It’s not that easy to buy motorcycle airbags every time after use. And that’s why I encounter many people asking, are motorcycle airbags reusable?  

At the time of impact, the gas release from the gas canister helps to inflate the airbag. After refilling the gas canister, you can use the motorcycle airbags again and it’s way cheaper than buying a new motorcycle airbag every time. In simpler words, motorcycle airbags are reusable.  

But how can you use the motorcycle airbag again? And is the efficiency of reusable airbags the same as the new one? In this post, you’ll get all your answers related to airbags. 

How Motorcycle Airbags Work? 

Just like airbags in the car, motorcycle airbags work on the same principle. The motorcycle airbags explode in less than a fraction of a second after impact. 

A motorcycle airbag creates a thick layer around you that absorbs all pressure that you otherwise experience without a motorcycle airbag during impact. 

The motorcycle airbag protects your spine and neck area by dividing and absorbing the pressure. 

If you’re looking for the best upper body protection, then a motorcycle airbag is the crown of it. 

Please don’t confuse the motorcycle airbag with the preinstalled airbag in some Honda motorcycles. 

Are Motorcycle Airbags Reusable? 

Before answering this question, I need you to know how motorcycle airbags work. 

The airbags come with a compressed gas canister which helps to inflate the motorcycle airbags. 

At the time of impact, the gas release from the gas canister helps to inflate the airbag, and at the same time, the pressure valve helps to release the pressure. 

With the proper synchronization of all parts, the motorcycle airbags protect the rider’s neck, spine, and ribs area from severe injuries. 

But after inflation, the gas canister got wasted, and you need to buy a new canister to fit in your airbags. 

Generally, the new canister would cost you around $20. You can replace the old canister with the new one within a few minutes. 

In this way, it’s safe to say that motorcycle airbags are reusable. But please pay attention that your motorcycle airbags aren’t destroyed from the previous impact. 

Otherwise, you’ll have to purchase a new motorcycle airbag for yourself. 

What Makes an Airbag Perfect? 

Before buying the airbag, there are some factors or conditions that you should see. Here’re some conditions which make the airbag perfect. 

What Makes an Airbag Perfect:

Airbags should come with an instant reaction mechanism.

The airbag shouldn’t contain any material that catches fire easily.

Airbags must differentiate between shocks and real-life accidents.

Instant Reaction: 

It doesn’t matter whether it is complex sensors or any conventional system; the airbag should open in a fraction of seconds. Professional riders consider airbags that fail to explode instantly as useless because they may cause severe injuries. 

I recommend checking the opening time of the airbag; the ideal explodes time of the airbag should be below one second. 

False Alarm: 

It’s an unhidden fact; we generally experience shocks on our motorbike while riding on the streets.

The ideal airbag shouldn’t be open because of these shocks, or the airbag should at least know the difference between shock force and accident forces. 

I recommend checking the force limit before buying the airbag; the lesser the force limit, the more it will explode in the influence of shocks. 

Shouldn’t Cause Fire: 

The ideal airbag shouldn’t be made from a material that catches fire quickly. Also, the airbag shouldn’t contain any material which may catch fire easily.

What are the Different Types of Airbags? 

Generally, in the market, you’ll find two types of airbags, tethered and algorithm-based airbags. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. 

And it’s up to you which one you should choose, but the best thing is that both types of airbags are effective and would protect your upper body. 

Types of Airbags:	Advantages:	Disadvantages:
Tethered airbag.	Classic and cheaper than algorithm-based airbags.	Tethered airbags are not for forgetful people.
Algorithm-based airbag.	It comes with smart sensors which keep updating them.	It requires regular charging, even some airbags can’t be charged at home.

Tethered Airbag : 

Tethered airbags are also called classic airbags because of their design and simple and effective mechanism. In the tethered airbag, you need to put the trigger and tie it with the chord. 

At the time of an accident, this chord will help you to enable the airbag. The best thing about tethered airbags is that they are easily affordable and don’t have a battery.

Since the tethered airbag has a simple design, you can expect a cheap recharge process. 

One of the most significant drawbacks of tethered airbags is that this bag is not made for forgetful people.

If they do not detach themselves with the chord, then Pusshhh!! They waste one canister of compressed gas. 

Sometimes, some people don’t fall from the motorbike at the time of an accident, and for this scenario, the tethered bag is not good.  

Algorithm-Based Airbag:

Algorithm-based airbags are one of the human-made motorbike gear of the 21st century. The algorithm-based airbags come with a group of sensors such as GPS, accelerometer, etc. 

The algorithm-based airbag responds in the 1000 fraction of a second, and the best thing about sensors is that they continuously learn and update according to riders’ movement. 

Although it’s a bit expensive, you still won’t need to connect algorithm-based airbags with the motorbike.

If you’re a bit techy who understands the technological aspect, then algorithm-based airbags can be good for you. 

Most algorithm-based airbags can’t be charged at home, which is the biggest flaw of this type of airbag. 

The second biggest flaw of algorithm-based airbags is that they come with batteries that require regular charging like a smartphone, and you can’t expect this type of airbag to work without changing entirely.

So set a reminder to charge the airbag regularly. 

Without proper motorbike gears, the airbag won’t work effectively. That’s why you should read my previous article about ” what to include in motorbike gear list”. Click here to read.

Airbags that I Recommend: 

The problem with many riders is that they’re still sitting on the fence, even after reading this post. No worries. Now I’m going to spill the beans so that you can also select the best airbag for you. 

Alpinestars T-Missile Air Jacket for Tech Air Race:

It’s a trend of wearing, selling, and buying thick motorcycle airbags. But it wouldn’t be possible to wear thick motorcycle jackets in the hot weather of Florida and Hawaii. 

I’d recommend that you don’t jump on the bandwagon if the weather surrounding you is hot. Instead, you can go with the Alpinster T-missile Air Jacket for hot weather.

The best thing about this jacket is that it’s lightweight and thin, which maximizes the airflow. 

It’s the trust of Alpinster manufacturers, which don’t produce cheap products come rain or shine.  So don’t worry about the safety of this jacket. 

Alpinster jacket comes with kidney, chest, spine protection, and an intelligent system that will inflate the airbag before you know it.

With this jacket, you can expect elbow protection at the time of impact. 

Pros: 

• The Alpinster T-missile jacket is best for hot and humid weather. 
• You’ll get elbow protection along with chest and spine protection. 
• You’ll get an Alpinster pants connection point with this jacket. 

Cons: : 

• Some riders feel snugs at the waist and chest area, so buy this jacket a little longer. 

Where to Buy: 

Check the latest price of Alpinestars T-Missile Air Jacket on Amazon.com by clicking here.

Also, check the latest price of Alpinestars T-Missile Air Jacket on Revzilla by clicking here.

Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest:

Newbie riders generally think that they can’t wear the airbag under their motorcycle jacket.

Now those days are gone when you’ve to buy motorcycle airbags according to your jacket. 

The Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest is the smartest and best option among all motorcycle airbags, which you can wear under your jacket. Tested 700+ times in the actual situation, the Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest inflates before you know it, which is in under 60 milliseconds. 

Klim air vest manufacturers recommend giving them this airbag vest after three deployments which no one is offering in their airbag right now.

Additionally, don’t stress about changing the air canister; anyone can change the canister within a few minutes. 

Pros: 

• Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest comes with smart sensors which inflate the vest within 60 milliseconds. 
• Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest is fully compatible with Android and IOS devices. 
• You can charge the Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest within three hours. 

Cons:: 

•  You’ve to register yourself on the “My In&Box” mobile application to operate, and without registering on the application, this airbag will be non-operational. 
• Extra charge applies when you register yourself on the mobile application. But the membership comes with additional benefits. 

Where to Buy: 

Check the latest price of the Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest on Revzilla by clicking here.

Frequetly Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

Are motorcycle airbags reusable?  Yes, after using and spending the gas canister, you can use the motorcycle airbags again. And it’s way cheaper than buying a new motorcycle airbag every time. 

I personally recommend the Alpinster T-missile Air Jacket for hot weather and the Klim Ai-1 Airbag vest to wear under your motorcycle jacket. Both airbags are good, and it’s the ball is in your court which one you’ll choose.

Please don’t forget to wear a motorcycle helmet, suitable rider pants, and believe me this is what moves the needle for your safety.