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Alpinestars Tech-Air Race Rider Airbag Available in the US This Summer

Alpinestars announces that their Tech-Air Race airbag system will cross the pond and become available in the USA starting this summer. No prices or exact date have been revealed at the time of writing, but we can expect to see it priced more competitively, trying to get the upper hand against their rival Dainese.
Alpinestars Tech-Air arrives in the US this summer 1 photo
Photo: YouTube capture
The biggest difference between the Alpinestars and the Dainese airbag systems is that the latter is much more integrated into the motorcycle garments, whereas the former is an add-on that can be worn with any compatible jackets.

The Tech-Air airbag is, in fact, a vest that connects with the compatible Alpinestars jackets and is thus more versatile than the competition's item. The airbag vest comes with a back protector that also houses the control unit, encased in a replaceable protective plastic shell for enhanced shock protection in case of a crash.

All Alpinestars' Tech-Air-compatible garments are equipped with an LED indicator on the sleeve, letting riders know the status of the airbag system.

Firmware upgrades change the functionality from Race to Street

Even though the Tech-Air Race is an airbag system developed for the track and, therefore, works best in closed course conditions, Alpinestars has an ace up its sleeve for the rest of the riders as well.

The firmware that runs the control unit can be changed to a different version that transforms the Tech-Air Race into a Tech-Air Street. And making things even more interesting, the Street specifications are not only providing non-race usability but deliver the same degree of protection both on and off the road.

Bike and scenario-independent, the Alpinestars Tech-Air airbag system requires no installation, is waterproof, and provides the same performance even when used with scooters. The accident is detected in 30-60 milliseconds and, once fired, the air bladders will fully inflate in around 2 milliseconds.

In most cases, this is more than enough time to offer enhanced kidney, chest and shoulder protection until the actual impact takes place. We'll be back with prices and more details.

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