Back protectors - who wears em?

[JohnBoy]

For long rides I wear a back support/kidney protector jobby, but its not a full back protector as such.. Definitly helps with the lower back pain on long rides thou.

i agree.. the best thing to wear when riding a sports bike long dist. i always wear my back protector whenever i travell longer than about 100km.

[flash]

You may want to read my post again

Broke my neck and back in 4 places at 50km/hr. If I'd been wearing a back protector I would only have broken my neck.

My spine was bent back in the direction most of us stop using when we get past about 2 years old. The ends of the vertebrae were compressed causing compression fractures. The back protector would have stopped my back flexing backwards far enough to cause the thoracic spinal injury. The neck one was less severe and it was caused by the impact of the top of my helmet clad head on the tarmac. Straight down like a javelin. It was a non-mobile hairline crack in two cervical vertebrae. Only ruptured one intra-vertebral space, which self corrected over 2 or 3 years. I have a mild touch of thing called throracic outlet syndrome, and I get intense burning pain on the outside of my right arm, muscle weakness and sometimes a fine tremor. Makes it hard to drum at the level I used to. The good thing is my hand is pre-numbed for riding inline fours.

looks like im going to have to buy a back protector too now , i hate not having money

[wendigo]

All the time. Didn't start wearing one until ~6 months ago (after 10 years riding), now I feel naked without one. Sods law states that the first time I don't wear it, I'll have a big one and smash my back.

[R1madness]

I wear one all the time.
I had a massive highside at Ruapuna on the infield sweeper and ended up slamming the tyre wall and the bike followed me in. It slammed me in the back just as i bounced off the tyre wall.
Result 2 broken vertibras in spine (as well as lots of other injurys) and 5 broken plastic shields on the dianeese back protector. I reacon if i wasn't wearing it i would now be a perminant wheelchair pilot. Now riding without one feels like riding without a helmet.
Buy one, wear it, feel bullet proof.

[MrMelon]

I got one of quasi's back protectors but it's about 1 segment too big. It kinda digs in to the back of my neck when I'm hunched over... Don't think it's all that safe the way it is, but I think he only had them in Large.

[enigma51]

You may want to read my post again

Broke my neck and back in 4 places at 50km/hr. If I'd been wearing a back protector I would only have broken my neck.

My spine was bent back in the direction most of us stop using when we get past about 2 years old. The ends of the vertebrae were compressed causing compression fractures. The back protector would have stopped my back flexing backwards far enough to cause the thoracic spinal injury. The neck one was less severe and it was caused by the impact of the top of my helmet clad head on the tarmac. Straight down like a javelin. It was a non-mobile hairline crack in two cervical vertebrae. Only ruptured one intra-vertebral space, which self corrected over 2 or 3 years. I have a mild touch of thing called throracic outlet syndrome, and I get intense burning pain on the outside of my right arm, muscle weakness and sometimes a fine tremor. Makes it hard to drum at the level I used to. The good thing is my hand is pre-numbed for riding inline fours.

sorry me bad read it the wrong way. Well thats why I wear my back protector all the time!

[Finn]

most leathers come with a crappy foam protector in a sleve in the back take this out if it has one and the other protector should fit fine

I wear a spidi airback , a bit pricey but so is a wheel chair!

I'll check my suit out tonight and see if some padding can be removed.

Well it seems from the responses that I'd be a fool not to start using it.

Cheers

[sugilite:Me]

I use one all the time. I started using them for racing, but realized they are even more applicable for road use. They help you slide up and over curbs and such without braking your back, I should know, I've tested them many times. I notice some people mentioning that they only use them for long distance rides, my 2 worst prangs have been within 5 km's of home.

[MotoEquip]

I got one of quasi's back protectors but it's about 1 segment too big. It kinda digs in to the back of my neck when I'm hunched over... Don't think it's all that safe the way it is, but I think he only had them in Large.

If they are anything like mine, just ensure you push the base of the back protector down into/ over your pants and make sure the belt is below the ribcage, then it'll be fine.

[MSTRS:Me]

Dammit I dont know if I need one now. The Shift jacket I wear (Cordura or similar) has a padded thing at the top...but nothing down the spine...so maybe it IS a good idea to get one. Might see what Quasi's ones are like at Taupo.

Get one!!!! BTW they are good anywhere, not just at Taupo

[hXc]

I wear mine for buckets. I'll be wearing one for most road riding when I get bike and lisence. I feel naked without one now.

[MSTRS:Me]

....... when I get bike and lisence. I feel naked without one now.

Patience Grasshopper. 7 weeks to go.

[hXc]

50 days YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

[Quasievil]

I got one of quasi's back protectors but it's about 1 segment too big. It kinda digs in to the back of my neck when I'm hunched over... Don't think it's all that safe the way it is, but I think he only had them in Large.

As Motoeqip says thats what you need to do, also you will notice you can tilt your head all the way up this is intentional and helps protect your neck. But do as Mr Motoequip suggested and let me know how you get on with that.
Cheers mate

[Flyingpony]

One question:
How many layers of clothing is it okay to wear a back protectors over top of?

I commute and would like to know if it's okay to wear it over top of t-shirt and shirt/jersey but obviously under jacket.