Helite's airbag technology is built into several different products: vests worn over your existing jacket, a backpack format, full jackets with the airbag built in, and race suits. Whichever form it takes, the underlying system is the same. Underneath the fabric sits a folded airbag, a trigger system, and a small gas cartridge. Here is what happens between a normal ride and a fully inflated airbag.
The same technology, worn differently
A vest worn over your riding jacket and a jacket with the airbag built in work identically. The protective volume, inflation speed and airbag shape are the same in both cases. The only real difference is how you wear it, so the choice comes down to your existing gear and personal preference rather than one option being more protective than the other.
Two ways to trigger the same airbag
Helite airbags use one of two trigger systems: mechanical or electronic.
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Mechanical systems connect to the motorcycle with a lanyard, similar to a car seatbelt. If a rider is separated from the bike in a fall, the lanyard pulls a release pin, which punctures a CO2 cartridge and inflates the airbag.
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Electronic systems are wireless. Sensors inside the vest track the rider's movement, and an optional sensor on the motorcycle's fork can detect impacts on the bike itself. When the system recognises a fall or crash, it triggers an e-cartridge to inflate the airbag automatically.
We cover each system in full in separate guides, and have a straight comparison if you are trying to decide between them.
How fast does it inflate
Depending on the model, inflation takes between roughly 60 and 100 milliseconds. That is generally faster than the time it takes a rider to reach the ground in a fall.
What the airbag protects
Once inflated, the airbag covers the vital areas of the torso: the spine, neck, chest, kidneys and hips. It is shaped to reduce hyperextension of the back and to help stabilise the head and neck, while adding a layer of rigidity around the chest and abdomen.
The role of Turtle Technology
Many Helite vests pair the airbag with a rigid back protector positioned like a shell over the top of it, so the back is covered even before the airbag inflates. This is called Turtle Technology, and we explain it in full in a separate guide.
After it inflates
The airbag stays inflated for several minutes to continue supporting the rider, then deflates gradually on its own. If the fabric is undamaged, the system can be reset by fitting a new cartridge.
No technical knowledge required
Whichever system and product format you choose, Helite has designed both trigger systems to be ready to use straight out of the box. The mechanical version needs the lanyard clipped in before riding, and the electronic version simply needs to be switched on.
If you have questions about which Helite model suits your riding, get in touch with our team at contact@helite.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
Is a jacket with a built in airbag as protective as a vest worn over my jacket?
Yes. The protective volume, inflation speed and airbag shape are the same in both cases. The only difference is how the airbag is worn, so it comes down to your existing gear and personal preference.
Is one system better than the other?
Not objectively. Which suits you best depends on how and where you ride. We cover the tradeoffs in our mechanical versus electronic comparison.
Does the airbag work if I am wearing a backpack?
Yes, as long as the straps are adjusted loosely enough that they do not restrict the airbag from inflating. We cover this and other day to day riding questions in a dedicated guide.
Can I use the airbag on the track as well as the road?
Yes, provided the rider stays seated on the bike. A dedicated track focused model is also available. See our riding guide for more detail.
What happens to the airbag after it inflates?
It stays inflated for several minutes to keep supporting you, then deflates gradually. Provided the fabric is not damaged, you can reset it with a new cartridge.