One Month to Kickstand up

Today is 1 August 2023, one month until kickstand up on my next long distance motorcycle trip (long distance for my standard, some of you folks rack 6,000 miles in seemingly a weekend lol). USA Midwest 2023 Trip Overview Blog Post

I have been in the process of getting the final bits of preparation in order, having Dexter serviced (still a couple of odds and ends to tend to), going through and inspecting my gear, and acquiring new gear. I really should blog some of my preparation, especially concerning gear, yeah, I should really probably do that…..maybe I will, I am a bit lazy at this whole blogging thing :). My wife wants me to do a video or two discussing my gear….I guess I will have to try now if my wife commands it ….but not today. Today is just another blog post (sorry honey) :).

Safety Gear

Safety Gear has been front of mind for myself and especially for this trip. Tragically, my brother in law (Eric Simley) passed away on April 12, 2023 after succumbing to his injuries endured from a motorcycle accident on April 2, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ. A car making a left hand turn, turned in front of him while he was traveling straight with the right of way through an intersection. Tragically he leaves behind a young and beautiful family. We all know there is a risk every time we ride and for myself anyways, it is always in my mind when I swing my leg over the seat. He was wearing full gear (mesh riding jacket, helmet, gloves, etc). Would more gear have saved Eric’s life? I don’t know and that question is difficult for me to even think about. All I do know is that the risk of injury can be mitigated to a certain degree with the proper personal safety gear (it can be a challenge to even determine what is “proper” safety gear). Eric’s passing demanded that if I was to continue to ride (which I am) that I needed to examine my safety gear and stop procrastinating some of my gear purchases I had been considering. Eric is on my mind often and I will carry his spirit with me as the ride goes on.

Helite Turtle 2 Airbag Vest

I had known about vest airbag systems and riding jackets with airbags for quite some time. I had considered these items in the past and placed them on my wish list on Cycle Gear and Revzilla respectively, however failed to ever actually pull the trigger on purchasing. For me, the hang up on purchasing these items had been the cost, choosing to spend my gear money on quality leather jackets, gloves, boots, and decent (not great) riding pants with the capability of armor and on my bike itself. My riding jackets are either high quality leather (to protect against loosing skin), or armor to mitigate breaks (or both in one jacket). And I was concerned about the bulk, heat, and comfort with regards to airbag vests or jackets.

After my brother in law’s accident in April of this year, I was jolted into seriously looking into how to improve the safety factor of riding if I was to continue to ride. I am not naïve in knowing that there are scenarios where no amount of safety gear will result into a happy ending for the rider. I decided to purchase and tryout the Helite Turtle 2 Airbag vest after doing some renewed research (many great video reviews on YouTube and of course from FortNine, one of my favorite moto YouTube channels). I decided on the airbag vest over a jacket with the thought that I can use this with my existing gear (jackets) and with a riding suit in future. Being a vest offers flexibility in use.

So far, I have only wore the vest twice (my ride to and from Carrolton, GA getting tires for Dexter). However, based on my limited experience I can confidently affirm to the following:

• Not Heavy – Once over my jacket, I could not event tell I was wearing the vest.
• Not Bulky – Again, I could not even tell I was wearing it
• Comfort – And again, I could not even tell I was wearing it
• Is it Hot? – Not enough data. It was hot both days but more so on second day with the temp around 96 degrees Fahrenheit (with Georgia Humidity). First ride I was wearing a leather jacket and on second ride wearing a mesh jacket with armor. Wearing the vest over the mesh jacket I was still getting some airflow. My back though was mildly sweaty as the mesh jacket has a back pad and the vest has a CE2 rated back pad. Considering the conditions, I will lean towards not ridiculous hot but not cool either.
• Being tethered to bike – Did not think I would, but I forgot twice that I was tethered to the bike when it was time to dismount. Not a big deal at all. Felt a slight tug, and that was it. I stopped and disconnected from tether.
• Quality – Vest construction and design appears to be very high quality with allot attention to detail. No loose stitching, material is quality material, very well made.

I will do a full review someday, probably, maybe on the vest. I plan on wearing it for the majority (all) of the USA Midwest 2023. I will likely do a review of the vest once I have long distance experience with it. So far, I give the Helite Turtle 2 Air Bag Vest a big thumbs up. It is not cheap (about the cost of a high quality riding jacket) but I feel it was a great investment. I am hoping to not have to actually test it fully though.