Dainese have unveiled the Smart GO, a new electronic motorcycle airbag designed to remove as many of the barriers to everyday airbag use as possible.
Airbag protection has become increasingly accessible to road riders, but Dainese acknowledge there are still reasons why many motorcyclists don’t wear one on every journey. Weight, bulk, heat, charging routines, complexity and cost can all get in the way. The Smart GO has been developed to address those compromises.
Perhaps the most obvious change is weight. The complete Smart GO, including its gas generator, weighs just 780g, which Dainese say makes it the lightest motorcycle airbag on the market and almost half the weight of their previous lightest system.
Its compact construction has also been designed to maximise airflow, and make the Smart GO easier to pack away when it isn’t being worn. Dainese say it can fit into a backpack, bike luggage or beneath a scooter seat.
There’s another attempt to simplify things when it comes to power. Rather than using an internal rechargeable battery, the Smart GO takes power from an external source connected through its integrated USB-C cable.
That can be an OTG-compatible smartphone or a power bank. Dainese are offering a dedicated ultra-slim 5000mAh Dainese Smart GO power bank, which provides up to 72 hours of riding use.
The system itself therefore doesn’t need to be plugged in and charged between rides, although naturally its chosen power source needs to have charge available.
Photography: Dainese
Dainese have also addressed another potential obstacle: sizing. The Dainese Smart GO comes in a single adjustable size, using straps to adapt to different body shapes. It can be worn either over or underneath motorcycle clothing, as well as with casual jackets.
Despite the emphasis on making the system smaller and simpler, Dainese haven’t reduced the certified level of protection. Smart GO is certified to Level 2 under the CE airbag standard for both the chest and back, without requiring an additional passive back protector.
It’s a completely electronic system, so there is no tether or physical connection to the motorcycle. Dainese’s D-air algorithm monitors the rider and is designed to identify dangerous dynamics before inflating the airbag within milliseconds when its activation conditions are met. The algorithm has been developed for road riding and light off-road use.
The airbag itself uses Dainese’s Diaframma construction, intended to produce consistent inflation across the protected area. After a deployment, the gas generator can be replaced by the owner, with the system supporting up to three replacements where appropriate.
Photography: Dainese
There’s also an optional 15-litre water-resistant backpack designed specifically for Smart GO. It attaches to the airbag using a magnetic fastening system, allowing it to be fitted or removed in seconds.
Having a backpack incorporated into the airbag overcomes the inherent restrictions when wearing a conventional rucksack over the top of an airbag.
The backpack includes an organiser, laptop compartment and external pocket, making the combination suited to commuting and everyday riding.
The Dainese Smart GO will cost £329 in the UK, including the gas generator. The optional water-resistant backpack is £119, while the dedicated power bank costs £35 and a replacement gas generator £59.
That pricing supports the same aim as the rest of the design: lowering the barriers to airbag ownership as well as making the system easier to live with once it’s bought.
Photography: Dainese
