There appear to be two types of motorcyclists: those who have crashed and those who will crash. Let’s just hope there isn’t much to it when it happens, but we know the risk is a lot higher on two wheels. Today, there are some good and high-quality solutions for that.
The Helite Turtle 2 Air Vest with drawstring is one of those solutions and now, Helite has started producing an electronic version: the E-Turtle.
In an electronically controlled airbag jacket, a CDU-sensor (Crash Detection Unit) takes over the task of an analogue drawstring and here you get the option to work via a fork sensor (SDU). The latter monitors the movement of the motorbike. The electronic sensors will detect changes in position, speed, etc and will detect when an intervention is required. The fork sensor will start measuring from standstill which means that it will also protect you when you’re hit at a stoplight. The E-Turtle functions autonomously as airbag jacket but (s)he who attaches the optional fork sensor to their motorbike will obviously have a more complete protection.
The sensor in the E-Turtle itself – the airbag jacket – is charged via a USB-cable. You can’t attach a USB-cable to a fork sensor, so the SDU has an autonomy of 5 years, after which you need to replace it. You can check its status magnetically.
How does it work?
You simply wear the Helite E-Turtle over your motorcycle jacket. No activation cable here, so simply switch the charged airbag jacket (USB-cable included) On/Off by pushing the button three times. Hear (the beep) and see (green LED-light) the activation and head off.
If you use the optional fork sensor as well, you need to electronically ‘hitch’ the airbag jacket to the fork sensor the first time. This is magnetic, by activating both in a certain sequence and bringing them close to one another.
Is the airbag jacket reusable?
Yes, it is. Simply replace the e-cartridge and reactivate the airbag system. The e-cartridges are sold separately so it’s best to always have a spare one. The manual shows the steps – as of point 4 – you need to take to reuse the airbag jacket after an intervention.
For the passenger too?
It doesn’t matter for the airbag jacket whether it is protecting a rider or a passenger. Autonomous E-Turtle airbag jackets function independent of each other and you can link several E-Turtle airbag jackets to one and the same fork sensor.
