REVIEW & REAL LIFE CRASH Test // Helite Turtle 2 Airbag Vest // KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

UPDATE June 2020: It looks my wish may come true faster than I thought. Helite announced a wireless Airbag System at the EICMA 2019 that seems to offer the protection of the Turtle 2.0 with an electronic release (approx 800 Euros) - I bought the vest as soon as it came out - see my initial review of Helite e-turtle airbag vest here:
   • FIRST ELECTRONIC AIRBAG VEST from HELITE /...  

I am going to take you through the reasons to buy an airbag vest for your motorcycle and why I decided for this particular model by Helite. I recorded the video the day of my crash at the Stelvio pass later in the afternoon - the experience crashing with the vest was still fresh

check out this link for the full story on the crash:
   • My CRASH ! // KTM 1290 Super Adventure S /...  

There are a few reasons I decided for the Helite Turtle 2.0:

FIRST I had to make sure it flows enough air when riding in hot weather - sounds silly as the most important point but only the vest you will always wear will protect you properly. I had a back armor vest (top of the line test winner by Ortema) to wear under my riding jacket but I was way too hot for anything above 30°C so I did not use it for the next trip anymore. The Turtle 2.0 sits loosly over my riding jacket and closes with 3 clips in the front which allows airflow straight into the vents of my Klim jacket - other vest use a zipper in the front that will not allow the same kind of airflow.

The SECOND reason is the high air volume of the Turtle 2.0 - it is probably the best vest with regards to coverage on the market. It offers chest, back, some hip protection and the "neck brace" (while inflated) neck protection - no electronic vest provide this level of protection.

The THIRD reason is the built-in extra large level 2 back armor - so even if the vest does not deploy you still get a very good and large back armor in this vest - electronic vests usually replace the back armor - so if they do not release (nothing is 100% fail safe) you have nothing to protect you.

The FORTH reason is that you can easily reload the vest on the spot - took me less than 10 min - and you do not have to send it to the manufacturer / dealer as with all electronic vests.

BUT with anything there is a trade off - you have to always remember to hook the tether into the vest - if you forget the vest will not deploy. Also the tether restricts movements on your bike - I ride standing up a lot - which means I need to keep the tether cord long - but you want the cord as short as possible for quicker release. I actually did a DIY solution that allows me to adjust the length while riding - keepig the tether cord short while sitting down. That is something to get used to - however, electronic vests only work if you remembered to charge the battery of the vest. Bottom line is the electronic vest are much more convinient and allow free movement- a major advantage.

Electronic vests will deploy much faster than mechanically releasing vests. Depending on the kind of accident that can make a big difference - this is also a major advantage of the electronic vests.

NO VEST will give you 100% protection but they are the BEST THING out there to date when it comes to armor and impact protection - at starting prices of a good helmet (approx. 400 Euro) I do not understand why only so few riders wear these.

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   / @motovibes  
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