Very interesting video on body armour

[SaferRides]

https://youtu.be/nINIJ1cAbYM?si=NU3t19JGjlueNg_4

Do look at the comments!

[onearmedbandit]

I didn't think it was interesting as such, putting my cynical hat on I felt it was more about audience engagement to keep the algorithm fed. I'll keep wearing my armour.

Here's a good response video from people in the know.

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[F5 Dave]

I've done a bit of testing on the track (you dont race near 30 years without being delivered to the earth at lots of angles) and can say anecdotally, that the more and better armour I've used as time went on, made crashing more comfortable.

Yes would agree about clickbait controversy. I do like his production. But his conclusions are often for shock and he's made some mistakes over the years. (Check out various debunks of his 270degree crank show for instance.

His cynicism over minimum standards vs cost are possibly worthy.

Make sure your armour is thick and from reputable brand. Then that it is fitted to something sturdy that won't just roll it out of the way in a violent crash like many textiles likely will .
And this alone may alter statistics.

Sometimes ground impact is a gentle slide. Sometimes it's, well, violent.

[SaferRides]

I will have a look at the references before making any comments, except to note that the people who crash and are uninjured don't generally make it into the statistics.

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[HenryDorsetCase]

https://youtu.be/nINIJ1cAbYM?si=NU3t19JGjlueNg_4

Do look at the comments!

I have watched that and if comfort is the argument then answer is "buy better gear" not "you'll be fine. I was interested in the stats quoted and thought "I must do some more research into that" but haven't

[rastuscat]

Armour is about more than impact resistance. It multiplies abrasion resistance too.

Your Draggin jeans are great at abrasion, but are even better at abrasion with armour.

[nerrrd]

Seems perfectly reasonable to me. Gear is already a compromise anyway between comfort and protection (and affordability).

Having said that, I choose not to remove it from my (cheap) gear. But I don't think I ever thought it'd do much to stop me breaking something.

Hmmm, that airbag backpack is available locally for $1500 or so (https://www.helite-oceania.com/product/h-moov-helite-airbag-electronic/)...you wouldn't want to leave it at the counter in a shop.

[F5 Dave]

My Apinestars vest covers upper shoulders as well and was like $1300 at the time. Not for everyone in justified expenditure, but I've spent enough time sleeping in chairs to justify it, and that's landing on racetracks not curbs or cars.

Hopefully they'll bring out a practicable one for trail use. Getting closer.

[SaferRides]

I have watched that and if comfort is the argument then answer is "buy better gear" not "you'll be fine. I was interested in the stats quoted and thought "I must do some more research into that" but haven'tOf course, armour is no use if you don't land on it when you crash. One of my jackets has pockets in the lining for the armour which allow the shoulder pads to move so far that they do not cover the shoulders Whereas the Italian branded jacket has the armour fixed in place under plastic shoulder caps.

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[nerrrd]

I think some of the (more expensive) manufacturers like Aerostich have much bigger armour pads, which would make a lot more sense, since I imagine that it will almost always move (especially in textile suits) in a crash.

Hence his point that the industry at large is working to the minimum standards possible.

[Gremlin]

For many brands, it's the armour that's CE rated, very few have the garment rated to a CE level (the likes of Rukka do).

Having errm, bounced... a few times, no thanks, I've had some reasonable knocks and slides, and the mechanism of having a meeting with the ground can vary wildly - I've known people to come off the back of a bike doing a wheelie at 200kph and slide to a stop, while someone else tumbles into the field at 70kph and breaks multiple bones.

I've been wearing my Knox back and chest protector combo for probably a decade and a half. There has been several instances of going down, and walking away from the incident, no police/ambo in attendance (to reference no stats on no injury since no assistance is required).

The way I see it, if you're lying broken in a ditch, and someone walks up and says, $5k and you can get up and walk away? Would you take the deal? Well, wear that gear, I've often been wearing $5k+ of gear.

[HenryDorsetCase]

My Apinestars vest covers upper shoulders as well and was like $1300 at the time. Not for everyone in justified expenditure, but I've spent enough time sleeping in chairs to justify it, and that's landing on racetracks not curbs or cars.

Hopefully they'll bring out a practicable one for trail use. Getting closer.

Here you go:

https://www.alpinestars.com/products/tech-air-off-road-system

I reckon its the complete upper body system because it has the elbow pads as well. I am still dithering about it but it seems like a good solution. (it has a street mode for ADV use). Hell they use it in offroad rally races.

so yeah, current thinking.

[F5 Dave]

Hmm. Thanks for posting, that wasn't available with an Enduro mode last time I looked. By the time I can hopefully dirtbike ride again there should be enough proper reviews.

Rally is comparatively simple, Enduro environment is more complex. You don't want to abort a hill climb jump off and set it off. But that's another story. Glad to see owner gas canisters. Have to see what they are worth each.

Did a Otaki ride few years back. Started to drizzle. Heck we'll get one more lap in before it gets proper wet. Easy through the grass, a little water makes it frictionless. Down a hill still a bit grassy. Front wheel goes, rear in mini rut.

Boof.

Winded, tries shoulder. Hooray! Collarbone not broken (2 times previously that side). Ooh. Despite Leatt full kit I think my elbow has driven into my ribs. 5 broken (again) . Cue very uncomfortable ride tiptoe down steep trail to a road.

Ring ring. Hi dear, the lads will be dropping me back in a while, but I might need help to get in the shower. .
More time sleeping in a chair -couldn't lie down.
Yes dear. Oddly this is what we do for fun.

And yes if someone had said, pay xx amount and you can walk away. . . I had plenty of time in the chair to ponder that hypothetical question.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yep. I fell off my mountainbike now 7 weeks ago, and tonight at pilates was the first time since that I have had full range of motion and no pain doing anything involving front lying or side lying (on the right). "All" I did was bruise the intercostal (sp?) muscles between my ribs - no breaks or cracks but fucking sore and take ages to come right. I have bought a set of Leatt body armour for next summer. I feel like such a poseur now because my mountainbike gear involves knee and elbow pads, a fullface helmet and now body armour. And I am an elderly muppet wobbler. Who can't afford to have six weeks off work healing fractures......

[Kickaha]

. Easy through the grass, a little water makes it frictionless. Down a hill still a bit grassy. Front wheel goes, rear in mini rut.

Boof.

Winded, tries shoulder. Hooray! Collarbone not broken (2 times previously that side). Ooh. Despite Leatt full kit I think my elbow has driven into my ribs. 5 broken (again) . Cue very uncomfortable ride tiptoe down steep trail to a road.

That scenario is what put me in my ICU and on a ventilator and some titanium bits holding my ribcage together in 2018, wearing full armour but ribcage severely damaged due to the arm being driven into my side

I've actually just been looking at Leatt 6.5 as it has flank protection

[F5 Dave]

I have the 5.5 which was top back when I bought it. It has some flank protection but weirdly is a bit 'ridgey'. I've now bought some Gshock armoured shirt to go under it.

[Kb2020dope]

I've been riding almost 10 years and I've never been in a position where I have wished I had body armour!

It comes down to skill. You can safely ride at speed with practise and skill. My ride keeps me safe.

[SaferRides]

For those of us who are mere mortals, it comes in useful occasionally.

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[caseye]

I've been riding almost 10 years and I've never been in a position where I have wished I had body armour!

It comes down to skill. You can safely ride at speed with practise and skill. My ride keeps me safe.

Humm? think I'll sit this one out!:corn::violin:

[pete376403]

I have been riding (and racing speedway solos) for many years and I cant think of an occasion where my crash helmet has prevented head injury, therefore by this logic I shouldn't wear one.

[F5 Dave]

Just ignore him, he's just trolling because he's sad.

[husaberg]

Just ignore him, he's just trolling because he's sad.
isn't it weird him and "Dean" turn up at the exact same time.

[F5 Dave]

No not really. It's clearly obvious.

Probably thinks he's funny and people just excuse themselves when they see him. :tugger:

[Kb2020dope]

I have been riding (and racing speedway solos) for many years and I cant think of an occasion where my crash helmet has prevented head injury, therefore by this logic I shouldn't wear one.

Hey Pete,

Alright you've got me there. 100% agree with your helmet comment. I've never raced on a track, if I did I would definitely want armour.

I guess for me it's different, I love to open it up on the open road when it is safe and my ride is quite safe.

Cheers

[Kb2020dope]

Just ignore him, he's just trolling because he's sad.

How have you been david?

[Berries]

I guess you have to be trying pretty hard to fall off a trike.

I did it when I was seven.

[Kb2020dope]

I guess you have to be trying pretty hard to fall off a trike.

I did it when I was seven.

Firstly, I'm sorry about your accident and wish you all the best on your journey. Secondly, as you know you can have major accidents in many different motor vehicles. These motor vehicles may include but are not limited to cars, trucks, trikes, buses and potentially quad bikes.

I'm not trying to make you look bad mate, just defending myself. If you wanna talk about it please feel free to private message me