Airbag jackets - more affordable

[Hot_Air]

RST has a new jacket, the Axiom, which costs £280* including an integrated InMotion airbag. Usually, doesn’t the InMotion airbag on its own cost more than this? Either way, I applaud RST for making this technology more within reach.

* As usual, the InMotion airbag also requires a monthly subscription.

[weeksy]

It's not very pretty

[Hot_Air]

If you want pretty, the Dainese D-Air Carve Master 2 is an airbag jacket with Italian style, and you’ll only have to sell one of your kidneys to afford it.

But if you’re as handsome as me, you can carry off this RST and look dashing

[Bigyin]

If you want pretty, the Dainese D-Air Carve Master 2 is an airbag jacket with Italian style, and you’ll only have to sell one of your kidneys to afford it.

But if you’re as handsome as me, you can carry off this RST and look dashing

I have the non airbag Carve Master 2 Goretex which i bought 2 and a half years ago ....they now retail £100 above what i paid then .... add another 400 or so for the airbag version and 700 if you buy from Dainese direct

[Whysub]

You need membership to In&motion if you buy the RST Axiom at £120 a year extra. Doesn't say what happens if the air is discharged either. Does the jacket need sending away? How much does it cost to repair? How long does this process take? Veey light on details.

The Helite seems better value which just fits over your normal jacket and can be re-activated easily. Would be even better if the ***** at HMRC didn't charge VAT on them.

[Bigyin]

The Helite seems better value which just fits over your normal jacket and can be re-activated easily. Would be even better if the ***** at HMRC didn't charge VAT on them.

I suppose the one good thing about being self employed in the bike industry is if i bought one its offset on my tax bill as PPE

[Whysub]

Could not get them VAT free for work. Not viewed as PPE like a crash helmet for VAT exemption.

[Bigyin]

Could not get them VAT free for work. Not viewed as PPE like a crash helmet for VAT exemption.

Probably different for me as self employed ....... anything i need for work is regarded as tools of the trade so offset against tax bill as i am a small business and dont claim VAT exemption

At least thats what the accountant tells me .... when i might need to pay tax he tells me to buy some bike stuff so that the money goes to shiny new kit instead of the tax man

[Whysub]

We needed 17 for work, so that was an extra £1,700 in VAT. A colleague and I spoke to the Helite director at the Emergency Sevices Show 3 years ago, and he said if we could get the VAT element removed, he would give us some free.

We never could, despite who we worked for......

[Hot_Air]

Why doesn't HMRC view airbags as PPE for VAT exemption (like crash helmets)?

I have the non airbag Carve Master 2 Goretex which i bought 2 and a half years ago ....they now retail £100 above what i paid then .... add another 400 or so for the airbag version and 700 if you buy from Dainese direct

Demon Tweeks was selling the D-Air version of the Carve Master 2 GoreTex for £707.99, which beat FC-Moto's price for this jacket. Also, Bikestop was selling it for a great price, but it's back up to over £800 currently. The pricing's a bit salty for many of us, but it looks like an excellent jacket if you can afford it.

Usually, I wait for the end-of-season sales. But the D-Air version of the Carve Master 2 GoreTex looks like it will be sold out soon.

[Skub]

I've a big mate who looks like his airbag has gone off,even when he's wearing a T-shirt.

[Whysub]

Why doesn't HMRC view airbags as PPE for VAT exemption (like crash helmets)?

Exactly. It is not like you can wear the airbag jackets as a casual jacket down the pub. HMRC seem to be clueless when it comes to zero rating PPE/safety products for riders (also applicable to horse riders for helmets and airbag vests).

This is all I can find on their website in relation to VAT on motorcycle equipment.
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manual ... -equipment

[JackyJoll]

Why doesn't HMRC view airbags as PPE for VAT exemption ...?

Because they want money.

[Hot_Air]

Could not get them VAT free for work. Not viewed as PPE like a crash helmet for VAT exemption.

The IAM agrees with your issue and wants airbags viewed as PPE, like crash helmets: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/media-poli ... n=vatonppe

[MrLongbeard]

Could not get them VAT free for work. Not viewed as PPE like a crash helmet for VAT exemption.

The IAM agrees with your issue and wants airbags viewed as PPE, like crash helmets: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/media-poli ... n=vatonppe

So taxed at the usual PPE rate of 20%, that a genius move.
AFAIK only helmets and boots are 0% rated.

[Hot_Air]

The IAM wants airbag jackets to be zero-rated for VAT, like helmets.

[MrLongbeard]

The IAM wants airbag jackets to be zero-rated for VAT, like helmets.

That's a different fight, they're already classified as PPE

[The Spin Doctor]

The IAM wants airbag jackets to be zero-rated for VAT, like helmets.

Should include all CE-approved kit.