Ixon IX-Airbag U03 airbag vest – protection without restriction
Once the preserve of elite riders in MotoGP and World Superbikes, protective airbag technology has become available for the everyday motorcyclist. However, these garments and related electronic systems have been complex and costly – until now.
Ixon’s IX-Airbag U03 is a light (only 1.3kg) and comfortable vest that can be worn under virtually any riding jacket. It rapidly inflates to protect the upper body in the event of a fall and doesn’t need cables or sensors installed on the bike. With 75% of serious injuries in a motorcycle accident occurring to the thorax (upper chest) and abdomen, it makes a protective garment like this all the more important.
One of only three airbags approved by the FIM, the IX-Airbag U03 vest was developed by Ixon in collaboration with riders in MotoGP and the Endurance World Championship. The result of more than 100 million km of development, the vest is Class SRA 5 rated (the highest available) and uses In&motion airbag electronics to detect and respond to an impending impact.
This technology detects an impact in just 33 milliseconds and inflates even faster - in 22 milliseconds – to provide protection to the spine, neck, abdomen, thorax and collarbones. Combined detection and inflation time is approximately 0.055 seconds.
The Ixon IX-Airbag U03 incorporates two elements: the vest that you purchase at your motorcycle gear retailer; and the In&Box electronic controller that can be purchased outright or rented through a subscription-style service with In&motion. This isn’t a lock-in subscription, though. You can purchase annually, or just by the month (approximately $20/month), so if you’re not riding for an extended period, you won’t be paying for a service you’re not using.
For example, if you have a track day planned, you can subscribe to In&motion only for the month that the track day lands in. Same goes if you have a challenging adventure ride lined up in a remote area. However, the protection that the IX-Airbag U03 offers makes it worth the outlay for regular riding – and it’s certainly cheaper than the alternative a serious injury can create.
Ixon was the first to develop a fully independent electronic airbag that combines ease of use with proven protection. The IX-Airbag U03 represents the next generation of this development. The vest’s inflation volume is 12 litres and it can be worn for up to 30 hours before the In&Box electronic controller needs recharging. Recharge time is just 2 hours.
The vest’s construction features an inner mesh lining that’s breathable, while the back is padded for extra comfort and includes an integrated, CE-certified back protector. Stretch fabric in the side of the vest ensures a snug fit and is part of an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to wear under a jacket.
The In&Box electronic controller in the back of the vest is easy to install and remove, with a simple on/off button to activate and colour-coded LEDs that show the GPS signal function, inflator connection and battery charge level. These functions can also be viewed with the My In&Box app. If the airbag is deployed, you can replace the inflator (gas generator) yourself in around five minutes.
NOTE: the vest is only operational once the In&Box controller has been activated.
