This Stella Tech-Air® 3 Airbag system can be worn over as well as underneath regular motorcycle clothing. Always safe and always stylish, in other words. Practically speaking, very interesting and the best option for commuters, urbanites and even for (prudent) off-road adventure fans.
Alpinestars has made considerable efforts to develop an extra, specific ‘Stella’ Tech-Air® 3. The female anatomy looks different in places where in this case the airbag systems are active so we applaud the fact that the Tech-Air® 3 was given a slightly adjusted, anatomically correct and just as functional female version.
The Stella Tech-Air® 3 contains six sensors and three more gyroscopes that determine when to intervene. Just about every moving and stationary situation is ‘measured’. The Stella Tech-Air® 3 Airbag system can rely on the data of millions of motorcycle kilometres and about 2,000 crashes that feed the smart AI technology. The Stella Tech-Air® 3 Airbag assesses when an intervention is required. It recognises low-siders, high-siders and dangerous situations. As soon as the system detects a crash, the airbag is inflated in 50 milliseconds. In the case of a direct collision of the motorcycle with another vehicle or obstacle, the Stella Tech-Air® 3 system will act before the ‘first collision’, which means that the system will inflate before the vehicle or object has actually been hit. This ‘first impact protocol’ and the corresponding test occurs between 25 and 63 kph and mainly illustrates how this system is miles ahead of the ‘old’ airbag systems and other solutions that were once described as revolutionary. They probably were at the time but this is clearly next level.
The Stella Tech-Air® 3 Airbag System is automatically activated with the magnetic zip closure. It’s enough to simply put on and zip up. The design allows easy storage in a top case or even underneath the saddle of your motorcycle. The Stella Tech-Air® 3 has a diagonal zip to protect the chest/frontside of the body and to hide the airbag itself. The reason for the magnetic zip, as described above, is very clear. An LED display on the chest displays the operational status of the airbag. Additionally, the display vibrates shortly when the system is activated and when the battery is starting to run low.
With a water-resistant ‘frame’ and waterproof electronics, the slim, standalone airbag system can be worn either over or underneath a motorcycle jacket. Go for an Alpinestars Tech-Air® ready motorcycle jacket or take about 4 extra centimetres around the chest area into account for when the airbag is inflated.
You’ll go as you please and the smart Stella Tech-Air® Airbag System knows the difference between ‘crashing’ and ‘stumbling’. Nevertheless, it won’t hurt to – after getting off – make it a habit to unzip and deactivate the airbag.
Updates, adjustments to the algorithms and any new (future) configurations are uploaded by simply connecting the system to your laptop with the USB connection. This is also how you charge it. The Stella Tech-Air® system is smart as long as it’s charged. A Tech-Air® app will keep you updated, monitor everything, switch between settings and will notify you in case of new updates. You can get up to 40 hours on a charged battery and charging takes about 4 hours.
Important to know!
The Tech-Air® Airbag System has a number of additional features but also things to consider.
The Tech-Air® Airbag System can detect a collision from behind and will spring into action at that moment. In order to function properly, it is not recommended to wear a backpack that’s over 6 kilograms. It doesn’t really make any sense; putting on an airbag and then hindering it to inflate properly.
Maintenance and re-use
The Stella Tech-Air® 3 Airbag System requires intermediate maintenance and should ideally be brought back to Alpinestars for a periodic maintenance every two years (€ 54.95).
After every crash and therefore, every inflation, an authorised Alpinestars Tech-Air® Service Centre needs to perform a test to inspect whether the airbag has been damaged during the intervention. If it passes that inflation test and the airbag is intact, the only thing that needs replacing is the gas container (€ 104.95).
If damage is detected, then the system needs to undergo a full service; the airbag and the blow-up mechanism will probably need replacing (€ 209.95).
You can keep the system clean with a microfibre cloth and lukewarm water.
It is recommended to register the chassis number. You can do this on the app or the Tech-Air®-portal and is important for messages with regard to software updates.
Warning!
The Tech-Air® system is an active protection and safety system suitable for adults aged 18 and over. It is necessary to read and understand the user manual thoroughly before purchasing or using the system!
