling conditions on all types of terrain, the Tech-Air Off-Road system was used by 107 riders in this year’s Dakar Rally, including the full podium of Ricky Brabec, Ross Branch, and Adrien Van Beveren, as well as the rest of the top eight riders.
With more than 10,000 hours and millions of kilometres of logged riding data, Tech-Air Off-Road’s crash detection algorithms have been fine-tuned, allowing amateur and hobby riders to use the same protection as top professionals. The Tech-Air Off-Road has three riding modes: Enduro, Rally and Street, allowing users to easily and quickly select the most suitable algorithm based on their chosen type of terrain or style of riding. A two-second vibrating haptic alert notifies the rider when the system is activated or deactivated. Riding modes are easy to navigate while on the move via an LED display located on the front of the system or via the Tech-Air app.
Airbag Coverage and Protection
When deployed, the Tech-Air protects the rider by delivering CE Level 1 – Active Airbag full chest and back protection, plus coverage to the shoulders, neck, and collarbones, in the event of a crash. The system is integrated with Alpinestars’ Off-Road Protection jacket equipped with a CE level 2 full chest protector, CE level 1 back armour and removable armour at the shoulders and elbows.
The system comes installed with two gas inflators, providing riders with two airbag deployments before they need to replace the gas inflator canisters. In addition, if the airbag bladder has not been damaged during a deployment, the bladder is certified for up to four individual deployments before requiring service.
The Tech-Air is a pretty complex piece of kit as it stands. Add to that the fact that it’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing riders to update their system via the app, and rides can also be recorded on Google Maps. You’ll also need customers with suitably deep pockets, they won’t get much change out of a grand!
www.alpinestars.com