My daughter-in-law’s father, Mason Stevenson, was recently out riding on a nice clear sunny day in west New Orleans. He was fully protected with a helmet, jacket, gloves and pants, but when an SUV pulled out in front of him at an intersection there was no avoiding the crash. His motorcycle was buried into the front wheel well of the SUV and even though he was rushed to the hospital, he died several days later of his injuries. This left me wondering, what could have been done to avoid this? He was an experienced rider and wore all of the right gear! So, I spent many hours researching, and it’s my belief that had he been using an airbag system, he could have survived this crash. I want to share what I found in the hopes that this information could save another rider.
Motorcycle airbag systems, designed to protect riders in crashes, are available from suppliers like Alpinestars, Helite, Klim, and Dainese. Helite and Alpinestars have videos that show horrendous crashes, but where the motorcycle riders get up and walk away. They were protected by their gear and their airbag systems.
Airbag systems work by rapidly deploying airbags around a rider’s shoulders, back, chest and ribcage (otherwise known as the “box of life”), using Argon or CO2 charges. This significantly reduces the severity of injuries in an accident and saves lives, as evidenced by numerous testimonials and their required use in MotoGP.
The US motorcycle rider fatality stats are not favorable. Twenty-three percent of the fatalities were motorcycle riders who were between the ages of 25 and 34 Older age groups, don’t fare better either: The fatality rate with age falls slowly to 16% by age 64! There is no guarantee that with more experience, one would ride more safely. (reference: https://bikerestart.com/motorcycle-accident-statistics/).
A highly rated system like the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 includes a back protector and has the best full upper body coverage: chest, ribs, back and shoulders like the ones that are required for MotoGP riders, The Tech-Air 5 now weighs less than 4 lbs. and is “more comfortable, has better air flow with a mesh fabric framework” and is user re-inflatable up to 6 times. It retails for about $829.
Additionally, there are US market motorcycle airbag vests from Dainese, Helite, and Klim/In&Motion, and others that offer enhanced safety.
Are motorcycle airbags worth it?
Ask yourself: How Much is your Life worth?? There’s no question that the additional protection you’ll have if you crash with an airbag is a major improvement compared to crashing without one. Surely that improvement is “worth it”. Price wise, the airbags are only a little more than the cost of the average insurance deductible for a hospital stay and less than the cost of many other optional accessories. Why would you spend good money on a Farkle when you could buy something that can save your life instead?
Remember … All the Gear, All the Time!
Compiled by G. Holmes, Active member of the EagleWings MC Club, Hendersonville, NC. Owner/collector of BMW motos and sidecars. 2025.