Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest | Gear Review

Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest front

Airbag vests are becoming more mainstream, the technology trickling down from MotoGP racing to mere mortals like you and me. There are two broad categories: tethered, which attaches to the bike and uses the broken connection to activate the airbag; and wireless, which uses sophisticated algorithms and gyroscopic sensors to determine when to activate. Klim’s entry into the wearable airbag vest arena, the Ai-1, is of the latter category. So what makes this piece of potentially lifesaving and almost certainly pain-and-suffering-saving apparel tick?

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The “brain” of the Ai-1 is by a French company called In&Motion, which got its start making wearable airbag protection for equestrians and skiers. The Ai-1 is the first motorcycle-centric wearable airbag for both In&Motion and Klim, and according to Klim it’s also the first to use artificial intelligence to continually evolve and “learn” how best to protect us. Using data collected from its vests, canyon carving, cruising and racing all over the world, the Ai-1 is continuously updating its algorithms, ostensibly resulting in a safer, smarter product.

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Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest back

Unfortunately (well, fortunately), I did not test the Ai-1’s crash performance, but I’m happy to report on its comfort and usability. Like any piece of technology, there is a bit of setup time involved once unpacked from its shipping box. The vest will not function until you activate the “brain,” which involves downloading the My In&Box app, creating a user account, choosing a payment plan and pairing your vest to your account. Uniquely, Klim and In&Motion have also chosen to offer a subscription plan, which is why the Ai-1 vest, at $399.99, costs quite a bit less than its competitors. You have the option of paying $12/month or $120/year, which includes an unlimited warranty, VIP support and a new “brain” after three years; or buying the “brain” outright for $399, which includes a two-year warranty and basic support.

Once set up, all you have to do is push the vest’s power button and put it on. It is not abrasion-resistant or waterproof, and you will want to make sure your jacket fits loosely enough to allow the vest to inflate (detailed instructions on how to verify your jacket is compatible with the Ai-1 can be found on klim.com). While the airbag covers the front of the torso, around the back of the neck and down each side of the spine, the Ai-1 also includes a CE-certified back protector, so you will want to remove the one in your jacket when wearing the vest. The battery lasts for 20-plus hours (and is easy to charge with the included USB cable) and it is designed to withstand up to three inflations (crashes) before needing to be serviced.

I hope I never have to test the Ai-1’s protection capabilities, but I have to admit that I feel safer when I’m wearing it. The Ai-1 is available in unisex sizes Small to 3XL; see website for sizing details.

For more information: call (208) 552-7433 or visit klim.com

15 COMMENTS

      • Look on In&Motion’s website: Moto, Support, Documents, Detection Cases.

        There you will find the following statement:

        Warning: The detection system uses the In&Motion’s GPS signal to optimize triggering cases. When the system does not detect or detects a GPS signal poorly, the systems degree of detection is not at the level of performance achieved with optimal GPS signal. Thus airbag triggering is not guaranteed.

        It also says the vest does not work under 25 km/h in street mode (50 km/h in track mode) You also must strike an object at 90 degrees +/- 45 degrees

    • That link is for their skiing airbag – NOT the motorcycle airbag made by KLIM. In fact it warns that the airbag is NOT to be used on motorcycles. So it very possible that the system functions differently for the KLIM air vest.

  1. That’s an excellent bit of information. I wonder if they offer a coverage map. The more research I do the more I’m pulled toward the Helo Turtle 2 vest. Thanks!

    • You are basically dealing with 2 companies. You pay Klim $400 for the vest but it won’t work without activation. For activation you deal with In&Motion and they give you 3 options:

      1. $12 a month subscription
      2. $120 a year subscription
      3. $399 purchase

      So if you don’t want to deal with a subscription the vest plus activation will cost you $800 up front.

      If you do choose one of the subscription options they give you a 30 day grace period after your subscription expires before they deactivate the vest.

  2. Bob Moir,
    No it will not work if you don’t pay your bill.
    I was reading that they will give you a 30 day grace period before they deactivate the unit. When you power it up you will know if it’s activated.

  3. So to buy it outright is $800. Who the hell would choose this garbage over the Dainese vest that’s CHEAPER and has MotoGP proven results.

    Idiots, that’s who.

    (Don’t even get me started on the subscription pricing, that’s just an insult to anyone who can do basic math.)

    • While the Klim vest is obviously not worn by MotoGP riders, the first In&Motion system was jointly developed with MotoGP riders and is worn by MotoGP, Moto2, EWC, FSBK, BS. In&Motion has partnerships with Held, Furygan, Klim, Hyod, RST, Ixon, Tucano Urbano and perhaps others by now.

  4. The In&Box manual that comes with the vest lacks many details. The Klim manual didn’t even come with the vest, I had to find it online. It says not to wear it under one piece racing suit unless it is listed as “compatible” (I never found a list). That manual also says not to zip the pants to the jacket, so two piece race suits are also out.

    Most track days require the pants and suits to be zipped, and there’s no sure way to know whether you have enough room for the vest to inflate under your regular jacket without risking injury from inadequate room.

    Couple that with the minimum riding speeds mentioned above (I did not find that anywhere, so unsure if it’s accurate), as well as the iffy performance if the GPS isn’t active, and I’m looking elsewhere. I really wanted to like this vest but oh well.

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