Would this be counter productive? (back protectors)

**aderino4** · 17th February 2013, 20:44

Nothing wrong with foam. They do a good job to disperse the force of impact. Hard armour is good for abrasion i.e extra layer as your jacket is worn by the road. Especially useful when you're not wearing leather

**Maha** · 17th February 2013, 21:03

Originally Posted by FJRider

There are a few strap-on kidney belts that stop your internals rattling around ... and provides a bit of padding too. One with a good fit would provide a degree of comfort too. (before and after you fall off)

Thats all I use...when I can remember to put it on that is.

**Hitcher** · 17th February 2013, 21:13

I've never been able to see the point of a back protector. How much use it's going to be is going to be determined by the nature of the impact experienced.

Most people who come off are going to slide. A back protector may have some benefit spreading impact forces but again I can't see how it's going to do that all that well.

I'd put a back protector in the same category as knee sliders, chest protectors and fluoro vests.

And as for people who wear back protectors and back packs, I just don't get that at all. Actually I don't get the wearing of back packs, with or without a backpack.

**steve_t** · 17th February 2013, 21:34

The best back protector is the one you'll actually use. I have a Knox Aegis back protector and consider it to be the best there is (not quite as much force reduction as the Sub4 but the Sub4 is about an inch thick!) HOWEVER I do find that I don't use it every time I ride. Obviously, it doesn't do me any good sitting at home. If you think you'll use it all the time, grab a separate one. The Alpinestars insert, while offering Level 2 protection, doesn't give any protection anywhere near your shoulder blades (scapulae)

Edit: Oh, and no, you wouldn't use both at the same time

**HenryDorsetCase** · 17th February 2013, 21:42

Originally Posted by bosslady

I bought an alpinestars back protector insert to match my jacket and was OK with that but some recent events made me think I should get one of those ones that strap around you etc. Could I use both since I already have the insert? Or would it be counter productive?

it would entirely depend how comfortable it was. Try it and see. I really like the Knox back protector I have. I wear a backpack if commuting and I can imagine that two back protectors plus that would not be comfortable.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 17th February 2013, 21:47

Originally Posted by aderino4

chest protector is the in thing at the moment.. If you are thinking of getting additional back protector; you may as well get something like this
http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/sty...rprotvest.aspx

One of the most common injury in a motorcycle accident is broken collar bone caused by the helmet/ other objects hitting it; chest protector will help.

I read an interesting article about that: when we were designed by the Flying Spaghetti monster, in his noodly wisdom he made the collarbone into a sort of fuse: When you puny humans fall you put your hands out by reflex. that can transfer shock straight up your arm into your shoulder and potentiall into your neck and spine. Not so good. So the clavicle is a fusible link which breaks rather than your neck. R'amen!

**GrayWolf** · 17th February 2013, 22:40

Originally Posted by bosslady

. If that happens to be the case id probably just end up using the strap on (minds out of the gutter!) I just didn't want to use two and have one affect the ability of the other to do its job proper.

get our minds out the gutter?? Thing is YOURS went there as you were typing it....
Doi you have something you want to tell us all?? Is the nic BOSSlady a Freudian hint?

**GrayWolf** · 17th February 2013, 22:44

Originally Posted by tigertim20

at 90 km an hour, or even 50, there can be a high risk of spinal injury, jesus, most paramedics treat basic falls from 1 metre as potential spinal injuries, it isnt about how far or hard you fall, rather HOW you fall.

that aside, I have a strap around type one, and it is comfortable and feels quite sturdy, I havent yet tested the current one I have, and hope not to, but they are the ones that I prefer over the insert ones, I dont really see a need for both, but no reason you can't if you want to, and it doesn't restrict your mobility too much.

I would buy a strap around one and just use that, my $0.02

Back protectors will help in absorbing the impact of a direct impact, but bear in mind, a high percentage of Motorcycle spinal injuries are from ROTATIONAL snapping, as well as impact.

**Edbear** · 17th February 2013, 22:52

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

Back protectors will help in absorbing the impact of a direct impact, but bear in mind, a high percentage of Motorcycle spinal injuries are from ROTATIONAL snapping, as well as impact.

Sounds awfully painful! I just crushed vertebrae and that hurt like the proverbial. The thread about hitting the sheep showed how effective his back protector was.

**Gremlin** · 17th February 2013, 22:56

I wouldn't imagine that wearing two at once is going to be very comfortable (and the extra bulk of having both). I have a Knox back insert for my jacket, and will use it for more simple roles, like moto marshalling and other lower speed stuff.

For country rides etc, the insert comes out and I wear a Knox Aegis and a chest protector (which straps into the back protector straps) and nothing in the back of the jacket. I've had it a while and now the back protector is nicely curved to me and quite comfortable.

**nzspokes** · 18th February 2013, 05:20

In my partners crash at about 80kph her back protector was heavily damaged. She cracked L5 but not badly. I often wonder what the outcome would have been without the back protector.

I now wear one all the time.

**madandy** · 18th February 2013, 05:36

I bought a strap on(over the shoulders and around the waist) back protector a fe years ago when someone on here cashed and slid under the rear of a car, hitting the tow bar. I camt remember if they wore a back protector and it prevented serious injury or stated that it would have of one was worn but it was enough for me to put one on every time I ride out of town. Mine fits snugly beneath my leather jacket when the thermal liner is in and in summer the foam insert goes in when the thermal comes out.

**nerrrd** · 18th February 2013, 07:45

Not sure if this really qualifies as a "back protector" but it could be worn on top of other stuff.

http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/r...bag-vests.aspx

Expensive, though. Also wouldn't have a clue how effective it would be...

**bluninja** · 18th February 2013, 08:39

Originally Posted by aderino4

chest protector is the in thing at the moment.. If you are thinking of getting additional back protector; you may as well get something like this
http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/sty...rprotvest.aspx

One of the most common injury in a motorcycle accident is broken collar bone caused by the helmet/ other objects hitting it; chest protector will help.

Really? Not disputing that collarbone fractures are a common injury. However, most are caused by indirect force when you stick your arm out to break your fall.