Bulletproof vest = Chest protector?

**XP@** · 17th February 2009, 20:55

Was thinking, if you fall off and your chest gets hit there is nothing in a standard jacket (except for wallet and cellphone) to save those flimsy ribs from shattering and poking holes in your lungs. Recent studies and lost friends show this type of injury is common.

Last weekend I was talking to a police friend about the bike cop who was hit by the tree and pretty much saved by his bullet / stab resistant vest.

So I thought well I could do with one of those myself, or similar. Anyway a bullet proof vest is hanging at the local ex-army store. It's one of those covert, under the t-shirt ones it's got front and rear protection from bullets, but not rifle rounds and on the front a high-tensile steel plate. It seems light and comfortable enough under the jacket. At $225 is not that expensive and I possibly even get away with giving the mob the bird as you wheely past their Sunday ride (except I am crap at wheelies). But the question is how, in theory would it perform in an accident?

Comparing this to the stuff designed for a bike. This is the Knox chest protector designed to go with a back protector. QUASiMoto do them for $139, then add $350 for more back protection:
http://www.visordown.com/articles/vi...hest/3568.html

Or I could go with a full shirt, but i don't think these would hold up too well being put on and off at least twice a day:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motor...or/forcefield/

Thoughts?

**cs363** · 17th February 2009, 21:25

Originally Posted by XP@

Was thinking, if you fall off and your chest gets hit there is nothing in a standard jacket (except for wallet and cellphone) to save those flimsy ribs from shattering and poking holes in your lungs. Recent studies and lost friends show this type of injury is common.

Last weekend I was talking to a police friend about the bike cop who was hit by the tree and pretty much saved by his bullet / stab resistant vest.

So I thought well I could do with one of those myself, or similar. Anyway a bullet proof vest is hanging at the local ex-army store. It's one of those covert, under the t-shirt ones it's got front and rear protection from bullets, but not rifle rounds and on the front a high-tensile steel plate. It seems light and comfortable enough under the jacket. At $225 is not that expensive and I possibly even get away with giving the mob the bird as you wheely past their Sunday ride (except I am crap at wheelies). But the question is how, in theory would it perform in an accident?

Comparing this to the stuff designed for a bike. This is the Knox chest protector designed to go with a back protector. QUASiMoto do them for $139, then add $350 for more back protection:
http://www.visordown.com/articles/vi...hest/3568.html

Or I could go with a full shirt, but i don't think these would hold up too well being put on and off at least twice a day:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motor...or/forcefield/

Thoughts?

I guess it would work better than nothing, but I would think that the purpose built protectors would work better overall purely because they have been designed for that particular job.
For instance a bullet proof vest is designed to protect from entry of small diameter projectiles travelling at high velocity, whereas the motorcycle specific protectors are designed for (relatively) lower impact speeds but usually with a much blunter object (the ground etc)

Further I would imagine that there are bullet proof vests and bullet proof vests....as far as quality goes. For instance I doubt that some of the over the counter ones are as good as the ones armed services/AOS or whomever use.
And, if I'm not mistaken the NZ Police standard issue vest is stab proof rather than bullet proof, though I'm sure someone here can confirm that.

Of course i could be wrong....

**Quasievil** · 17th February 2009, 21:34

Weight is an issue, I wear the KNOX chest and back protector (surprise surprise) and frankly its so light I dont know its there.
Its designed for bikes specifically so you will be better off with a KNOX.
I know they are dear though but today I will cut you a deal on a Back Protector to $50 off the retail

okay?

**XP@** · 17th February 2009, 21:50

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Weight is an issue, I wear the KNOX chest and back protector (surprise surprise) and frankly its so light I dont know its there.
Its designed for bikes specifically so you will be better off with a KNOX.
I know they are dear though but today I will cut you a deal on a Back Protector to $50 off the retail

okay?

Hmmm interesting.
I have a stupidly big commute (200km's per day) every day. My gear is put on and off twice a day, gets wet, locked in to spaces just about big enough for it and generally takes all the hammer a hard life can throw at it. (I haven't found a pair of pants that hold together or stay waterproof for 12 months yet)

How durable / repareable if the KNOX gear? Will it stand up to hard daily use or is it more designed for the weekend rider or racer with a sponsor who pays for it?

**cs363** · 17th February 2009, 22:03

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Weight is an issue, I wear the KNOX chest and back protector (surprise surprise) and frankly its so light I dont know its there.

Yeah weight and movement would be another issue with a bullet proof vest, they are quite restrictive compared to purpose built motorcycle armour - especially so on a sport bike I'd imagine.

**Gremlin** · 17th February 2009, 23:02

I can testify that the knox chest protector is damn good at turning bird strikes straight to the chest into dull thuds.

Well... for me anyway. I don't think the bird did very well....

**Laxi** · 17th February 2009, 23:04

anyone know where i can find a cheap 15th century armour suit??

**Quasievil** · 18th February 2009, 06:56

Originally Posted by XP@

How durable / repareable if the KNOX gear? Will it stand up to hard daily use or is it more designed for the weekend rider or racer with a sponsor who pays for it?

The Kit is exceptionally well made and to date mine is very durable, no signs of any wear.

**XP@** · 18th February 2009, 08:23

KNOX it is then...
Quasi: I notice most of your protectors for tall (well taller than me) people. Which back protector would suit myself at 5'4" ?

Way more than i was wanting to spend, but the way I ride and the conditions I ride in I need all the protection I can find.

I've got some really good quality German bike gear that is way too big for me that I'll sell to cover the difference. (The best protection in the world is no good if it stays on the rack)

**vifferman** · 18th February 2009, 08:31

Originally Posted by Laxi

anyone know where i can find a cheap 15th century armour suit??

How cheap?
I know where you may be able to buy a replica one.

**Quasievil** · 18th February 2009, 08:46

Originally Posted by XP@

KNOX it is then...
Quasi: I notice most of your protectors for tall (well taller than me) people. Which back protector would suit myself at 5'4" ?

Way more than i was wanting to spend, but the way I ride and the conditions I ride in I need all the protection I can find.

I've got some really good quality German bike gear that is way too big for me that I'll sell to cover the difference. (The best protection in the world is no good if it stays on the rack)

You will be okay in a Contour Tour Back Protector dude.

**XP@** · 18th February 2009, 10:10

Originally Posted by Quasievil

You will be okay in a Contour Tour Back Protector dude.

Sending in my order :-)

**Renegade** · 20th February 2009, 13:45

i think that cop on the bike vest saving him thing was a complete PR spin by the Police, i know a few cops and none of them have had anything good to say about the SRBA vests and by all accounts a cheap NZ police fuck up again.

There is also reports floating around about back injuries police are starting to suffer, from the weight of these new vests coming in at nearly 15kg with duty belt etc, id say it would be hard enough to through yourself over a fence without all the crap let alone wearing and chasing a robber.

**Pogo2** · 22nd February 2009, 19:36

After wearing mine for even an hour or so I'm hot and grumpy. They have little ventilation and after climbing a few ladders etc I'm dripping bucketloads. Definately not a bit of kit for the bike!