Air Bag Jackets??? - What do we reckon?

[JonnyB]

When I heard I was sceptical, but when I saw the Newsbeat programme I thought Mmm, could be a good Idea.

I'm not convinced about the wairbag site, it's a bit heavy on the "You will have an accident" rather than promoteing the product. (Be carefull if you go there, I tried it in IE7 and FF3 and it crashed the browser).
While I'm Whinging
"Not Impressed by the Image of a motorcyclist doing a full somersalt, never seen that happen as the rider, normally slide up the tank and end up tangled in the handlebars, Pillion maybe?"

Anyway

[matthewmosse]

I ride all winter and over the years have dropped a bike a few times on ice, never more than slight bruising, always slow speed, cos I've more sence than to go quick when it's icy and the roads untreated. What makes me sceptical is how often is this thing going to go off, what triggers it? a lanyard or sutchlike attached to the bike? how often am I going to in the couse of a years commuting would I forget to de-activate the thing and get michilin manned and what does it cost to re activate once deployed.
My other concern is the vidieo clip on tv the other day of a stuntman demonstrating it, he rolls around instead of sliding, that's not I think a good thing.
Finally

[SteveD CB500K0]

For those of us who were around in the 70's, this has shades of the original helmet law debate.

On the face of it, it looks like a good idea and I've no doubt that (if it was law) we'd get used to it.

I agree with Matthew though that the deployment mechanism needs a bit of work.

[JonnyB]

Activation Method - Lanyard connected to the bike, activation force required -30lbs, Got to admit I've been in a T-Bone accident once and I never made it over the handle bars, my pillion did and in that instance this sort of thing would have protected her. It was < 20mph I ended up with bruised bollocks and the wife landed on her arse.

I'm not going to tempt fate but this does seem to be of more use to the hot heads rather that the sensible ones.

When my wife saw the TV article the first thing she said was that it would never work on a woman with big tits (her words not mine)

[matthewmosse]

Lanyard to bike, thought as mutch........... I keep my 500/4 keys on a retractable ketring on my belt. I almost always forget to pull the keys out! that would be at best a major pain, not to mention the extra layer in summer

[JonnyB]

The website does say that the Gas bottles are replaceable for a "Nominal Charge", if you do accidently set yourself off. No mention to what "Nominal" is, also why can you just buy the infalable to wear under your jacket, that would reduce the price by nearly a third.

[Bryanj]

Did crack some ribs on a CX 500 when the front wheel slid out at stopping speed and dumped me on the pavement--not sure this would have helped

Best was GP when i rang him and asked "What do you do for cracked ribs"

Answer "I stand three paces back and laugh!"

[JonnyB]

Best was GP when i rang him and asked "What do you do for cracked ribs"

Answer "I stand three paces back and laugh!"

LOL