Back protectors?

**placidfemme** · 23rd February 2007, 11:00

I was just wondering how many of us wear back protectors and when we wear them.

I brought my back protector in 2005, and the first time I wore it I wrote my bike off, so just as well I was wearing it.

Since then I only wore it when I was going on "joy-rides" and left it at home while commuting.

I binned my bike on the way to work about 3-4 weeks ago and since then I've worn it pretty much everytime I've been on my bike since...

What about you?

**35tickets** · 23rd February 2007, 11:11

I used to work for motolife in cambridge. One day one of the other instructors was talking about back/spine protectors and asked the students "how much would you pay to not be in a wheelchair?"

I guess its a preference thing. After all, top of the line race gear and leathers didn't stop Wayne Rainy ending up in a chair.

I'm a bit of 2 minds; I wear the protector on my ZZR11 but not on my KLR. Up to the rider i guess

**PZR** · 23rd February 2007, 11:19

I wear mine all the time as I reckon its more dangerous in commuter traffic than fanging it on the open road

**placidfemme** · 23rd February 2007, 11:27

At first the main reason I only wore mine on joy-rides was that I found wearing the back protector rather uncomfortable (being a skinny little shit the waist straps would ride up over my hips and push the top of the protector up by my neck reducing my head turning ability and so forth, because it would catch on my helmet).

But after binning in town (Fanshaw St) it made me realise that I'd rather be uncomfortable than paralised or something.

**Wasp** · 23rd February 2007, 11:33

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Since then I only wore it when I was going on "joy-rides" and left it at home while commuting.

I binned my bike on the way to work about 3-4 weeks ago and since then I've worn it pretty much everytime I've been on my bike since...

What about you?

When I biined my bike on the way to work about 4 months ago I wasnt wearing it. Still dont wear it on the way to work beacuse its about a 5-10 minute trip, if i had to commute into town then i might. if i go "riding" then I always wear it

**Squeak the Rat** · 23rd February 2007, 11:41

I recently purchased one, and took out the foam "protector" out of my jacket so it would fit comfortably under the jacket.

If i put my jacket on with no padding on now I feel vulnerable, so to date i have always worn my protector.

I have no idea if that sense made.

**Pumba** · 23rd February 2007, 11:46

The only time I dont wear mine is going to and from work. I know I should but I dont.

**CM2005** · 23rd February 2007, 11:47

i dirt ride, so i haven't really needed one, but when/if i get my bucket finished i'll definitely get one for racing.

**Joni** · 23rd February 2007, 11:50

PF, you stared a very similar pole in 2005 when you were looking to buy one.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14329

:spudwhat:

**placidfemme** · 23rd February 2007, 11:56

Originally Posted by Joni

PF, you stared a very similar pole in 2005 when you were looking to buy one.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14329

:spudwhat:

d'oh... should have done a search... sorry

**Brett** · 23rd February 2007, 12:09

I need to get my arse into gear and get one, along with some decent leathers.

**Macktheknife** · 23rd February 2007, 12:15

I wear it from time to time, but it seems to have shrunk a bit around the waist lately! lol
When I get back into riding I will be wearing it more often than I used to.

**onearmedbandit** · 23rd February 2007, 12:23

I only used to wear mine on the track, glad I did the day I biffed it out there as I landed hard on the back of my head and shoulders at about 140km/h. It was I believe the difference between me walking away with minor bruising and being carted away in an ambulance. Now I wear it on any ride not in town. Comfort be damned, sight more comfortable than a hospital bed then wheelchair.