Back protectors?

[Jayman]

Hi all, just about to book myself an ART day and need to get a back protector. Looking on trademe and they mostly around $30, which seems too cheap. Looking at shop websites and they seem to start at $200+, which is a mighty jump in price.

I was wondering if anyone knew if the trademe ones were as crap as their price suggests, or if they are actually pretty solid? Beyond that, any other suggestions for what to get?

Thanks in advance!

[SPP]

Hi all, just about to book myself an ART day and need to get a back protector. Looking on trademe and they mostly around $30, which seems too cheap. Looking at shop websites and they seem to start at $200+, which is a mighty jump in price.

I was wondering if anyone knew if the trademe ones were as crap as their price suggests, or if they are actually pretty solid? Beyond that, any other suggestions for what to get?

Thanks in advance!

Made in China to who knows what standard. Might be okay, might be shit.

If you don't wanna spend mega look at the AX Race Shell at T7 for 70 bucks. CE level 1 but at least it's been tested. It's comfortable and doesn't take up a tonne of space in your suit.

The Rjays is another I looked in motomail for 120 bucks. CE level 1 as well.

[Taxythingy]

Thought about writing a cynical Trademe bash, but I won't. See SPP's comment regarding CE certification.

I wear and recommend the Alpinestars track vest. Wear it nearly every day and it fits brilliantly. Haven't crash tested, which is the most important thing, but it is otherwise comfortable, breathable and apparently washable (for those with hygiene requirements). It also doesn't look like it belongs in the rugrat's marine corps or similar.

I paid what I think it's worth to me. My use and risk profile might be different to yours. Open road commute, all weather. Two kids (1 kid and 1 brat tonight). Intention of paying more in ACC levies than I end up using.

[Gremlin]

My back protector is CE2 from memory, and cost more like $360. Then add in the chest protector and it's more like $500 all up. So $200 ain't too bad and I'm hardly ever on a race track.

Biggest thing is protection. More expensive units will have interlocking plates which will limit how far the spine can bend backwards (coz that's bad). Also, the cheap ones will have less coverage, while the more expensive ones will possibly reach towards shoulders, right down to coccyx etc.

[ckai]

I have this one (Knox Contour Race)



Well, the one of the right anyway. Comfy as hell. Haven't used it much since I don't have the money to go on the track. I paid $150 for it on closeout I think and that was a steal. No way in hell I would pay less for that unless it was 2nd hand or massively discounted. I wouldn't recommend a $30 one to my enemy let alone my friends but I'd love to be proven wrong.

[rapid van cleef]

Dont buy the cheap shit off trademe. In the UK, Ride magazine did extensive tests in a lab of a range of brand name protection that was already fitted to bike gear, and also the dedicated stuff you buy to wear underneath your jacket etc.

It was done in a lab using pretty technical equipment(im no engineer)....not just how tough did it feel etc. As a comparioson they also tested the impact absortption of a .......cheese sandwhich....seriously....no bullshit. At the time the Forcefield and Knox gear surpassed the Alpinestars etc. The scary thing is that some of the brand name armour had lower absorption qualities than the sandwhich and let the energy pass straight through the armour to the sensors. Make sure what you buy is CE certified or you may as well strap a cheese sandwhich to your back.

[Dragon]

Give the guys at Qmoto a bell they do back protectors as well

[Erelyes]

Get at LEAST CE level 1, preferably CE level 2.

If it doesn't say the level... it's level 1.

I did a bit of research and either the Tryonic, Forcefield, or Knox offerings looked the best value for money. I went Forcefield Kevlar L2K which is level 2.

Mine will be under $300 after shipping, and I got reamed for shipping through Youshop from the USA (somehow, it's 15cm thick after repacking )

Dold claims to import them but didn't reply to emails asking for price (because putting prices on their website might be helpful?).

[busadayz]

I wear a Forcefield back protector, tested thoroughly at a race meet at Taupo in November. It no doubt saved further serious injury to me. Gear only has to do its job once to be effective, (like my helmet to). You can spend cheaper and more than likely it will be better than nothing at all. As they say with helmets buy the best you can that is the most comfortable. No one wants to have an off and most will probably walk away from them, but too late to think about it afterwards. My Forcefield is very comfy, but not cheap.
I believe Dolds are the importer, as such they don't give out pricing. They should be able to put you in touch with a retailer that sells them though.

[Jayman]

Thanks all! Good food for thought! Yeah looking at the ones on trademe none of them mention CE ratings, so that kinda answers that one! I realise you get what you paid for and safety first etc... but there is a budget (just got Revit leathers $400) and I'm going to need a new helmet (~$500) before my track day ($200) so yeah... it's all adding up! I've spotted a REV'IT jacket insert at motomail for $80, it's CE-2 although looks like a large sponge so don't get how that works.

If you don't wanna spend mega look at the AX Race Shell at T7 for 70 bucks.

Does fit in your jacket? Or do you need to wear it under your jacket? Looks good for the price!

Thanks again everyone!

[SPP]

Does fit in your jacket? Or do you need to wear it under your jacket? Looks good for the price!

You wear the AXO under your jacket or suit. The shoulder straps and waist band hold it in place and the secondary straps (kidney) snug it up good and secure. If you're seriously looking at one of these they fit small so go up a size to get decent length (tail to shoulders).

I'm weary of the protectors that fit into back pockets. Even if they're decent build they more than likely won't have quite as much tail coverage and would move around with the jacket.

[Taxythingy]

I've spotted a REV'IT jacket insert at motomail for $80, it's CE-2 although looks like a large sponge so don't get how that works.

CE motorcycle armour ratings refer to a maximum level of force that passes through the armour from a standardised test. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_armor

Level 2 for back protectors requires a larger coverage area and lower transmitted forces. The easiest way to pass these tests is to make the armour out of foam. Hard plastic plates will spread an impact over a larger area (therefore thinner foam or better protection), better withstand abrasion, reduce backward flex if interlocking and probably provide better protection against sharper objects (i.e. cut or stab). Forcefield's kevlar armour will likely do the same stuff as good plastic plates. I am not a materials scientist. Results may vary.

I'm happy with my Alpinestars, but would probably replace with CE 2 armour from Knox or Forcefield.

[xen]

I'll probably get a Forcefield L2k soon, you can get it at your local shop RRP $245

[p.dath]

I guess you should consider what you want a back protector to do for you (apart from give you entry into AMCC ART day).

The CE certifications for back protectors have nothing about abrasion resistance in them. They also don't require a test result that will result in you living from a direct impact to your back (specifically, the test energy pass point for CE level 2 is enough to kill you).

For track days the, IMHO, requirement is to offer some abrasion resistance for your back in case your gear separates or wears through, and reduce the pain and bruising from a "light" impact to your back (perhaps against an impact from another bike, or even part of the track from a long slide).


I haven't seen any back protectors that would offer serious abrasion resistance. Most seem to be made from plastic that looks like it would wear very quickly. So failing that, the simple plastic back protectors with inter-locking plates to prevent you being bent backwards seem a reasonable option.


I own a back protector myself - but in reality I think there value is almost worthless for the protection they offer.

[bluninja]

I guess you should consider what you want a back protector to do for you (apart from give you entry into AMCC ART day).

The CE certifications for back protectors have nothing about abrasion resistance in them. They also don't require a test result that will result in you living from a direct impact to your back (specifically, the test energy pass point for CE level 2 is enough to kill you).

For track days the, IMHO, requirement is to offer some abrasion resistance for your back in case your gear separates or wears through, and reduce the pain and bruising from a "light" impact to your back (perhaps against an impact from another bike, or even part of the track from a long slide).


I haven't seen any back protectors that would offer serious abrasion resistance. Most seem to be made from plastic that looks like it would wear very quickly. So failing that, the simple plastic back protectors with inter-locking plates to prevent you being bent backwards seem a reasonable option.


I own a back protector myself - but in reality I think there value is almost worthless for the protection they offer.

Having tested Dainese back protectors a few times I would disagree a little with your post. A high side that had my bike invert and me coming down hard on the track left me uninjured, though I had light bruising around the outline edge of the protector at my shoulder blades. I have also had a high speed bump and bounce on the Manfield grass infield which again resulted in no back injury. In none of my tarmac excursions have I abraded through the back part of my leathers. Perhaps I need to go faster.

The foam is their for impact absorption, those with a hard shell provide (potentially) a little more protection to spread the impact across the foam and reduce the intrusion of a sharp object. Your outer wear is there for abrasion resistance. If you think it's not up to it, or that the 2 piece might come apart, then get that sorted; adding a back protector, in this scenario, is not the answer.