See the airbag system for BMW Motorrad motorcyclists

BMW Motorrad launches BMW Motorrad Street Air by Alpinestars, an advanced airbag system that provides riders with complete upper body protection in on- and off-road conditions.

Technologically based on the existing Alpinestars Tech-Air® road airbag system - which requires no sensors on the bike. Specifically, it uses an advanced algorithm that detects imminent danger with maximum accuracy and inflates the airbag, effectively protecting the rider's upper body in the event of a collision before the first impact.

The BMW Motorrad Street Air Dry by Alpinestars fabric jacket is designed to attach to the Alpinestars airbag system vest and is an essential accessory for full system functionality.

It provides direct protection for the upper body by covering the back, kidneys, chest and shoulders - the areas most exposed in a collision. It is also completely independent for the reason that - with sensors very close to the rider's or passenger's body - the airbag is activated without the need for a wireless signal from the motorcycle.

This jacket is the first safety product to be launched as part of an exclusive partnership between BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars and will be available for men and women in different colours from October 2016.

Main features of the BMW Motorrad Street Air by Alpinestars:

Full airbag deployment in 25 milliseconds for protection in collisions and loss of control situations, whether moving or stopped - such as a reverse collision with the motorcycle stopped at a traffic light.

The system does not require the installation of sensors on the motorcycle or the connection of a specific motorcycle to the airbag system.

 Ready to use immediately, no time is needed for the electronic pairing between rider and/or passenger and motorcycle. The rider can easily switch motorcycles without having to set up or restart the system.

Due to the position of the sensors close to the body, the airbag system can be used on the road or on off-road routes.

 The system does not need to be switched off if the motorcycle leaves the tarmac and goes off-road or stops for a change of set-up. Therefore, changing pavement/terrain types on the trip is not a problem.

 The system is protected by a durable and waterproof case which, when worn under a compatible outer jacket, means that the airbag system is fully waterproof.

BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars offer the rider the freedom to ride any motorcycle on any surface, at any time and the system can be used in on- or off-road conditions with all types of BMW motorcycles and scooters. BMW Motorrad is the only motorcycle manufacturer to have created a full range of rider equipment since the 1970s - from helmets to helmets to uniforms, boots and gloves. For all these products, a high priority has been given to maximum rider and passenger comfort and to minimising the potential consequences of accidents.

BMW Motorrad has always regarded motorcycling and safety as inextricably linked, which is embodied in the "Safety 360°" principle. "Safety 360°" breaks down the overall philosophy of safe motorcycle riding into three sub-areas: safety technology in the vehicle, safety derived from rider equipment and safety through rider education. Alpinestars has been delivering innovative motorcycle technologies that have been improving rider protection, performance and comfort for more than 50 years. The Tech- Air™ airbag system, which is the basis of its partnership with BMW Motorrad in active safety, is the result of intensive research and development by Alpinestars that began in 2001.

For decades, both companies have been leaders in active and passive rider safety. The new cooperation agreement between BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars strengthens the position of both companies.