FWIW - in the end I went with RST and their 4.2 2023 airbag suit. This uses the In&Motion Airbag as before.
Just before Christmas I visited their Race Department and got to try on a couple of different suits. I ended up with a size 45, which they do not sell to via retail outlets. The only adjustments were to shorten the arm length for my t-rex physique.
Once that was complete it was onto the design dept. They ask you to bring ideas etc. I took pictures of my current gear/helmets/boots etc. I'd gone in thinking to keep things relatively low key, blue, grey & black. And what I absolutely wasn't doing was being a **** in a full on BMW branded design. So I obviously ended up with a full on BMW design, ffs, face palm etc but it's still fairly basic. Anyway Zosia in the design team was great to work with as we iterated through ideas both mine and hers. From memory there were about 3 levels of leather, full cow, part kangaroo, full kangaroo...I went with part & part. The super trick printed designs are like the racers have are more ???'s than just the colourised material. I did want the camo style but decided that for the first suit I would keep it simple. See the printing examples PDF for more.
Printing Examples
We got down to brass tacks and the bill was hefty. But still better than Dainese or A-Stars.
~?1700. With a pair of their Race Dept only Kangaroo leather gloves and a spare canister.
This is when I learned why an ACU license would be a benefit. A) the price would have been at least 20% less. B) I could have had the airbag solution which deflates (without intervention). The model I have will stay inflated until you take the canister out as far as I can tell...so you'll wanna get it unzipped soon to breathe!
It was delivered late January early Feb and I finally wore it over the past weekend.
https://s1000rrforum.co.uk/showthread.php?18472-The-new-hotness&p=179247&viewfull=1#post179247 it was very comfortable for all 360+ miles and it was great to not need to wear additional armour vests. The airbag is over the chest as well as the back and shoulders. I was a lot cooler in the baking sun and could feel the breeze whilst traveling at speed. Obviously its for summer use not the cold - we got lucky over the bank holiday.
Worst points: The shoulder armour hurts a bit when stood in the suit...but it's ok when in the riding position. The shin armour digs in a little (I am a delicate soul), it wouldn't if it was longer, but it ends where the boots go so I get why it's like that I'd just like it to flex a little outwards. Solution is to wear longer socks with padding like touring ones.
Overall a decent experience and would go back, but the best bit is, now they have measured me, I don't have to...we can do it all online.
Pics after the break...
