Ixon IX-Airbag U05 – next level airbag protection

Ixon set the bar in personal protection for motorcyclists with their IX-Airbag U03 independent airbag system. Now, they’ve raised it with the IX-Airbag U05. Suitable for track and adventure motorcyclists, as well as road riders, the IX-Airbag U05 is now available in Australia.

Designed to be worn under normal riding gear, the IX-Airbag U05 works without separate cables or sensors, offering unequalled protection and ease of use.

To suit the different requirements of track and adventure riding, Ixon have re-engineered their airbag safety system with the IX-Airbag U05 - and re-designed the garment that holds it. New technology and improvements have come from Ixon’s riders in MotoGP that include Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, as well as more than 100 million kms of data.

Ixon IX-Airbag U05 Key Features

• Specific algorithms for road, track and adventure riding
• Airbag protects chest, neck, shoulders, back and ribs (more than IX-Airbag U03)
• Airbag inflates in 0.055 seconds
• Up to five inflations before inspection (two more than IX-Airbag U03)
• Hard Mesh and stretch Ripstop outer construction
• Airflow Channel 3D Mesh inner for maximum ventilation
• Available in unisex XS-2XL sizes

Airbag Improvements

The In&box detection unit in the IX-Airbag U05 includes three different fall detection modes. Each has been engineered by In&motion, using specific algorithms to suit falls that are common to road, race and adventure riding. Six sensors in the In&box IMU measure rider movement in real time, conducting more than 1,000 analyses every second.

Using the My In&box app, riders can choose a mode (Road, Racing or Adventure) to optimise airbag sensitivity and performance for the riding they’re doing. 

Improvements with the In&motion Performance airbag include shoulder and rib protection (that isn’t on the IX-Airbag U03), in addition to chest, neck and back protection. As such, the IX-Airbag U05 is approved for FIM-sanctioned road racing. With the optional Racing Pack, it’s also approved for FIM motocross competition.

IX U05 protection areas

With the next-generation In&motion Performance inflatable airbag, reaction time - including detection of an imminent impact and airbag inflation – is 0.055 seconds. This is the same as the U03, but to suit the more likely occurrence of lower speed falls when adventure riding, pressure maintenance time in the IX-Airbag U05 is cut from 20 seconds to 5 seconds, with deflation time cut from approximately 3 minutes to 1 minute. The inflator can be DIY replaced in 5 minutes.

Additionally, the IX-Airbag U05 allows for five inflations – two more than the IX-Airbag U03 - before factory inspection of the detection unit is required.

Charge Time and Activation

When fully charged, the In&box detection unit in the IX-Airbag U05 offers 30 hours’ riding time, with recharge in 2 hours. As with the IX-Airbag U03, activation of the detection unit only comes upon purchase or subscription through In&motion. This is a separate cost to the IX-Airbag U05 garment, but saves money by allowing the unit to be inactive for periods when you’re not riding.

In&motion offers two payment options: ‘In&Box Revolution’ for a 12 Euro per month or 120 Euro per year (AU$20 and AU$200 approx.) subscription; or ‘In&Box Classic’ at 400 Euros (AU$665 approx.), which equates to outright purchase of the In&Box unit.

Garment Improvements

For the IX-Airbag U05, the garment has changed from the U03’s vest to a t-shirt cut, with a fishtail back to suit the crouch position common in road racing. The outer uses a combination of Hard Mesh on the front and back, and ST4 stretch ripstop material on the sides.

For the inner lining, Ixon’s Airflow Channel technology makes its debut, using 3D Mesh channels to guide airflow over the back and chest, ensuring maximum ventilation and body cooling without impacting airbag performance and safety.

Even with the additional material, the IX-Airbag U05 remains light and comfortable, with foam back padding that’s 15 per cent lighter than the IX-Airbag U03.

IX Connect for One-Piece Leathers

To ensure the torso and sleeves of the IX-Airbag U05 don’t ride up when putting on one-piece leathers, Ixon include an IX-Connect kit that works with the garment’s loops and rear zip.

Arm straps in the kit are threaded through the sleeve loops and held in place by the middle fingers. These straps can be removed once leathers are on. The crotch strap, with a zip at the back and loop and press stud attachment at the front, can also be removed (with assistance) or left in place once leathers are on.

Click HERE to see how to use the IX-Connect kit.

Extras for Racing and Adventure

To suit off-road competition and touring, Ixon offer two option packs that are exclusive to the IX-Airbag U05 – the Racing Pack and Adventure Pack.

The Racing Pack consists of additional front torso protection, fitted over the airbag. Made from the same Hard Mesh and ST4 Ripstop material as the IX-Airbag U05, the Racing Pack holds two CE-certified chest protectors.

To suit long-distance off-road riding, the Adventure Pack is a hydration bladder holder that connects to the rear of the IX-Airbag U05. Designed to hold a bladder (not included) of up to 2 litre capacity, the Adventure Pack is also made from the same Hard Mesh and ST4 Ripstop material. Inner mesh pockets securely hold a bladder, while elastics on the top straps hold and guide a hose.

Both packs use a combination of straps and Velcro tabs to attach to the main garment.

Now Available

Finished in black and orange, and available in XS-2XL unisex sizes, the IX-Airbag U05 is now available from more than 60 Ixon stockists Australia-wide.

The IX-Airbag U05 retails for $949.99 RRP (plus In&motion subscription).

To find your nearest Ixon stockist, click HERE.

For more on the Ixon IX-Airbag U05, click HERE.