Dainese's D-Tec wearable airbag on sale in 2010

We've seen some fairly interesting products made to keep motorcyclists safe, but after a decade or so of development, Dainese is getting set to loose its airbag suit on the riding world. The D-Tec system is essentially little more than a full-fledged wearable airbag, clearly aimed at motorcycle riders, daredevils and folks who simply feel inadequate with their upper-body physique. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a price range out in the open just yet, but considering the alternative of hitting the asphalt sans a cushion, we'd bet most riders will be willing to pay the premium. Check out the video demonstration after the break.

[Via BoingBoing, image courtesy of webBikeWorld]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2008 4:23PM]

police officers in japan or....... are already using such a thing btw the air bag vests are reusable of course you have to change the gas bottle it works with a cord connecting the vest to the bike and when you fall it inflates

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2008 4:34PM]

im going to be extra safe and wear one of these when i drive a car

[scolen2 Posted Mar 25th 2008 4:38PM]

So what your saying is that in 2010, there are going to be a lot more D-Bags on the road? LOL

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2008 4:52PM]

pretty friggin sweet!!! Im getting one asap!

[dardub Posted Mar 26th 2008 2:53AM]

Thank you, but I'll stick to wearing my inflatable sumo suit when riding my bike.

[Brian Posted Mar 26th 2008 8:43AM]

Seems like a good idea but I wonder how well it will protect. And most riders will NOT be willing to pay the premium for prtection. Most riders don't even buy real leather jackets and go with something else that is only 2 or 3 hundred bucks cheaper then real leather.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2008 3:45PM]

the idea with this is to stop you from breaking your neck or getting a cuncussion when you hit the ground - as a survivor of a couple motorcycle accidents I can tell you that I'm getting one of these as soon as I can. The idea of this isn't to keep you from getting hurt (you're supposed to be wearing gear so you won't grind away flesh) but to keep you alive.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2008 3:49PM]

@yorks - actually most riders (at least of the many that I know) go with kevlar infused jackets, or something similar that provides MORE protection than leather.... but what do I know. I myself use a full body rain suit ( i live in washington) when it's raining that also does a pretty good job of keeping you from shredding yourself to bits when you fall - believe me I've tested it so i know. If it's sunny out i have a leather jacket I wear.

[Brian Posted Apr 2nd 2008 8:23AM]

Uh no, most ridings where mesh type gear. I ride my Gixxer 365 days a year, rain or shine and even sometimes in the snow if I must. Been that way for years. I have never been down but I always wear 100% leather. And live on the east side and work in Seattle. I actually don't know anyone who has a 100% kevlar suit, let alone a jacket. Almost everyone wears textile. But kevlar isn't as well as leather unless it is the hard kevlar. Such as my jacket, it is 100% leather but it has kevlar inside for the armor inside from the impact of going down, it provides the least protect for road rash. Leather provides that protection. Just like when you look at kevlar gloves, only the knuckles are hard kevlar. You should check out a bullet proof vest; if a dude came at you with a knife it is going right through the kevlar. That's basically the same thing as dragging kevlar on the road, it will shread. Nothing protects road rash then leather, which is why it costs the most.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2008 1:18PM]

so yeah a thin layer of kevlar will shred but not when you take kevlar threads and interweave them with gortex. Look it up man, their expensive (and heavy) but they provide the best protection you can get for your money.

[ChewChewTrain Posted Mar 27th 2008 9:44AM]

The entry-level version inflates just below your beltline. The marketing dept. says it'll be quite popular with the insecure male, nightclub set.

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2008 10:22PM]

This concept was I believe first described in Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash. In case anyone feels like reading.