A truck pulls out from a side street…An SUV makes an illegal u-turn…A car changes lanes on the freeway without looking…

Impact.

You’re hit, thrown airborne and slammed onto the road. You were smart to wear armored leathers, back protector and a full-face helmet. But. Massive impacts are too much for traditional padding to absorb and in the U.S. every year over 5,000 motorcyclists are killed. Sadly, it’s a risk all riders have been forced to accept- until now.

Designed to reduce the shock of impact, the MV-2 vest is a groundbreaking product that protects in ways normal gear can’t. When the rider and motorcycle separate, compressed gas from a replaceable cylinder fills the vest, enveloping you in what feels like a giant blood-pressure cuff.

The chest and back, tailbone and hips are shielded by air bladders and a donut-shaped pillow surrounds the neck, restricting flexion.

Made of lightweight mesh, the vest fits comfortably over a jacket and weighs 3.5 pounds with the optional chest armor. Stylish and understated, the MV-2 looks surprisingly good over leathers.

It’s interesting how people react to the vest. It seems everyone has an opinion as to how effective it is. One guy in particular had an unusual theory that once deployed, the vest would raise the rider’s center of gravity, causing increased injuries due to tumbling. Even if this is true, the benefits the Hit-Air offers far outweigh any peripheral trauma that could occur.

Testing by the Japan Automobile Research Institute proves The Hit-Air’s ability to absorb life-threatening shocks. Dummies equipped with air-bags showed a 60% reduction in chest deflection, 50% less head acceleration and 25% less body g-force compared to those with padding only.

Dummy testing is one thing but actual crash testing paints a vivid picture.

Club racer Alan Cunningham was wearing an MV-2 vest when he high-sided, tumbled and landed on his head during a recent event at Infineon Raceway. The Hit-Air inflated instantly and stabilized his head, preventing serious neck injury.

Another misconception is that the Hit-Air is a one shot deal. Unlike an automotive airbag, the vest is reusable and extremely durable. Resetting the vest is a simple ten-minute job that involves squeezing any remaining air from the cushions and snapping six buttons together on the neck and hip pockets. The gas cartridge is then replaced and the trigger is reset using the supplied Allen wrench.

Thankfully, I’ve yet to personally test the vest but I did deploy it in my garage, which revealed several details. First, there’s no chance of the vest going off by accident, as the tether needs to be forcefully yanked before the vest inflates. According to the manufacturer, sixty-pounds of pull is required to trigger the vest, so forgetting to disconnect the cable when dismounting won’t result in embarrassment.

Wrapped in the vest’s firm embrace, I felt my breathing slightly restricted but almost immediately the pressure was relieved as automatic deflation began.

Moving my neck was nearly impossible and my back and chest were totally covered as well.

Airbag technology raises the game of motorsport protection to a new level and the best part is the price. At $339 it’s cheaper than a high-end helmet and well within the reach of most riders. Sizes range from XS to 3XL. Fully armored textile jackets start at $399 and replacement gas cartridges cost between $14-$19.