2009 MotoGP Round 10 - Donington Park (Race Spoilers)

[Jester]

I'm guessing he knew he was more likely to crash in the rain...and get up and continue, so he didn't want a suit inflating on him. 

Derby will correct me if I'm wrong though. 

I agree with this statement.  As helpful as the airbag suits may be, they would also hinder the rider in being able to continue a race if they are able to remount.

[Jester]

Check this snip I found from the Times uk.

For some reason, the Donington crowd hates Casey Stoner, even though the Australian has won here for the past two years. So the 2007 world champion decided to give them something proper to boo by being the only rider, along with Ducati team-mate, Nicky Hayden, to choose wet tyres - and circulate around eight seconds a lap slower than everyone else. The pair finished at the back, with Stoner fourteenth and Hayden behind him, both lapped by Dovizioso. That is called dropping a clanger.

[superjohn]

I agree with this statement.  As helpful as the airbag suits may be, they would also hinder the rider in being able to continue a race if they are able to remount.

Couldn't be that a website could be full of shit? That's the point I was getting at. I'll believe it when I see the stories in some of the more mainstream press.

[kopfjäger]

I agree with this statement.  As helpful as the airbag suits may be, they would also hinder the rider in being able to continue a race if they are able to remount.

Dainese airbag suit for 2010

[DanTheMan]

From the video, it looks useless. I was expecting more chest protection. That just looks like collerbone and neck but if your going feet first, it slides out of the way?

[OT]

Safer?

Don't most crashes happen in the corners? The 800's carry way more corner speed than the 990's. Imo traction control is the biggest contributer to safety not displacement and they're talking about making it illegal, go figure.

[off topic] Sorry - I meant "safer" as in fewer racers getting maimed and killed in motorsports for a host of reasons.

[Desmostro]

I'm guessing he knew he was more likely to crash in the rain...and get up and continue, so he didn't want a suit inflating on him. 

Derby will correct me if I'm wrong though. 

If you look closely in the race video - I thought I saw Rossi, while loosing the back end - instead of trying to save it and high side, he turned the bars exaggerating the low side and just put it down. I suppose I'm assuming that was on purpose once he starting loosing the back end. Then he was able to get back on & finish the race in the top 5. That foocker is quite the master. Ok "perfect" is not crashing, but if you're going to I mean... Shmart.

[gm2]

From the video, it looks useless. I was expecting more chest protection. That just looks like collerbone and neck but if your going feet first, it slides out of the way?

neck and collarbone protection is useless??

[Pakhan]

I agree with this statement.  As helpful as the airbag suits may be, they would also hinder the rider in being able to continue a race if they are able to remount.

Watch the video, the airbag pops off with the pull of some string.

[Jester]

Yeah, saw that, pretty nifty.

[DanTheMan]

neck and collarbone protection is useless??

no but the way its secured looks like it'll move out of the intended position.

[Desmostro]

And now I'd like to see the "high-side" video please. 

It seems like the neck is the most vulnerable place on a cyclist in full gear. I mean look at us. In full armor, naked neck, holding up a 12 pound head plus helmet.
It's crazy.

It looks like it keeps the head/neck from thrashing around in a way that it would break even if the airbag folded up going feet first.

[Desmostro]

PS

I love the hug he gets at the end of the crash in the video.

Rip cord release, rock star pose, B I G hug. 

[kopfjäger]

PS

I love the hug he gets at the end of the crash in the video.

Rip cord release, rock star pose, hug. 

The extra couple of rolls were good as well. 

[Grampa]

The extra couple of rolls were good as well. 

that was to put the flames out