Repsol Honda reveals Alpinestars airbag suits – MotoGP News
The MotoGP has decided to make the use of airbag suits compulsory under the new regulations for the 2012 season.
News speculation from MotoGP officials, the office of Repsol Honda sent a description of the Alpinestars airbag suits used by their trio Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.
The special commission is looking to come up with rules that require a certain level of protection for the riders and one of the main points focused in the agenda is to use airbag suits. Alpinestar and Dainese are the suppliers to provide the majority in
the premier class. By the use of the inflatable leathers, the chances having a neck, shoulder and collarbone injury are greatly reduced. These are common injuries faced by the riders during a severe fall.
The safety of the riders is of high concern when it comes to racing, the Repsol Honda riders Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso are highly equipped with the latest technology for safety provided by Alpinestars Tech Air electronic airbag system.
According to Alpinestars, “This entirely wireless active safety technology is completely self-contained within the rider's race suits, relying on no external sources of information or system management.”
The microprocessor of the system is constantly calculating the rider’s movement on the bike which determines the launch of the air bags mounted within the leathers of the rider. This technology provides the rider an almost instant effective support and air-cushion
around his upper body to minimise the jerk of an accident during a critical racing situation.
“The Alpinestars system offers a trigger to full airbag inflation time of less than 45 milliseconds, using nitrogen based gas mix. Active safety is the future for rider protection, on track and on the street and the Repsol Honda riders are leading the way
with Alpinestars pioneering Tech Air system,” stated Repsol Honda and Alpinestars.
The fully inflated bags give a cushion support for more than five seconds, just before the system automatically allows the bags to deflate. The unique character of the system is that it gives a second time recharge to allow the rider to get back on the bike
and continue his race, with the same level of protection.
The mandatory safety agenda also includes the use of lever guards to reduce the crash numbers, caused by the front brake stuck-jam. The most memorable incident is a pile-up while cornering the first turn at Cataluña track in 2006. The wreck was triggered
when Sete Gibernau jammed the front brake lever of Loris Capirossi, shooting the Italian airborne and crossing the bars, followed by a number of riders who crashed in a chain effect.
Dainese also has an airbag suit technology available for the MotoGP riders named, ‘D-air’. Along with Alpinestars, it is the only other company that provides hi-tech safety racing leathers for the most of the GP grid. Ducati team riders also wear gear supplied
by Dainese.
Tags: