Motorcycle Airbags, Ride Safer Than Ever Before

How do they work exactly? What’s the difference between mechanical and electronic systems? Which brands truly make a difference today? And why should you consider buying one now?

We’ll take you from MotoGP straight to your everyday ride.

Origin in the MotoGP

Like many innovations in motorcycle gear, the airbag was born in racing. In the early 2000s, brands like Helite experimented with mechanical vests activated by a tether.

Not long after, electronic systems arrived—without any cable connected to the bike. In 2007, the first electronic airbags appeared in the MotoGP World Championship. Since 2018, they’ve been mandatory during all MotoGP races and practice sessions.

A defining moment? Marc Márquez’s heavy crash at Mugello in 2013 at nearly 337.9 km/h. His Alpinestars Tech-Air race suit detected the crash within 50 milliseconds, and the airbag was fully inflated 30 milliseconds before the first contact with the track. The ultimate proof that an airbag can make the difference. Result: limited injuries, and he was able to ride again.

What’s tested in MotoGP under extreme conditions now protects riders on public roads.

How does a motorcycle airbag work?

Within the motorcycle airbag range, we distinguish two different systems. They differ in how the airbag is activated: mechanical and electronic airbag systems.

Mechanical motorcycle airbag

A mechanical airbag works without a battery or software.

A tether is attached to the motorcycle using a clip system. In a crash, the tether tightens, pulls out an activation pin and triggers a CO₂ cartridge that inflates the airbag.

Benefits:

✅ No battery required
✅ Simple system
✅ Reusable (replace the cartridge)
✅ Large air volume around the neck and torso

Electronic motorcycle airbag

Electronic airbags use accelerometers and gyroscopes. They continuously analyse your movements, rotation and impact forces. The system decides within milliseconds whether inflation is needed. Result: the airbag is fully inflated before you hit the ground.

Benefits:

✅ No cable connected to the bike
✅ Detects complex crashes
✅ Multiple riding modes possible (street / race)
✅ Advanced algorithms based on crash data

This is technology directly derived from MotoGP

Why buy a motorcycle airbag today?

Because protection evolves. And so do you.

1️⃣ Active protection instead of passive protection

A back protector absorbs impact. An airbag reacts before or during impact and spreads the energy over a larger surface.

That difference is fundamental.

2️⃣ Protection of crucial areas

An airbag protects:

• Neck
• Collarbone
• Chest
• Ribs
• Entire spine
• Shoulders

These are exactly the areas where serious injuries most often occur in a crash.

3️⃣ Not just for fast riders

You don’t need to be a track rider to benefit.

Many accidents happen:

• At lower speeds
• Because of other road users
• In unexpected situations
• Even at 50 km/h, an airbag can make a huge difference.

4️⃣ The technology has matured

Where airbags used to be heavy and bulky, they are now:

✅ Lighter
✅ Better ventilated
✅ More comfortable
✅ Smarter tuned

The latest generation, such as the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma, combines protection with comfort you barely notice while riding.

Alpinestars – MotoGP DNA under your jacket

Their Tech-Air system has been refined for years in racing and works fully electronically. No cable to the bike, no external trigger. Everything is integrated into the vest or suit.

Tech-Air 5 Plasma – a versatile benchmark

The Tech-Air 5 Plasma is currently one of the most versatile systems in the road segment. It builds on the classic Tech-Air 5, but focuses even more on comfort and ventilation.

What makes the Plasma version stand out?

• 6 integrated sensors (3 gyroscopes + 3 accelerometers)
• Dual riding modes (Street & Race)
• Integrated Nucleon Plasma back protector
• Better ventilation
• Lower weight and greater flexibility

That Nucleon Plasma back protector is a key difference: light, flexible and highly ventilated. It makes long summer rides more comfortable, without compromising protection.

This model is currently one of the most versatile systems for road use.

Tech-Air 10

The Tech-Air 10 is more focused on sporty and track riding, offering extended coverage around the hips and upper legs.

• Extended protective coverage
• Advanced algorithms based on MotoGP data
• Designed for use in compatible race suits

This system is built for riders who want to get the most out of sporty riding with maximum protection.

What makes Alpinestars unique?

Regardless of the model, all Tech-Air systems share the same philosophy:

• Continuous monitoring of your movements
• Analysis of rotation, impact and acceleration
• Inflation within milliseconds
• Algorithms refined through thousands of analysed crashes

This is where you feel the difference between classic protection and smart protection.

Helite – mechanical reliability, now also electronic

Helite is one of the pioneers in motorcycle airbags and built its reputation on one clear philosophy: maximum protection through simplicity and reliability.

For years, Helite was synonymous with the mechanical tether airbag system. That system is still very popular today—especially for riders who don’t want batteries, software or settings. Just clip in and ride.

Helite Turtle 2

The Turtle 2 is the best-known model in the Helite range and is worn over your motorcycle jacket. The mechanical system works via a tether attached to the bike. In a crash, the tether tightens and activates the CO₂ cartridge.

What makes this model so strong?

✅ Mechanical system with no battery
✅ Large air volume around torso and neck
✅ Strong neck stabilisation on impact
✅ Reusable (replacing the cartridge is enough)

That large air chamber is typical Helite: more volume means more energy absorption. For many riders, it adds a real feeling of extra security.

Helite E-Turtle V2 – electronic evolution

Helite didn’t stand still. With the E-Turtle V2, they introduced a fully electronic version of their trusted concept.

Here, the tether is replaced by a CDU (Crash Detection Unit) that continuously analyses movement, acceleration and rotation. The system decides autonomously when inflation is required.

Optionally, an additional front fork sensor can be connected, allowing frontal impacts to be detected even faster.

Mechanical or electronic with Helite?

The choice mainly depends on what you prefer:

👉 Want maximum simplicity and complete independence from batteries? → Turtle 2
👉 Want no tether on the bike and faster electronic detection in complex crashes? → E-Turtle V2

In both cases, you get what Helite is known for: generous protective coverage and a robust system designed to make the difference in a crash.

Held – electronic airbag platform with in&motion technology

Alongside Helite and Alpinestars, there is also Held.

Held develops its airbags in collaboration with In&motion, a technology company specialised in electronic airbag algorithms. The system is continuously optimised through software updates based on collected crash data.

How does the system work?

The vest contains a removable In&box module that:

• Continuously analyses your movements

• Supports different riding modes (Street / Track depending on activation)

• Is regularly improved via software updates

The system works fully electronically, without any cable connected to the motorcycle.

An important difference is that with in&motion you can choose between a purchase option or a subscription model for the airbag module. This makes entry more accessible for some riders.

Held positions itself as a flexible, technologically strong alternative within the electronic airbag segment.

Maintenance and reactivation

Helite (mechanical)

• Replace the CO₂ cartridge

• Put the activation pin back in place

• Reusable yourself

• Annual check recommended

Helite E-Turtle

• Electronic reset

• Possible inspection via the manufacturer

Alpinestars Tech-Air

When an Alpinestars airbag deploys:

• Crash data is stored
• The vest is sent to Alpinestars via us
• The module is checked
• Inflators or internal components are replaced
• The system is recalibrated

This is a paid service. The exact cost depends on:

• Number of deployments
• Possible internal damage
• Replacement of inflators

You can’t reset the system yourself. This is always done professionally by the manufacturer. Average turnaround time is about 10 working days.

Held (in&motion)

When a Held eVest deploys:

• The In&box module records the crash data

• The system automatically locks after activation

• The vest must be professionally inspected

• The inflator is replaced

• The module is reactivated

Depending on the type of deployment and any possible damage, this can be handled via an authorised service point or directly through the manufacturer.

What you need to know

• The system cannot be reset by the user

• Reactivation is a paid service

• The inflator must be replaced after every deployment

• Software updates are performed via the In&motion app

• The In&box module needs to be charged regularly

An important difference compared to some other systems is that the technology is modular. The In&box can be removed from the vest for charging, updates or servicing.

Purchase or subscription

With in&motion, you can choose between:

• Purchasing the module outright

• Or opting for a subscription model

In both cases, maintenance after deployment remains necessary, but the chosen model may influence the practical handling of service.

Over or under your jacket?

⬆️ Mechanical Helite → over the jacket
⬇️ Electronic systems → usually under the jacket

With under-jacket systems, your jacket needs enough expansion room. Many jackets are “Tech-Air compatible”.

The real question

The question isn’t whether you can ride without an airbag. You absolutely can.

The question is: if something goes wrong, do you want to know you’ve done everything to protect yourself as much as possible?

A good jacket with level 1 or level 2 protectors is already a strong base. An airbag adds an active layer of protection that classic armour simply can’t match.

We hope you never need it.

But if that moment comes, it can be the difference between getting up… or months of rehab.

And that’s why it’s not a gadget.

It’s a conscious choice. 🏁

Related links:

• Motorcycle airbags
• Alpinestars Tech-Air
• Helite airbags