I'd seen a guy wearing one of these a few months ago that picked my interest in this safety gear.
http://www.safermoto.com/products/details.asp?PDID=13&catID=11After breaking my collarbone on a bicycle this summer, I thought I would check into it more. There's quite a bit of safety research on these and they are used by police in Japan and other countries.
http://www.eggparka.com/english/main.htmlI was at the Long Beach show on Saturday and what do you know, Safer Moto had a booth. I got to see the Hit Air vest up close and really liked what I saw. They are light, unobtrusive and don't look like they could do any damage but certainly look to offer quite a bit of protection. I got fitted there and bought one for shipping on the spot.
They inflated one on the spot and it inflates super quick, about 1/4 of a second. The tether is rated at 60 lbs. so it won't go off getting off the bike. it just looks like great all around protection. Not only the neck but also the spine and tailbone. it's a little expensive but after three months of recovery for my broken collarbone, if it saves anything, it will be worth it.
There was a thread over at ADV Rider that was ppretty positive. Anybody wear one of these? Go down? The owner of SaferMoto races and has been down on them and did quite well.
