Ducati announces world 1st production wireless integration with air-bag jackets.

Ducati announces world’s first production motorcycle wirelessly integrated with airbag riding jackets - The Multistrada D-Air®

• Ducati introduces first ever production motorcycle wirelessly integrated with airbag riding jackets
• Italian innovation makes significant contribution to two-wheel safety
• Ducati Multistrada D-Air® model  available in Europe only, from May 2014 onwards

Italy’s iconic motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati, announces the introduction of the Multistrada D-Air® model, featuring a fully integrated, intelligent system of sensors wirelessly connected to Ducati Apparel airbag jackets by Dainese. Marking a ‘world’s first’ in the motorcycle industry and combining the innovative designs from two famous Italian brands, the new Ducati model takes a significant step forward in two-wheel safety. 

Combining the expertise of both Ducati and Dainese, the intelligent passive safety system uses sensors built into the Multistrada’s existing electronics to constantly understand the vehicle’s dynamic situation and deploying only when subjected to a genuine accident scenario. The Multistrada D-Air® system completes the data analysis and airbag deployment inside both the rider and passenger jackets in just 45 milliseconds, considerably reducing the risk of injury upon impact. 

Ducati’s premiere of the technology, developed in cooperation with Dainese, further underlines the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s commitment to enhanced safety, already represented by their Ducati Safety Pack consisting of multi-level ABS and traction control.

More information on the Ducati Multistrada D-Air® will be released on 15 April and the innovative new model will be available in European Ducati Dealerships from May 2014 onwards.

Latest Leather Jackets from Dainese

The 2014 collection from Italian manufacturer Dainese has a host of leather jackets available to suit all styles from sports, casual and vintage. All with Dainese’s signature look, feel and design. 

The Laguna Evo Pelle is a sport inspired jacket made from a combination of Tutu leather and Cordura Comfort fabric. The micro-elastic elasticised inserts located in key points, such as the hips and elbows has allowed Dainese to create a highly technical garment with excellent ergonomics. The jacket can be worn all-year round with large areas of ventilation on the chest and hips; it also has a removable thermal lining. Protection features include removable composite certified CE protectors, a pocket for a type G. back protector and it’s fully CE certified. The Laguna Ev o Pelle is available in white-black, black-red, black-white and black, sizes 44/62, with an RRP of £349.99. There is also a female specific version available in the above colours and sizes 40/54.

The Racing C2 Pelle is an aggressive, sporty, cowhide jacket designed with Dainese’s unmistakable style and finish. The shoulders have co-injected aluminium inserts and composite protection and the jacket has space for a type G. back protector. Comfort, ergonomics and protection are ensured with elasticised inserts on the neck, sleeves and sides, the Racing C2 can also be fastened to trousers. On warmer days the temperature can be controlled with air inlets on the sides and chest. The Racing C2 Pelle is available in black-red, black-white-red, blue-black-red, white-red, red-white and black fluo, sizes 44/60, with an RRP of £374.99.

Moving away from sports inspired jackets the Archivio Pelle is an attractive vintage styled jacket. Taking its name from Dainese’s historical archives, the jacket is finished in dyed leather cowhide giving it a vintage, aged look, but with modern technology solutions such as Pro-Shape soft protectors and the option of fitting a back protector. The jacket features waist and neck adjustment, a jacket-trouser fastening system as well as temperate adjustment. The Archivio Pelle is available in black-basic, black-Guy, black-Ace, black-Ago and black-Seven, sizes 44/60, with an RRP of £477.99.

The popular Stripes Pelle has undergone a redesign for 2014, with the introduction of the Stripes Evo Pelle. The jacket keeps the original distinct vintage look with cowhide leather treated with resin and oil, but has been enhanced adding a removable thermal liner and a new air vent structure on the chest to regulate temperature. The Evo also has removable composite protectors and a jacket-trouser zip fastening system. The Stripes Evo Pelle is available in black, tobacco and black-ghiaccio, sizes 44/60, with an RRP of £419.99. There is also a summer vented option available .  

For more information or to find a local dealer visit www.dainese.com

Dainese continues to support British racers in 2014

Dainese is pleased to announce its continuing support of UK riders in British Superbike, World Superbike and road racing.

In the British Superbike Championship Tommy Bridewell will be flying the Dainese flag in his quest to lift the 2014 BSB trophy. Bridewell will also wear and help with the development of the new D-air Racing Thorax.

D-air Racing Thorax is a development of the original system, which extends to protect the trunk. The entire system has been redesigned to increase the area protected without sacrificing the ergonomics, a crucial aspect for professional riders. The size and geometry of the airbags has changed to extend to ‘hug’ the riders trunk, while a larger capacity gas generator has been introduced to maintain high inflation pressure.

Dainese will also continue in its role as the Official Safety Partner of the British Superbike Championship.

MCE BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs explained:

I am delighted to see that Dainese and Tommy Bridewell have continued their partnership into the 2014 season, which has the foundations for being his biggest opportunity to challenge for the title to date.

In terms of the Championship it is fantastic to see the D-air Thorax system utilised by one of our leading riders as we have been working very closely with our safety partner Dainese on the recent evolution to the D-air system. We have already seen from riders in the MotoGP World Championship classes that the D-air has proved extremely effective and this announcement shows Dainese’s latest commitment to rider safety within the MCE BSB Championship.

Tommy Bridewell, also commented:

It’s very special for me to be associated with Dainese. It was the first suit I wore when I first started racing and I really believe they offer the best protection in the world. The new suits with the D-air system are so technically advanced and I'm very proud to be involved with the development of the new versions with the Thorax and upper body protection. To be part of the same R&D team as Valentino Rossi feels amazing and I’m stoked to be part of this very unique family called Dainese.

In SBK Dainese will again back Tom Sykes, who will be defending his 2013 World Superbike Championship title, and Leon Haslam, who will compete aboard the Pata Honda SBK machine. Both riders will wear Dainese’s D-air Racing suit during the season. 

The Italian brand will also continue its support for road racing stars Guy Martin, Conor Cummins and James Hillier as they tackle the famous 37.5-mile mountain course at the Isle of Man TT, as well as the North West 200, Southern 100 and other road racing events. Dainese will also continue as the TT’s Official Safety Partner.

Aside form the UK contingent; Dainese will still support Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Stefan Bradl, Pol Espargaro and Andrea Iannone in their MotoGP assaults. Supported Moto2 riders include Franco Morbidelli, Luis Salom and Sandro Cortese, and in Moto3 Romano Fenati, Francesco Bagnaia and Niccolo Antonelli will all wear Dainese. 

Like Sykes and Halsam, all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 riders will wear D-air Racing, with the exception of Espargaro, Salom and Fenati who, along with Bridewell, will continue to develop the new D-air Thorax system.

Dainese riders will continue their development role with D-air Racing, while also being protected by the system. Launched on the market three years ago, D-air Racing is a revolutionary airbag system fitted into a leather suit. The airbag works on internal equipment reading the track conditions and recognises when the bike starts to slide. The system is deployed within 45 millieseconds and takes just 10 seconds to deflate. 

To date all Dainese riders who have crashed wearing the D-air Racing system have escaped without neck, shoulder or collar bone injuries.