BMW Motorrad announce exclusive cooperation to incorporate Alpinestars Airbag technology in BMW Motorrad riding jackets to maximize rider safety
BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars announce that they are starting an exclusive cooperation in innovative motorcycle safety clothing systems. The first product to be launched under this cooperation will be a BMW Motorrad jacket jointly developed by BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars, combined with an airbag waistcoat developed using Alpinestars technology. The new BMW Motorrad jacket, being branded by both makers, will be available in both male and female versions and the public presentation of this newly developed airbag jacket will be held later this year.
The airbag waistcoat is based on Alpinestars’ Tech-Air™ airbag system, the world’s first self-contained street airbag system that independently functions without the need for sensors to be installed on the bike and the subsequent need to link a specific motorcycle to the airbag system used by the rider.
This means that the airbag waistcoat offers the freedom to ride any bike on any surface at any time and can be used with any type of BMW Motorrad motorcycle or scooter, allowing the rider to easily switch between bikes without reconfiguring or reinitializing the bike-to-rider set-up.
Therefore, the system is immediately ready for use and no time is wasted in setting up electronic pairing between rider and/or passenger and motorcycle. This BMW Motorrad/Alpinestars jacket and airbag waistcoat offers comprehensive upper body protection including shoulders, back and frontal torso. By incorporating its sensors close to the rider’s body the airbag system activates without the need for a triggering wireless signal to be sent from the bike.
BMW Motorrad is the only motorcycle manufacturer to have developed the complete range of rider equipment ever since the 1970s – from motorcycle helmets to rider suits, boots and gloves. In doing so, high priority is attached to maximum comfort for the rider and passenger as well as minimizing the potential consequences of accidents.
BMW Motorrad has always regarded motorcycling and safety as being inseparably linked and anchored in the “Safety 360°” principle. “Safety 360°” breaks down the overall concept of safe motorcycling into three facets: safety technology in the vehicle, safety deriving from rider equipment and safety through rider training
Alpinestars has been innovating motorcycle riding technology for rider protection, performance and comfort for over 50 years. The Tech-Air™ airbag system, which forms the basis of their active safety cooperation with BMW Motorrad, is the result of Alpinestars’ intensive research and development which commenced in 2001.
For decades, both companies have maintained a leading role in active and passive motorcycling safety. This new cooperation, between BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars, is now extending their position further through this joint development agreement.
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2014, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.118 million cars and 123,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2014 was approximately € 8.71 billion on revenues amounting to € 80.40 billion. As of 31 December 2014, the BMW Group had a workforce of 116,324 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
Alpinestars
Established in 1963, Alpinestars is the world-leading manufacturer of high-performance motorcycling and motorsports apparel, clothing and safety gear. Alpinestars’ goal has always been to give racers the competitive edge by continuously innovating and developing new technologies and materials to improve performance. In the fast and competitive arena of motorsport, even the smallest improvement can translate into significant gain. The same approach to continued technical development is applied to road apparel safety, function and comfort.
The leading athletes in every conceivable motorsport discipline provide direct feedback to aid the development of Alpinestars’ technical products, from Formula 1 to NASCAR, U.S. Supercross and Motocross to MotoGP. With this input and expertise, combined with highly specialist research and development departments and laboratory testing facilities in the US and Europe, Alpinestars ensure that they are constantly pushing the limits of technology with each new product they launch, benefiting customers on both two and four wheels.
