Would this be counter productive? (back protectors)

[bosslady]

My mum got me an airjackey for xmas

Just waiting for the gas canister to arrive. Seen 3 or 4 riders crash at speedway from nasty looking crashes with the air jackets on and they were back out for the next race. If they can help hitting a wall on those bikes then I trust it to work for most road crashes for me. Plus it covers my back and front. I did have a fox body armour suit which has back protector elbow pads chest pads etc but the sewing on the straps has undone and need to get the to mum so she can work her sewing magic on that (good ol mum eh?).

On a different note, what does anyone use for neck protectors? I wont race my bike without a Leatt brace but haven't even tried it with my road helmet. I'm a fan of not breaking any bones so I might see it it works with my road gear

what's an airjackey?

[The End]

what's an airjackey?

I believe it's one of those fancy jackets that has areas that 'explode' when you crash. If it senses a hard fall, certain areas of the jacket inflate like airbags to cushion your fall.


Or you could just not fall off in the first place

Like this:

[Coldrider]

yep, they cost about 8 hundy. I'd just wrap a blow up doll around my chest and use er as an air fence if distracted.

[The End]

yep, they cost about 8 hundy. I'd just wrap a blow up doll around my chest and use er as an air fence if distracted.

I wonder if 'big' chested women would even need one of those fancy jackets then, seems like a waste of money if you have built in air bags

[haydes55]

what's an airjackey?

That is a surprisingly cute sounding typo

Mine cost about $1200

It's like a lifejacket, put it on like a vest, zip it up and attach a pull cord to the bike. If I become separated from the bike, the pull cord will release gas in the CO2 canister to inflate the vest in a split second. The chest and back inflate simultaneously. The vest itself is made up of about inch thick foam then the air bladder then a fabric layer so after it deflates, you can attach a new canister and reuse it.

[steve_t]

That is a surprisingly cute sounding typo

Mine cost about $1200

It's like a lifejacket, put it on like a vest, zip it up and attach a pull cord to the bike. If I become separated from the bike, the pull cord will release gas in the CO2 canister to inflate the vest in a split second. The chest and back inflate simultaneously. The vest itself is made up of about inch thick foam then the air bladder then a fabric layer so after it deflates, you can attach a new canister and reuse it.

So if you forget to decouple yourself from the bike when you get off, the jacket inflates? I could imagine that happening to me multiple times before learning... and a few times after as well

[haydes55]

So if you forget to decouple yourself from the bike when you get off, the jacket inflates? I could imagine that happening to me multiple times before learning... and a few times after as well

'Twas my first question as well

Fortunately the pull cord takes a bit of force to set it off. You notice the tug before it sets it has enough force to pull it out.

[swbarnett]

Oh? So my spine doesn't need protecting then? Maybe I can flag all my armour then. Helmet too??

Well, that brings up the whole debate surrounding PPE (personal protection equipment). When motorcycles were first invented PPE was not even considered. Each successive generation seems to think that they need more PPE than the one before. When my father was riding in the '50s he wore an army great coat, thin gauntlet gloves for the cold and a pudding-basin helmet (and probably his work shoes and trousers). When I started riding in the '80s a full-face helmet was a given, gloves and boots were optional extras and my first jacket was a PVC rain jacket (I used to wear denim in summer). I came off 6 times in the first two years and the worst I did to myself was a grazed knee. Now we are getting to the point that anything short of full leather and specialised back/chest protector is considered foolhardy. Where will it end?*

The fact of the matter is that we are at risk in anything we do. How we manage that risk is a personal choice. I'm not saying PPE is to be ignored (it is a valid choice for mitigating the concequences of an accident). What I am saying is that the risk is not as high as it's made out to be. In these days of rampant media and the interweb we get a very distorted view of our own personal risk.

If one wants to spend money on risk management it's far more important to invest in training than the nth degree of PPE. A naked rider with their head screwed on is far safer than a fully cotton-wooled rider without a clue.




*There will come a point where there's no more scope for PPE and the only option to increase one's safety will be to not ride.

[bosslady]

Well, that brings up the whole debate surrounding PPE (personal protection equipment). When motorcycles were first invented PPE was not even considered. Each successive generation seems to think that they need more PPE than the one before. When my father was riding in the '50s he wore an army great coat, thin gauntlet gloves for the cold and a pudding-basin helmet (and probably his work shoes and trousers). When I started riding in the '80s a full-face helmet was a given, gloves and boots were optional extras and my first jacket was a PVC rain jacket (I used to wear denim in summer). I came off 6 times in the first two years and the worst I did to myself was a grazed knee. Now we are getting to the point that anything short of full leather and specialised back/chest protector is considered foolhardy. Where will it end?*

The fact of the matter is that we are at risk in anything we do. How we manage that risk is a personal choice. I'm not saying PPE is to be ignored (it is a valid choice for mitigating the concequences of an accident). What I am saying is that the risk is not as high as it's made out to be. In these days of rampant media and the interweb we get a very distorted view of our own personal risk.

If one wants to spend money on risk management it's far more important to invest in training than the nth degree of PPE. A naked rider with their head screwed on is far safer than a fully cotton-wooled rider without a clue.




*There will come a point where there's no more scope for PPE and the only option to increase one's safety will be to not ride.

For what it's worth, what you quoted from me was in response to the comment that basically because I "only" have a ginny, somehow I don't need a back protector and only people who do track days and get their knee on the ground do personal choice I think. Shouldn't matter what bike I have. That was all.

I don't care what other people do, that's their choice and if there is the equipment/gear there and I can get it, then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't, but should never rely on my gear saving me, for sure. I have already spent money when I first started on lessons/instruction and am going to book another course shortly so certainly not getting complacent But if I can have both the gear and the training then I am lucky I think or stupid... and poor eventually too I think

[ckai]

went back and bought this one in the end http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/asbiobprot.aspx from cyclespot Honda $10 cheaper than that link too. Think I will sell my insert to help pay for the new one haha

This may piss you off but this is the one I have, brought from these guys, at this price last year http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=424 (US$24 shipping I believe).

Mine goes all the way down to cover the cox-thingie (can never spell it right) and because of that, I don't wear it all the time. Comfy as hell and when I'm on the track I put it in the same category as a seat belt.

Good on you for getting one. I only have the thin foam padding in my jackets but there's no way in hell I would be able to have a flash insert and a stap-on. Actually I should throw on the old mans jacket which has one and see what it's like.

EDIT: Never mind, I see they're not available anymore which would make you feel better

[bosslady]

This may piss you off but this is the one I have, brought from these guys, at this price last year http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=424 (US$24 shipping I believe).

Mine goes all the way down to cover the cox-thingie (can never spell it right) and because of that, I don't wear it all the time. Comfy as hell and when I'm on the track I put it in the same category as a seat belt.

Good on you for getting one. I only have the thin foam padding in my jackets but there's no way in hell I would be able to have a flash insert and a stap-on. Actually I should throw on the old mans jacket which has one and see what it's like.

EDIT: Never mind, I see they're not available anymore which would make you feel better

Haha it's ok, I don't feel bad anyway. I could have got it overseas but I don't know that there would have been a dramatic price difference when you need to consider IFFFFF you will get stung with customs/gst fees, shipping, plus the the (painful) wait for the stuff to come. BESIDES means I won't get shit from kb'rs for not buying local

[swbarnett]

For what it's worth, what you quoted from me was in response to the comment that basically because I "only" have a ginny, somehow I don't need a back protector and only people who do track days and get their knee on the ground do personal choice I think. Shouldn't matter what bike I have. That was all.

I totally agree.

I don't care what other people do, that's their choice and if there is the equipment/gear there and I can get it, then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't, but should never rely on my gear saving me, for sure. I have already spent money when I first started on lessons/instruction and am going to book another course shortly so certainly not getting complacent But if I can have both the gear and the training then I am lucky I think or stupid... and poor eventually too I think

Ceratinly from what I saw on the recent L's Angels ride the training you've had has paid off. Only a few months on the bike and you're already looking like the big L is only to satisfy the beaurocrats.

My comments were not aimed at you specifically. More a general comment on what seems to be an increase in the cotton-wool mentality of society.

[bosslady]

I totally agree.


Ceratinly from what I saw on the recent L's Angels ride the training you've had has paid off. Only a few months on the bike and you're already looking like the big L is only to satisfy the beaurocrats.

My comments were not aimed at you specifically. More a general comment on what seems to be an increase in the cotton-wool mentality of society.

Lol thanks. Didn't know I was being watched Haha. Still lots to learn though.

[ckai]

Haha it's ok, I don't feel bad anyway. I could have got it overseas but I don't know that there would have been a dramatic price difference when you need to consider IFFFFF you will get stung with customs/gst fees, shipping, plus the the (painful) wait for the stuff to come. BESIDES means I won't get shit from certain kb'rs for not buying local

Fixed it for ya But yeah you don't want to receive the wrath from 'dem gestapo. They can type some serious words

[Banditbandit]

Yeah Yeah .. I've binned it 11 times in my riding career (or is it 12?) ... and apart from the off-road mishaps, I've worn a leathers ... and walked away (well, limped a couple of times) ... including binning it in a sweeping right hander at 110klicks (tank slapper)... hitting two cars (their fault) ... and miscellanious other contacts with the road ...

A good helmet and leathers (gloves, pants, jacket, boots) is all you need ... the rest is marketing strategy handing money to salesmen - or a very good idea for racing ...

Don't get carried away spending money you don't need to ...