Helite already had a proper electronic motorcycle airbag (the E-Turtle) and this H-MOOV is actually an advancement of this concept. This is a motorcycle airbag and motorcycle backpack in one. Or in two. As you please.
In any way: the H-MOOV by Helite is a bonus for anyone who travels a lot and likes to do so safely. The H-MOOV by Helite is also quite the assignment for writers, seen as there are two main items to describe. We could have a long discussion about the backpack, and an even longer one on the airbag.
Motorcycle backpack
Let’s start with the motorcycle backpack: the largest compartment can contain 18 litres which can be extended to 23 litres thanks to a (hidden) zip. This central compartment can contain a laptop (17 inch without a doubt, 19 inch depending on the type) specifically in a separate partition, with a few individual sections. On the outside, there’s a smaller, zippable compartment at the top (sun glasses!) and a little larger one underneath. This screams organisation with pens, keys, wallet and phone neatly housed in their own little spot.
At the top, there’s the rain cover, at the bottom, the motorcycle helmet holder. In the back – between the airbag construction and the motorcycle backpack – there’s space to integrate a camelbag. That space is crucial for the rest of this story because this is where the separation runs between the motorcycle backpack and the motorcycle airbag.
You can unzip the motorcycle backpack all the way round and cover the airbag jacket (with the camelbag space) all the way with a neutral and clean cover, so the only thing you’re travelling with is the airbag construction.
Alright, decent motorcycle backpack. Nothing to barter. Robust, sturdy, compact, lots of space. Let’s put that aside for a minute and focus on the airbag part.
The motorcycle airbag with back protector
The back of the motorcycle backpack and the shoulder straps are one unit. So actually, an airbag. Inflated, 18 litres of air protects your shoulders, neck, chest and back in two vertical, circular ties. A sturdy back protector takes care of extra impact protection. This is where the previous E-Turtle knowledge and knowhow come into play. The volume from the airbag and its positioning are not coincidental, yet the result of a balancing act between the opportunity to quickly inflate, protect vital parts and a practical way to keep everything portable and usable.
The electronic controls of this system are in the right shoulder strap, in the front. The on/off logo indicates where exactly and you need to push three times fast to (de)activate. The green LED light and beeping sounds are your confirmation. After 45 seconds of absolute standstill, the H-MOOV will go into sleep mode but don’t worry: it only takes the slightest movement to trigger it again.
Some of these things imply that you don’t forget to turn the H-MOOV off when you change vehicles. It doesn’t have eyes so the difference between a jerky metro and a motorcycle crash is less clear to the H-MOOV than to us. Getting home and throwing your entire backpack through the room to make a statement could also result in an awkward situation. Helite believes that – correct or not – the H-MOOV will mostly come into the hands of skilled and conscious people to reach its full potential.
Reusable after intervention
It is a (replaceable) CO-cartridge that supplies the air when the electronic sensor detects an impact. The battery of the control system has an autonomy of about 25 hours. An orange LED light will indicate when you have two hours of autonomy left, and when there’s only half an hour left, it will start blinking nervously in the direction of the charger. You evidently use the correct charger, and not while you’re riding. The cable to do so is located in the right shoulder strap, right below the CO pattern.
An intervention of the airbag creates – apart from a puffy feeling – the necessity for the step-by-step plan that prepares everything to intervene again. The red LED light indicates that you have time to come to your senses first. Everything switches off after 30 seconds anyway. You might want to confirm this manually with the on/off button (3x) to take everything off safely.
Reloading is best done at home, in a calm moment, with all the attention required. Replacing the CO cartridge, unfixing the airbag, check it and fold it back in correctly, reactivate everything… it won’t hurt to take your time with this. After that, the H-MOOV is ready to go and ready for its next intervention.
Until then, you’ll also have an excellent motorcycle backpack.
That you wear it correctly, neatly tightened – the cross straps in the front as well – over your motorcycle jacket is so evident that we almost forgot to mention it.
