Motorcycling is more fun in the summer when it's nice and warm than in the cold and in the rain in the winter. But when the weather gets involved and the temperature becomes difficult to bear, both when it's hot and cold, you sometimes have to opt for additional equipment.
Recently, RS Taichi, a Japanese manufacturer, presented a liquid cooling system for the rider. The Toulouse start-up Chill Ride goes even further by offering thermoregulated clothing which can both act as an air conditioner in summer and a heater in winter.
Worn under any jacket or motorcycle jacket, the device goes further than a simple sleeveless vest since it includes an active cooling system and a pump to circulate the coolant through the vest, which is reminiscent of the liquid cooling system that equips most of our modern motorcycles. It is thus possible to maintain the vest at the desired temperature, in order to cool down in summer to 18°C but also to warm up in winter to a temperature of up to 38°C.
Integrated into the front mudguard, the active cooling system uses the flow of air arriving in front of the moving motorcycle to cool the fluid in the vest. Users then control the temperature of the device via a control module attached to the handlebars.
Regarding energy for cooling and heating functions, the vest Chill Ride draws directly from the motorcycle's electrical system. Of course, the vest taps into the electrical source to warm the rider and bypasses the radiator and liquid cooling in heating mode. Riders will also need to connect the vest to the handlebar-mounted control unit during each ride. Obviously, the hydraulic attachment automatically detaches in the event of a fall. Its designers also ensure that the coolant, composed of water and certain additives, presents no risk. However, it will sometimes be necessary to refuel.
Scheduled for summer 2022, the thermoregulated vest Chill Ride is available today for pre-sale through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter which will finance the design and industrialization phases. It is therefore possible to reserve your vest which will be sold at a price of €649.
Photos: Chill Ride
