One of the first decisions you will make when choosing a Helite airbag is the triggering system: mechanical or electronic. Both protect the same vital areas and use the same airbag design, so this is not a question of one being safer than the other. It is a question of how the vest fits around your riding. For the full technical detail on each, see our dedicated guides to the mechanical system and the electronic system. This one is about helping you choose.
The short version
The mechanical system uses a lanyard that connects you to the bike, so the airbag deploys when you are thrown clear in a fall. The electronic system uses onboard sensors that read your movement and deploy the airbag automatically, with no physical connection to the bike. Both are reusable, and both work without any subscription.
Why riders choose the mechanical system
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No battery and nothing to charge. The vest is ready whenever you clip in.
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No electronics to switch on or check. Connect the lanyard and go.
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A proven, dependable design with no operational fuss.
The one habit it asks of you is the lanyard itself: clip in when you get on, unclip when you get off. Most riders find it becomes second nature within a few rides.
What about setting it off by accident?
This is the most common concern riders raise about a tethered system. Helite states it takes between 20 and 30kg of force to activate the mechanical trigger, depending on the size of the vest, which is a firm, deliberate pull rather than something ordinary movement on the bike would generate. If you do forget to unclip before getting off, you will feel that tension before anything triggers, giving you a moment to unclip. We cover this in more depth, for both systems, in our guide on accidental inflation.
Why riders choose the electronic system
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No lanyard. You are free to move on and off the bike without clipping in.
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The system reads a broad range of fall and impact situations and deploys automatically.
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It works without any subscription.
The vest itself runs for around 25 hours of active use and recharges over USB in around 3 hours, so topping it up roughly weekly is the one habit it asks of you. An optional fork sensor extends detection down to 0km/h and roughly halves detection time for impacts against another vehicle.
Both systems share the same foundations
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The same airbag design, covering the vital areas: neck, back, chest, abdomen, hips.
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Reusable after deployment, by replacing the spent cartridge with a new one of the same capacity.
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No subscription, on either system.
Protective volume depends on the cartridge and vest size rather than the trigger type, and ranges from 17 to 28 litres across Helite's motorcycle range.
So which one should you choose?
Choose the mechanical system if you want the simplest setup, nothing to charge, and a proven design. It suits riders who are happy to clip in each time and want a vest that is always ready. Choose the electronic system if you would rather not be tethered to the bike, want automatic deployment across a wide range of situations, and do not mind charging the vest roughly weekly. Neither is a compromise. They are two routes to the same underlying protection, built for different preferences.
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 one system safer than the other?
Not by design. Both use the same airbag, covering the same vital areas. The difference is in how each is triggered and what that asks of you day to day.
Which system is easier to live with?
The mechanical system asks you to clip in and out each ride. The electronic system asks you to charge it roughly weekly. Neither is more demanding, just different.
Can I switch between systems later?
Since the two use different vests, switching means choosing a different model rather than converting an existing one. Get in touch if you would like help comparing specific models.
Do both systems cost the same?
The mechanical system generally sits at a lower price point, reflecting its simpler construction. Check with us for current pricing on specific models.
Does either system need a subscription?
No. Both are one-off purchases with no ongoing subscription fees.