If you are in an accident, the fastest the airbags are triggered, the better. The whole idea of the necessity to deploy such protective gear is to ensure the survival of the rider. That’s why you surely want to know how fast the air cushion inflates.
That, of course, differs from one model to another. When the impact occurs, the sensors trigger the mechanism that pumps the air into a cushion. The cushion will protect your spine, neck, and shoulders from significant injuries, as much as possible.
This usually happens in less than one second. Some models are designed to trigger the mechanism in 0.1 seconds, which is pretty amazing. For the regular rider, the effect will appear instantaneous, which is what matters for your safety. In the moment of the impact, you need the best protection you can get. Most models are close to one another in terms of inflation time, so you should be good with any you choose, as long as it’s made by a good company.