Would this be counter productive? (back protectors)

[p.dath]

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?

Hopefully your back protector is 'CE' certified. There are two classes of back protector. Perhaps start by checking which class yours is made to - if any. Unlike helmets, there is no requirement for a back protector to be made to any standard.

Class '1' limits the impact energy transferred into your back to 16,000 N. Class '2' limits the impact energy transferred into your back to 8,000 N.

It is widely accepted death occurs at anything over 4,000N. Can you spot a problem here?


I an not aware of any back protector standard that specifies any kind of abrasion resistance. Indeed, most are made from some kind of plastic, and will wear quickly. So don't expect a back protector to save the skin on your back during a slide, despite what many might say (mostly track people from my experience).


So on the whole, back protectors do not provide a level of protection that many of their owns think they might. They will not stop you getting a broken back if you have a hard impact to your back.

HOWEVER, back protectors are good for limiting the amount of bruising and minor abrasions to your back from small impacts and hits. I personally feel their value at 50km/h is very limited; at 100Km/h they serve some value; and at a track pace of 200km/h or more they are almost useless. Note - my opinion, and others will disagree, especially track people.


Personally I do have a class '2' back protector. I don't bother with it if I know I am going only on 50km/h urban roads. I do use it if I know I am going on 100km/h roads. I wear it on the track - because the rules say I have to, but I feel wise use of my throttle is a better safety device.

[bosslady]

Thanks but I got one last week. Level 2. Wear it all the time. I never go anywhere where I only go 50kmh and even if I was, tis no hassle to put it on. Cheers

[vifferman]

In the final analysis, how much protection your gear gives or doesn't give you depends so much on the circumstances (physics) of the particular incident. Quoting instances where you or someone wearing no protection crashed at sublight velocity and walked away unscathed, or where someone else wearing all the best gear crashed at walking speed and carked it doesn't prove anything.
My cousin died when he tripped over on the wharf and hit his head. I've collided with cars at around 70km/h twice - once wearing F-all gear, and once wearing pretty good gear, including a jacket with a reasonable built-in back protector. In both cases, the bike was written off, (and in both cases I wasn't at fault, but could have avoided it happening).Of course, neither was planned, but I know which one was the least worst.
I have a decent back protector, but apart from a couple of rides, it's spent its whole life in my cupboard. Maybe I'll wear it next time I ride.... and maybe I'll get hit by a truck and die anyway.

As others have said, choose your own level of risk, protection, whatever. But it fkn hurts when you hit hard things or are hit by hard things. Just don't moan about it.

[Tigadee]

Why is it that in the reviews of back protectors, they just talk and point and talk? They ought to put a sledgehammer to it while the guy is wearing it, or bring in a kick boxer and let him go at it. THEN we know we are buying a good product!

[ducatilover]

Might chime in here.

I wore a back protector many moons ago. It is the reason I can still walk.
I like them.