| Author | Message | ||
     Lake_bueller |
Now that I'm getting older and somewhat wiser, I've been thinking more about my safety while riding. I currently own somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6 motorcycle jackets. Some have GP armor, some have soft armor, some have no armor at all. The one thing that they all have in common is that NONE of them have a back protector. I've been searching for something that can be worn under my jacket yet still provide some level of comfort. There are a number of different brands and styles on the market. My questions are: 1) Do you wear back protection? 2) How much protection do you really get? Is it bump & bruise protection or broken back protection? 3) Is there any place that has "rated" based on level of protection, comfort, etc.? For the relatively low cost (under $200), I'm seriously thinking of picking something up in the near future. Thanks for your input! | ||
| Henrik |
Lake; most back injuries are to the top of the back and the shoulder blades, so make sure whatever you get will cover those areas. Check here for more back protector and CE testing info than you ever cared to know  And here is RRW's less scientific review of the Bohn and Knox protectors. Also, the spine in itself is pretty well covered against direct hits - but of course a back protector will help protect further. The worst injuries to the spine come as a result of twisting injuries, and no back protector will protect you there. That said, I'd look for CE protection 1621-2 (I believe). That'll provide decent impact protection. I own a couple of protectors from Action Station, but after they twice now have outright lied about CE certification, I'm looking to get rid of both and buy the real thing - and will never purchase anything from them again. Knox make a very nice protector, that has good cover of upper back and shoulder blades (that's the one Action Station shamelessly copied). As all approved back protectors it's a one shot deal, similar to a helmet. You get hit hard, you replace it. Back protectors simply can't pass the CE testing with the standard foam and hard shell design. Hope this helps Henrik | ||
| Court |
The Knox Tour looks like the ticket for my style of riding. I've been using the Aerostich insert but this thread has me thinking.... Well done, tons of info guys! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I have the Joe Rocket Razor suit which includes two layers of back padding. One removable which I have done for riding two up and one permenent. Riding single I will add the removeable. I had a hardshelled armadillo style back pad that came with my Teknic jacket. The only drawback was it blocked the backvents letting heat build up in the jacket rather fast. It too was uncomfortable when riding two up. I do need to replace my Teknic jacket however (exhaust contact at a windy fuel stop.) | ||
| Darthane |
I was going to pick one up to take with me on the Running the Ridge tour. Thanks for the great web resource, Henrik. | ||
| Kaudette |
Dainese - fits into the jacket "pouch" and works nicely. Their gear is top notch and fits very well. I'll look for the model and update the post - cost was about 70$ - the jacket & riding pants already have shoulder, elbow, hip & knee/shin protection. After having ridden in jeans and a leather jacket for years, I have to admit I feel much better wearing the full gear these days - kind of like the feeling of driving with a seatbelt on. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
That second link reads alot like the debate between Snell VS DOT when it comes to helmet safety...Not the design theft/CE issue but the crushable VS non-crushable in the paddign design. | ||
| Bomber |
My Vanson jacket came with (actually, I ordered the optional) armor, which includes a back protactor, which looks a great deal like the Dainese in the RRW piece Henrik gave us a pointer to, rather than the wider Knox and Bohn items -- I have no memory of it's being CE rated (I'll take a look this evening), which also has me thinking . . . .. . (o, no, both Court AND me thinking . . . . that would explain the localized brown-outs) all things being equal, I'd rather have something built into the jacket -- one less thing to remember/forget/deal with One thing I can say for sure, the advances in armor, gloves and boots are taking place at a rapid rate, and state of the art 5 years ago is now an also-ran | ||
| Daves |
Having it built into the jacket/suit is more convienent than a separate one in my opinion too. I've tried a couple "stand alone" back protectors on and they don't seem to comfy. I think the straps would bug the hell out of me on a long ride. PS I just got set up as a Joe Rocket dealer again yesterday(hint,hint)  Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton | ||
| Henrik |
I'm with you, Ken. Before I knew better I'd occasionally ride in just jeans and t-shirt ... ouch!! here is the UK Knox site. Not a great site design, but you'll get the idea. They seem to sell in the US for about $180. But looking through the product links provided in my first link  , there are quite a few nice protectors. I saw the Spice protector last I was in Denmark - looked nice. The T-Pro advantage is the 1621-2 Level 2 certification. And the Spidi Tech series seem to have good shoulder protection also. For track use, I'm still partial to the Knox, just because of the tail bone extension. How much good it'd really do, I don't know. I *do* know however, that the extension is *not* a good idea for street use and more upright riding position - it'll make your butt fall asleep real quick ... not good for a 2k mile trip  Lots of good choices out there, and considering the "cost" of lacking protection, the prices are IMNSHO pretty decent  Henrik | ||
| Henrik |
Built-in is nice, but it's not as if a reasonably creative person couldn't stitch in a few straps to hold a back protector in place  I've used both Vanson built-in and "that other brand" separate protectors, and didn't find any of them to be a bother. What I do like for longer trips is a good belt on the back protector. It seems to work a bit like a kidney belt, which makes a big difference in how tired my back gets. Henrik | ||
| Lake_bueller |
My problem with the built-in protectors is the number of different jackets I own. I'd have to either change out the protector with my choice of jacket or get multiple protectors. Henrik....I also found that first link last night while doing a google search. The more I read, I'm liking the T-Pro Forcefield. It runs about $155 from Johnson Leathers. Other than Action Station, they're the only distrubiter I could find in the US for T-Pro products. | ||
| Spiderman |
Forget back protectors get kidney protectors LOL. I am going to invest in a back protector pretty soon, a local shop here sells one that actually straps to your body then you put your jacket on over it. After tearing half the ligiments behind my shoulder blade I don't thing it could take another direct hit. | ||
| Mikej |
I've got the Dainese one. Only complaint is that the shoulder pads increase the wind resistence noticibly when above 50mph. Reg had one a few years ago that he wore when setting up B'Trax stuff. Forearm, shoulder, chest, and back protector all held together with a stretchy mesh. Fits decent under the jacket, tail bone protector doesn't hit the seat too much to be a real problem. Only real reasons I don't wear it more is the wind resistence and the hassle of putting it on. I think it needs smaller shoulder pads, it's not football sized shoulder pads, but feels like it above the speed limit at times. I think this years safety addition will be pants. | ||
| Henrik |
Lake; thanks for *not* supporting Action Station. Henrik (gets mean when he carries a grudge) | ||
| Cj_xb |
I can't see you as mean Henrik, not in your nature I think !! CJ | ||
| Henrik |
Well, maybe not mean, but grudgy ... I like the features of the T-Pro as well. Henrik | ||
| Bomber |
CJ -- you KNOW all folks of scandanavian parentage are just as nice as pie, doncha? no grudge holding at all (chuckle) bless their hearts | ||
| Bigj |
I wear a Dainese Gilet vest under summer jackets, and an Arlen Ness body armor jacket under winter stuff.  | ||
| Cj_xb |
Bomber, I knew a guy from Sweden, here working for a year, and he was pretty nice, really !! That is of scandanavian parentage isn't it ?? Bless his heart !! CJ | ||
| Bomber |
he was fakin it, CJ . . . .. . . if you doubt it, just leave your cattle or religious artifacts unattended for a minute or two | ||
| Henrik |
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| Cj_xb |
That may be true Bomber I don't know. But they sure do tend to be pretty, ever see those calenders ??!! LOL CJ | ||
| Darthane |
Hey! There are plenty of sexy guys on this side of the pond, too, you know!  I rest my case. Sorry, couldn't resist! You know we love ya.} | ||
| Bomber |
Laughing out loud over here . . . . . . yes'm, CJ, I do know what you mean, . . . . .I'll tell grandpa nelson you think he's a hottie (that'll be me walking off with your reliqies while G'Pa Nelson distracts you with stories of North Sea Daring Do!) | ||
| Cj_xb |
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