Helite E-Turtle Airvest and Fork Sensor Set-Up and Review
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- čas přidán 31. 12. 2021
- Alongside the electronic wizardry available on new motorcycles today - ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie etc... airbag technology provides the highest safety levels that we have for motorcycle crash protection and the wearing of one just seems like a no-brainer to me, if you can get beyond the current high prices!
In this video I have a look at and test out the one that I believe is the cream of the crop available at this time, the Helite E-Turtle.
E Turtle website information page:
heliteuk.co.uk/product/helite...
Helite E Turtle vest link: www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/moto...
Fork sensor link: www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/moto... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Had one for about 6/7 years now crashed in the first gen big high side at about 60/70mph i actually landed on the back of my head it saved me big time trust me they work now on the helite 2 its got a better collar and doesnt rub on the helmet like the first gen.rather have the tether you dont forget to charge it
👍😂
I bought the helite v.2 two years ago and I don’t regret it. No accident yet. This year, I bought the Helite leather airbag jacket and I have been waiting for it to go on sale. I found one on Facebook for $450 used literally only two times. Way better than spending $1200
Nothing beats the reliability of a tether. And that is the key feature as regards the safety gear. Still a very good product.
Just purchased a eTurtle airvest and found the video very helpful before I fit the fork sensor and use vest. Thank you. Rob
Excellent explanation of the E-Air bag. The best and most informative I have seen and has convinced me that I need the 'E' version of the Turtle jacket and not the lanyard version or in fact the back pack. I will be off to Sportsbike shop to check them out. Many thanks
A very informative and detailed review. Well done. I just subscribed on the strength and quality of this review.
The Helite vests are brilliant, although I've glady not had mine set off yet. The way that they protect your back, neck, kidneys and chest is a lot better than some of the more expensive alternatives on the market and with the simple cartridge change, you're not tied in to sending it back to the manufacturer for a service, or re-gas at whatever price they seem fit.
Like another comment above, I choose to go mechanical for the same reasons. A Gyro sensor may be quicker to react and cover you in a few more cases, but there's that chance of it going flat when you forget, are out on a tour, or a malfunction with the electronics and then it's just useless.
Here's hoping that nobody ever has to test theirs out, but they do give you the confidence that you're giving yourself a fighting chance to walk away from an accident. They should be more commonplace. Expensive, yes, but how much is your life worth and is it really better than a noisy exhaust that costs about the same?
Couldn't have put it better myself👍. As I replied to the other comment that you have mentioned, I can see the benefit in both methods, but the main thing is that we are some of the small percentage of bikers that have opted to wear them and that can only be a good thing in my opinion. Hopefully more people will adopt them in time.
Lee what size?
@jazzmaster420 I'm normally a medium ish.. but went with a large as it fit better. If you're buying one, make sure to try it on with your normal bike gear on to see how it suits,.or at least buy from somewhere with easy returns.
@@TheGrumpLee who has them in California?
@jazzmaster420 absolutely no idea, I'm in the UK
Thanks for the video, especially for your hint concerning the position of the fork sensor. I’m going to buy such a vest.
Glad it was helpful! I'm loving having mine now. To be honest it now feels a bit wrong riding if I don't have it on.
Great explanation and reviews, thank you!
Just got meself one - thanks for the video!
Thanks for the video. I'm impressed by the audio quality during the parts of the video when you're riding. How did you do it? Your voice is super clear and the wind noise is pretty low.
Cheers for that, I'm really glad you think the audio is good, it is the thing I have had to work on the most to get right... and I am still working on it to be honest! The audio in that video was recorded separate to the video and edited together afterwards. I recorded it on a Zoom H1N recorder, which I have in my jacket pocket wired to an external lavalier mic that I have wound around the boom mic of my Cardo system. It works well, but it means that I have a cable between my helmet and my pocket, which is a pain when I take the helmet off and most importantly it means that I have to stop off and take the recorder out of my pocket to turn the device on and off, so usually I just let it run, but that means that I have hours of mostly unusable audio to sift through when I am editing, so it's not perfect. However, I am waiting to take delivery of a DJI Mic, that I ordered a couple of weeks ago that I am hoping is going to solve all of those niggles. So, I'll still be recording audio and video separately, but the audio will be wireless and I am hoping the transmitter can be mounted to my helmet so that I can operate it on the move. Fingers crossed!
Anyway, sorry for the long winded answer, but getting that little issue right is a pet project of mine!🤣🤣🤣
Invaluable vid for those of us looking to get an eTurtle. I'm sorry for the scuffing on your fork but at least it will help us buyers to not make that mistake, if it makes you feel any better. Also at 3:23 i thought the vest will suddenly inflate and send your fist to your face 🤣
Thank you! Your explaination of the fork sensor mounting issues helped me understand how to put the thing on my KTM SuperAdventure. The instructions are less than comprehensive.
They certainly are! Check that your steering lock isn't impeded by the sensor as well, I had to rotate mine slightly enable the bars to get to full lock.👍
I have the e turtle w fork sensor for a year now and seems like a decent system
Yes, I like it, although I have to confess I have a had a charging issue with mine, but Helite UK are getting it sorted for me, so hopefully it is just a teething problem. They have lent me a tethered one to use in the mean-time, so I can't fault the service.
Great Vid. Thx.
okay... any insight on how the E-turtle would work riding off-road? ... bouncing off rocks and gutters... etc?
Thanks for a honest review and the heads up on fitting the fork sensor on a multistrada 1200s i would of crack up if that had happened to me. Sorry that it happened to you but uv saved other form the same thing happening too👊.
Cheers! I've put a sticker over the damage on the forks now and one day in the future I'll forget that the damage is there... one day in a very, very, very long time... maybe never!🤣
@@TheBoltHoleBiker thanks again for heads ups👍you can get a nice set of fork sleeves cover em totally i put em on mine the look class.
@@euhanlon4969 I hadn't thought of that, fine idea! Google here I come!
Nice review. Have me sold on this model. Curious if you can charge while you ride with it on and in the "on" position?
Awesome video, real straight to the point and informative 👌🏻I've just ordered an e turtle from sports bike shop, but I've noticed they've discontinued the fork sensor? Have you heard why? Thank you 👍🏻
Not discontinued, just in short supply for a little while. One of the Helite UK guys was on the teapot one podcast recently and he specifically mentioned a supply problem with the fork sensor but said it is coming back into stock.
Hi great video thanks with some good info, did you think about buying the fluro green one as a bit of added visibilty? just curios.
Hi, I know that is the sensible thing to do, but I have to confess that vanity got the better of me!
Great vid, I don’t like the idea of a tether, I have memory problems and will forget every time, also the electronic version will protect in a greater range of accident events it seems, I’m sold!
Sounds like you've had exactly the same train of though as me!
Don’t forget to charge the vest though! Considering getting one of these, the e vest seems like the best option. I’m thinking of that Bennett’s chap John Milbank & when he was rear-ended at low speed his ribs were fractured & a puncture lung (I think). The e vest would have protected him but the lanyard vest not so much as activation would have been delayed fractionally (maybe)…
Thanks for the video
I got mine in the mail today but I didn’t receive the wall charger only the usb
Well that’s my mind made up. I’ve been toying with the idea of a Helite for a while now. E-turtle it is with fork sensor. It will also make the Mrs a tad happier knowing I’m wearing one. I don’t think the charging will be too much of an issue. We are all used to charging our phones and headphones…etc etc.
Cheers for the heads up on the forks. Mine are anodised so that foam might come in handy.
Yes, hopefully I've taken the fork hit for everybody! I'm loving having a airvest and I do fell a lot better protected if the worst were to happen.
@@shockadellick Got to be something in it. I must admit I am surprised at how readily people are accepting them over here, I thought there might have been a bit of resistance to them, but there doesn’t appear to be, you see them everywhere now.
@@shockadellick No worries, cheers for watching!👍
Hi Can I wear that helite vest over the Leatt 5.5 body protector?Would the vest have enough room to expand in the event it's deployed? Thanks Bud.
Thanks for the video.
I am concerned that the back protector looks like it is rigid. If so, I doubt it can be stored in a top box when off the bike. That would make it unusable for me.
Thank you, another good video. What’s your thoughts on the Alpinestar tech5?
Cheers👍 The tech 5 looks good and it was endorsed by Rossi wasn't it (?), so it can't be bad! If I remember rightly, when that was one of the ones I was considering the things that put me off of it were that the air chambers are relatively small compared to some of the other jackets and they don't cover some of the key areas, such as the collar bones etc. And also is it not one of the ones that you need to send off to be serviced and re-armed after deployment? I think my general thoughts on a lot of the airvests on the market are that pretty much any of them would be infinitely better than not having one at all and I don't think that I have ever seen a bad Alpine Stars product!
@@TheBoltHoleBiker thank you so much for your input, and you are so right 50x the protection is the best way to ride. Well it’s snowing here in Oregon so I’ve got a few months to decide. Again thank you for the info. Looking forward to your next video!
@@dukiemoto8676 No worries, cheers for watching!
I sympathize with the fitting and the marks, I could see what was going to happen plain as day. You are right though, they screwed you, they manipulated your thinking and gave you a kind of “thought target fixation” on mounting at the bottom. Such a shame. I totally want one of these though, and I thank you for scratching your forks so I don’t have to. 😊
Hi Great review! I have 2 questions:
1) is the e-turtle algorithm system as good as competition? Do they use the same software?
2) for the turtle 2 mechanical option, what happens if it’s a slow low side accident that doesn’t allow the vest to go off . Wouldn’t that make it even more dangerous since you are almost like pulling the bike towards you, since you are still tethered to the bike ?
Thanks
What is your measurements and what size helite fits you? I am 5'9" to 5'10" and weigh 178 to 185 pounds. The medium fits me with a TINY bit of wiggle room on my revit jacket while the large fits me loose. Getting mixed fitting guides as many people either say go snugger and some say go looser...
Is there a corded way or its only electronic for one vest and only corded for the normal helite turt 2
So I worry about the summer wearing it. I live in the very south of the United States where 9 months of the year are very hot and summers are stupid hot. I've also travelled on my bike to Laos, Thailand, South China, Columbia and tons of places where its hot -- and plan on hauling off to Africa -- where a vest that heavy could be akin to death. Which is a thinner and lighter vest -- the turtle 2 or e-turtle? If equal, I would like the e-turtle. Last, are we sure the electronic version is reliable? I think a simple mechanical device is always best -- but if tested enough, sure an electronic system can be good. Thoughts?
Well, I totally get where you're coming from on the heat front, I'd say it is a lot easier being virtuous and wearing all the gear all the time if it doesn't mean melting in the sun! I even wrangled with whether I would actually wear one in the summer in England. My solution to that is that I am planning on wearing it with a full mesh jacket for complete airflow, but that is the solution for a British summer, which is a world apart from the conditions that you are in. In answer to your question the Turtle 2 is lighter, but not by much I don't think and I believe they are the same thickness, it is just the method of triggering the jacket that is different. I'm confident that the electronic trigger is reliable, but hopefully I never get to test that out! It is a dilemma. The one thing I will say is that there is at least a lot of airflow through the vest, as it doesn't close tightly together at the front and the areas under your arms are completely open. I hope that helps👍
Did you get your forks restored?
Two questions how is the electronics riding in heavy rain ,and can you charge it up as you are riding,over all its a good bit of safety gear ,a good bit of money to buy ,but really what is your health worth if you want to ride
Do you have a follow up on this after owning it for a year? I'm torn between the tethered and electronic ones. The latter are more likely to detect crashes where you remain close to the bike and I won't accidentally set it off when I forget the tether. The former means I don't have to worry about charging or the electronics in the unit. I'm not sure there are any regulations for these so it's probably just Helite's own testing that it's gone through.
From what I can gather the testing they have gone through is pretty comprehensive, so I'm very confident that it will deploy correctly if ever required. Personally I think the electronic one is certainly best for me, I don't like the thought of the tethered ones, for the reasons you mentioned - I can guarantee I'd forget to untether it virtually every time I get off of the bike and, as you say, it only deploys in crashes where you and the bike part company, so no protection from rear-end crashes etc. and potentially low-sides as well. After using mine for over a year now, I am very happy with it, the charge seems to last for days and you get a good couple of hours warning when it is getting low. You just have to remember to turn it on, which I've forgotten a few times, but then I guess that is the same for forgetting to tether on the tethered ones and it is easy to switch on whilst riding.
@@TheBoltHoleBiker Thanks for replying with the extra info/thoughts on it.
I'm loving the idea of the e-turtle but I'm still a bit terrified about reliability of electronics. It would be nice if you could crash and let us know how well it does on different accidents, but I know that's not realistic.
I guess you could tie the fork sensor to metal pipe and just test what it takes to go off. You can probably just remove the canister so you're not actually wasting them. Just hearing the triggering mechanism would be nice.
I'm pretty confident that the electronics are sound, but I know what you mean, being 100% sure would be nice. I know you can hear the triggering mechanism at any of the bigger motorbike shows in the UK, as Helite UK will will trigger one whilst you are wearing a vest on their stands, but I'm not sure where in the world you are. I would say I'll do my best to have an accident for you and report back, but realistically I'll try not to!🤣🤣🤣
I have testet my e-turtle 2 on a low side. It worked fine. I also use it on the race track over my leather suit (no camel back). My biggest issue is that I occasionally forget to turn it on 😊 Maybe I should do as surgested in the video and avoid turning it off. Another thing I love about this vest is that I can mix it with a mesh jacket on a varm summer day without compromising the safety
@@nielstengberg maybe what helite should add is an ignition module that automatically engages the airbag when the bike is on, an leave the airbag engaged for 2 minutes after the ignition is off. I think that would be a nice accessory they can add.
@@nielstengberg Good to hear that it worked and you are okay! Thanks for the feedback. I've also started wearing mine over a mesh jacket on warmer days and it works perfectly for me as well. I feel a bit undressed on a bike without it now.
Oh those scuffs on the fork leg would have upset me too ... not sure if it would work, but could you not slacken off all the clamp bolts on that leg and twist it around so the scuffs are facing toward the engine and 'hidden' from easy view?? Cracking review of the vest, seems like it's a decent purchase 😉
I hadn't considered that, but it could work. My method was to try and get an enamel paint in the right colour to touch them in, but it didn't work, so I have put a sticker over the area. It actually looks alright, but if it comes off I might try your suggestion!👍. The vest is great.
I have two summer jackets, both with back protectors.
I don't know if would be better to remove the jackets back protectors and keep the helite back protector or to keep jackets back protectors and remove the helite back protector ( more comfy).
If you have the new turtle, on their website helite recommends removing the back protector from your jacket and keeping theirs. The reason for this is that their back protector is over the airbag so it better disperses any impact.
I really feel you, as these marks on the fork must be... arrrghghg!
If you have a pass passenger you need 2 sensors?
Here in the USA the fork sensor is not available. I purchased the E Turtle electronic vest (To replace my lanyard vest) but was told Helite found an issue with the fork sensor.
Oh right, I've not heard of any issues with them, although thankfully I haven't had a real world test of mine, so finger's crossed it is okay.
It's my understanding that the delay in making the fork sensor available was a concern by the FCC about the frequency used to communicate between the sensor and the vest. I believe that problem has been resolved according to the Helite rep at Wunderlich. Consequently, I just took delivery of the e-vest with a fork sensor.
Seriously considering the vest, not sure I understand exactly how the fork sensor works or what sort of force or circumstance is required to activate the vest. If it's rapid fork dive, I'm not sure it would be as effective on a GSA with telelever suspension. Any thoughts?
I asked Helite uk about this yesterday, should work fine, not relying on fork dive
@@Jonwa63 Thanks for clearing up that concern. I usually have the bike on the center stand when in the garage, because it leans so far over on the side stand (space issues). It concerned me that rolling the bike off the center stand with the fork sensor activated would compress the forks sufficiently to set the vest off; likewise rolling off a curb. That's a load off ! 😅Thanks for ;your post.
After getting rearended at a stop light I immediately realized I don’t want the tether setup in my state that outlawed lane filtering.
Sorry to hear that. You think the tether setup won't work for that scenario vs the electronic one? My state doesn't allow lane splitting and filtering either and I was leaning towards tether mainly because I hear electronic triggers only at certain speed limit and not at standstill. But looks like fork sensor+electronic airbag > tether airbag > elctronic airbag ?
I struggle to pick L or XL size… I don’t have any chance of trying it on (not sold locally). Measurements and size guide give confusing messages. Is there any recommendation to pick the right one? I live in a very summery place so I will wear a summer jacket 10months a year (so not bulky). Thanks…
Hi, hope this isn't too late, but in my opinion unless you are very large then L will be sufficient. I generally wear L size clothes and have the L Helite vest and it is amply big enough. The XL is a lot bigger.
If you are in US helite has very good customer service where they advise you on sizing. There is a virtual appointment you can schedule. Representative asked for height and weight. I'm 185lbs at 5'8 and was recommended a Large.
It doesn't seem to have any collar bone protection. The neck and back protection look good. Thanks for the video.
all great and good. But can you wheelie without triggering it?
I'd guess so long as you don't fall off you can, I don't know for a fact though.
The front wheel coming down from a wheelie could trigger the fork sensor. If you want to wheelie or do track riding they recommend to remove the fork sensor.
@@ZH2. Oh right, I hadn't realised that, thanks for the head's up!
How does this suppose to fit around you, snug like fitted clothes from express/armani exchange or loose like you got it from walmart?
A bit loose to give it room to inflate. More Walmart than Armani.
Will Helite E-Turtle Airvest work for off-road adventure riding?
I'm pretty sure it will, but bear in mind that it only has one inflation per canister, so a spare canister might be a good idea to take along.
I think I'll stick with the tried and tested mechanical version, I don't like relying on batteries and circuit boards and sensors and remembering to charge the blooming thing, what happens if you put it on and it happens to stay in sleep mode!
How likely is this vest to survive 1 crash. Anything that isn't leather is only good for 1 crash. So how does this do more than 1 crash?
I know what you're saying, but apparently it does and even if it did just do one it still might save your life. Hopefully I never find out!🤣
Great video mate, bad shame about your forks though🙈
Not sure I’d use it, cos it don’t like back protectors. They give me backache. The old Thruxton likes me leaning forward🤣
Ha, ha, you need risers for your clip on's!🤣🤣🤣 Funnily enough, I know what you mean about back protectors, they sometimes make you feel a bit like Quasimodo, but strangely the vest doesn't seem to do that! Not to me anyway. Oh man, I was so gutted about my forks... I've put a sticker over them now, but I still know they're there!
I like my spine it's pretty helpful being functional and all.
will it go off if you drop the bike?
Great question, assuming if the fork sensor is installed to the bike ?? I'm going to ask the manufacturers... Never thought about that !!
What size do I need, 5’9” 150lbs
Well, I'm about 5'9" and the large is fine for me. I'm about 200 lbs, so a bit different there, but from what I can gather it is the length of the vest that is the most critical, so that the appropriate area of your back is protected. The adjustment straps can accommodate the difference in girth.
@@TheBoltHoleBiker yea, I still don’t get it. Seems like a medium might work
@@retrophonicbotique You could be right, might be worth trying a couple on. I think Helite do a 'try at home' service, where they send one out to you to try.
The retailer told me to size down so I did. I'm 6 ft, 83kg (183lbs), 35 inch waist. I have to retract the medium all the way down in the summer (shirt and leather jacket). So I have A LOT of room left. Size L would be way too large and would not fit snug even if it's retracted all the way
Would like to see real world tes
Good video but doesn’t need the music
El sensor de horqgilka6los han retirado del mercado por funcionamiento herroneo según me informa el distribuidor para España.. lo han retirarlo y hasta que no estén ok no los volverán a sacar.. por lo que a día de hoy el modelo electrónico no mejora ni da más confianza que el mismo modelo mecánico....
Eso es muy interesado, tengo un problema con el mio en este momento. Creo que me pondre en contacto Helite UK. Gracias por la informacion.👍
Mechanical vest doubts if it will go off before you get rear ended (unless you have very short cable) . But electronic vest even tho it will go off before you get rear ended I just dont trust electronics fully. If you forget to charge it etc... and you have to send the whole vest back to helite to get reset versus the mechanical where you only replace the co2 canister.
As far as I know you just have to change the canister in the e turtle as well, I've got a spare to put in if it ever has to inflate. I think you only need to send it back if the vest itself gets damaged, but that would apply to the tethered ones as well. I get your point about trusting the electrics, but I guess that they must have passed some pretty hefty testing to get to market. The charging thing is an issue and I will admit that I have forgotten on a couple of occasions, but I bet some of the tethered vest wearers have forgotten to tether on as well. For me having one just seems better than not having one and hopefully if its ever needed it does the job.
the electronic one should have the tether as well as a failsafe. Huge oversight.
E🐢🚫🍽️😂
Yep make it into a E turtle don't put a beard on it though it got exposed in the Wales 5 people crash just put a ball on the turtles head. But don't tell anyone though it's not like Allah is watching us something
🦒👍
🦒👍
As a trauma medic with 30 yrs A&E experience and 5 years track side medic IOM TT, web, MotoGP , bsb I am convinced IMHO that airbag are far superior to any level 1/2/3/4/5 armour. I wear the alpinestars techair 3 as it doesn’t have the heavy unnecessary back protector which makes the airbag almost unwearable (& a much larger jacket).I think having the airbag outside is possibly not as good due to potential damage during a crash . Worn on inside the jacket takes the abrasion brunt
I dont think this is relevant anymore. Tech has changed so much in airbag protection.