Show summary Hide summary
Dainese says it plans to make airbag protection more accessible to everyday riders with a new, lower-cost vest called the Smart Go. The product, priced from £329 ready to use, was officially unveiled on October 15 after an August preview at the Misano World Circuit.
What Dainese is offering
The Smart Go is a lightweight airbag vest designed for road riders and commuters. Dainese positions it as a simple, subscription-free alternative to existing systems, and the company says it meets the highest Level Two chest and back criteria under EN 1621-4, eliminating the need for an extra back protector.
Company CEO Angel Sanchez, who took over in late 2023, told MCN the goal was clear: “We set out clearly what we wanted to have, and that was an affordable everyday use airbag.” Development reportedly involved the brand’s founder, Lino Dainese, and three patents are cited for the product’s new technologies.
MotoGP previews the Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Fisher edges Drane by 0.009 seconds to win Caterpillar Springfield Mile II finale
How the system works
The vest uses a six-axis measurement unit to detect a rider’s position relative to their motorcycle. When paired via Bluetooth with Dainese’s D-air mobile app, the system monitors activity and can be told when the user is no longer riding.
Power can come from a small optional power bank or directly from a smartphone through an integrated USB-C cable stored in the vest’s internal left pocket — a convenience Dainese points out fits many modern phones. The device is rated for up to three inflations before replacement is recommended.
- Price (ready to use): £329
- Weight: 780 grams
- Optional power bank: £35 — up to 72 hours between charges
- Replacement gas canister: £59, user-swappable at home
Design and extras
The Smart Go can be worn either beneath or over a riding jacket. Riders can add an optional 15-litre backpack attachment that Dainese describes as water-resistant and fitted with an internal laptop pocket for commuters. The pack clips on with magnets and the vest folds small enough to fit under a scooter seat or inside a motorcycle top box.
Dainese emphasizes reduced weight and simpler production to hit cost targets. Massimo Varese, the company’s chief of research and development, said the team focused on three priorities — weight, cost, and usability — and adapted the control “brain” from earlier Smart Air technology to manage deployment logic.
Safety, usability and maintenance
Dainese states the Smart Go achieves Level Two protection for chest and back. The set-up avoids recurring subscription fees and is intended for routine use, with canisters that customers can replace themselves. The company also highlights the vest’s compactness and ease of wearing as part of a push to increase everyday adoption.
The MCN view
MCN describes the Smart Go as a potentially important development for wider airbag uptake. High prices and service subscriptions have deterred many riders in the past, so a highly rated, lower-cost option without monthly fees could persuade more motorcyclists to try wearable airbag protection.
