Your comments and questions on any of
our products are always
welcomed. Contact Us here.
Watch this Flash animation to see how the Hit-Air system works:
(Note that this animations is old and refers to the half second inflation time of our previous generation of jackets and vests. Current products now use a redesigned keybox and inflate the airbag in less than half the time.
Rollover with your mouse to see a slow-motion animation
of the new high speed keybox or watch the whole movie here:
Are these new?
No, HIt-Air have been producing and perfecting the airbag jacket/vest system for more than 12 years!
Do I need to buy anything extra? What is included with the jacket/vest?
Every jacket or vest from SaferMoto comes with everything you need: Co2 cartridge installed, tether and tool kit (allen wrench and set screw) for resetting the keybox when you need to replace the cartridge. All you need to do once you receive your new jacket or vest is attach the tether to your motorcycle (or saddle), clip it to your jacket or vest and ride. We do recommend buying a spare Co2 cartridge and keeping it with the motorcycle.
What kind of testing has been done to verify the effectiveness of the HIt-Air system?
Please refer to the testing page for test data: http://safermoto.com/testing
There is also the anecdotal evidence from Alan Cunningham's crash at Infineon Raceway discussed on our news page and here.
Can the vests be worn under a jacket or leathers?
No, the vest needs to be on the outside so that the airbag is not impeded in the event of a crash. Refer to our Videos page to get a better understanding of what happens when the vest deploys.
What material are the jackets and vests made with?
The external is Air Guard nylon which is comparable to the nylon
that used to be called Cordura. Denier weight of the material of
each jacket is listed on the product specification page of each
product. The interior lining is polyester.
Look for the construction icons on each product's page for specific information such as Denier rating.
Can the armor be upgraded?
Yes, we offer optional additional armor and upgraded back protection.
Please refer to this page.
If a rider forgets to disconnect the coiled cable and dismounts, will the airbag be activated?
A tensile force of about 30kg (60 pounds) is needed to release the key ball to activate the airbag. Normally, the dismounting rider feels a strong tug to
know that he/she has to disconnect the coiled cable before the airbag is
activated. It is similar to wearing a seatbelt, it becomes something you do automatically when you get off your bike. Watch this 3 second animation to see what happens when you forget to disconnect (opens a new window).
Once an airbag is activated and inflates, can it be
reused?
Yes, it can be reused over and over again if it has not been damaged. Simply replace the CO2
cartridge using the supplied setting bolt and allen wrench. If there is damage to the airbag, please contact us. Please watch this movie for more
information.
Can I wash my jacket as it is?
A jacket with an airbag and a gas cartridge fitted can be gently cleaned
with mild soap and water but should not be immersed in water or washed in a
conventional washing machine. If necessary, the airbag system, linings and
protectors can be removed (see this video) and the outer jacket or vest can be washed in
accordance with the washing instructions.
Do not dry-clean or expose to high temperatures.
Consult owner's manual for information on how to remove the airbag
system.
What is the difference between the different vests?
With the exception of the MLV, they are all functionally identical and use the same airbag system. The only differences are in the styling and the material used on the side panels below the arm. The YS and JV vests use an expandable cloth section whereas the MC-2 and MV-3 vests use mesh material in that area.
Can I wear a light backpack or something similar over a
Hit-Air?
Yes, but be careful that it does not to obstruct the free inflation of
the airbag. If possible we recommend not wearing them to avoid any possible
interference with the airbag system.
If an inflated airbag is damaged by friction with the road
surface in an accident, will it still be effective?
The airbag fully inflates in less than 250 milliseconds and is made of heavy duty polyurethane encased in a strong covering. It will not "pop" when it hits the ground. If it is punctured, it has generally already done its job of absorbing the impact. In the event that the airbag
is damaged during an accident, it must be returned to the manufacturer for
inspection and repair. Even before the airbag inflates in full, it is quite
effective for shock buffering. After the airbag inflates, the CO2 is
gradually released.
Can both rider and passenger (pillion) wear the vests or jackets?
Certainly! We highly recommend it. The passenger's tether should be attached to the rear grab rail or under the seat.
What is the weight of each model?
Large size fully equipped with a gas cartridge, linings and
padding:
Spring/summer jacket & half-length coat: About 2.0 - 2.4k
Vest: About 1.4 - 1.5kg Jacket with a small/light gas cartridge: About 1.4 -
1.8kg
Autumn/winter jacket & half-length coat type (with a removable lining)
About 2.5 - 2.9kg
Can I fly with the Hit-Air jackets and vests?
I have never had a customer have any problems with our products in their checked baggage. I would not put it in carry-on luggage because it will certainly cause someone some concern and you will waste a lot of time explaining it. Please refer to this TSA bulletin (near the bottom of the page) about traveling with "small compressed gas cartridges" in life vests. In the unlikely event that you do have an issue, I would point to this ruling and point out that, for all intents and purposes, this IS a "life vest" and should be governed by those regulations.
What is the history of Mugen Denko's development of the Hit-Air
System?
1995 - Began research and development work of an airbag
system for motorcyclists.
1998 - After a process of trial and error, completed and
announced the world's first airbag jacket for motorcyclists.
1999 - Launched our airbag jacket in Europe where the
safety standard is quite high. Supplied world famous SPIDI of Italy, IXS of
Switzerland and LOUIS of Germany with our airbag system and gained a
reputation of high reliability. Awarded Gold and Silver Medals at the World
Exhibition of Inventions in Belgium. A Gold Medal in the Safety Protection
Life Saving Division and a Silver Medal overall.
2000 - Awarded Gold Trophy at the Salon du Cheval in
Paris.
2001 - Launched the Hit-Air jacket.
2003 - Supplied the Police Headquarters in Japan with the
airbag vests for the motorcycle police. Obtained the CE Marking approval by
the EU for our airbag vest of MC Model. Launched the airbag vest for horse
riding.
2004 - Supplied the Spanish Police with the airbag
vests.
2005 - Awarded the highest prize at the JPMS Motorcycle
Show in France. Launched the buckle type one-touch connector of increased
strength and reliability, jointly developed by YKK and Mugen Denko.
2006 - Signed OEM deals with top-brand apparel
manufacturers for the supply of airbag jackets and vests. Supplied the
Imperial Guard Headquarters with airbag vests for horse riding. Launched
smaller and lighter key box (Y-type), jointly developed by YKK and Mugen
Denko.
2007 - Authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry to make a plan to develop the new business field on the basis of
multilateral collaboration.
