VOLUME 59 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 P101
STANDOUT FEATURE
Full MotoGP-spec protection now
for Joe Blow
RIDER ANALYSIS
When I was watching practice for
the 2017 Red Bull Grand Prix of The
Americas, Maverick Vinales had a
small get off. "Nothing out of the
ordinary," I thought. Then I looked
at his suit. All of a sudden, Maverick
had child-bearing hips and I realized
he was wearing the latest ¾ length
version of the Alpinestars Tech-Air
airbag system. Fast forward five
years and now it's you and I who
can have childbearing hips.
I'm a big fanboy of airbag
systems, and it feels a little odd if
I venture out onto the track with-
out one these days (I've had some
belting crashes in airbag suits and
know how well they work).
The Tech-Air 10 is substantially
different to the Tech-Air Race gar-
ment I've been wearing at Cycle
News for the past five years or so.
I got quite used to the Tech-Air
Race, especially the one in my white
Racing Absolute suit that's been
featured on these pages so many
times, the bulk of which just became
a normal part of the suit.
The Tech-Air 10 provides far
superior protection than the Tech-
Air Race does. Three-quarter length
protection is a real achievement
ever, there is absolutely no denying
the benefit the Tech-Air 10 system
brings. This is the best technology
currently available to the buying
public for racetrack safety, and
even if you never venture on track,
you can still have it for the road by
switching algorithms.
Rennie Scaysbrook
•EXCELLENT SAFETY COVERAGE
•COMPATIBLE WITH
MULTIPLE SUITS
•IS A BIT CRAMPED WHEN
STUFFED INTO A FULL ROAD
RACING SUIT
•EXCELLENT SAFETY COVERAGE
•IS A BIT CRAMPED WHEN
the company should be proud of,
but I found the airbag to be a bit
cramped when wearing it in the Fu-
sion one-piece suit.
Before I go on, I must note that
the suit was brand new and had not
had much chance to break in, and
when putting a full airbag undergar-
ment in, things can get a bit tight.
On the bike I found I got used
to it after a while, but I was never
as comfortable as when I wore my
Tech-Air Race. That's simply because
there's so much more protection
around my hips and upper legs—
something I've never had before—so
that took some time to get used to.
I think after a few more wears, I'll
adapt to the Tech-Air 10, as I did the
Tech-Air Race after a career of never
wearing an airbag.
The fit is a very personal thing
and some others on this test with
me did not have this issue. How-
LOWDOWN
TECH-AIR 10 AIRBAG SYSTEM
List Price: Alpinestars Tech-Air 10 Airbag system: $999.95
Website: https://www.alpinestars.com
A few more wears and
Rennie thinks the suit
will feel a bit looser and
more comfortable.
