Do back protectors make sense?

[Hitcher]

Back protectors may make sense, but surely not if a rider is wearing a backpack at the same time. Unless of course they cancel each other out.

[gatch]

Definately wear the protector, everywhere now, it only takes a minute more to put on. Your back is kind of important, so I want to protect it as well as I can.

[Quasievil]

You can buy back protectors and you can buy back protectors

The foam pad that exists in most jackets and race suits are NOT BACK PROTECTORS they are a foam pad (these give you the protection of a cheese sandwich) dont be fooled into thinking you are protected with this.........you are not.

Back Protection should be one of your most serious buying choices, study and consider your choice carefullly as there is Fuckloads of utter crap in the NZ market (mostly residing on Trademe)

There are different kinds for different applications, touring or racing, integrated Kidney protection or not etc etc etc

We only sell the best, and the Best is KNOX
http://www.qmoto.co.nz/products/knox-armour

Dont just go and buy one, take my advise and ring me first, before I will recommend one I need to know some things first.
Ring me on 07 8550784 or 0275430329

We are always available.

[Bender]

I thank you all for excellent input and advice. There seems a pretty clear trend!

Quasievil I am going to give you a call tomorrow.

[Gremlin]

back protector? Hell, I've been wearing quasi's chest protector as well for a couple of years. provides more support than discomfort, I covered 4300km in 8 days, no discomfort. i've previously come off and barely hurt.

[MarkH]

wearing my Knox Aegis back protector

We only sell the best, and the Best is KNOX

If anyone was wondering where I got mine from, it was Quasi. It wasn't cheap, but it is comfortable and offers good protection. It should last for many years, so it wont work out to be all that expensive - definitely cheaper than back surgery.

[MaxCannon]

I wear a back and chest guard everywhere.
One the couple of times I've ridden without it I feel naked.
Check out motomail - I got mine on special, maybe they still have them discounted.
I've tested the back protection twice (on the racetrack), never even felt the impact with the ground.
Chest came in real handy when I hit a bird- I was doing about - 90ish (mph or kms, hmmm)
Huge blood splatter on my jacket and the force knocked me back in the seat.
Arguably you need it more on the road than on the track.
Surface is worse, lots of roadside furniture to hit, and lots of stupid people drive hunks of metal trying their best to kill you.

[spajohn]

I asked that same question of a guy in a bike shop...he said he fractured his spine when a cager hit him at a set of lights directly outside the shop, he only had a short work commute as well and figured he didn't need one. Just goes to show...

[willytheekid]

Good subject!
In 28 yrs of riding I can honestly say Back protectors are the main reason I can still walk today. (and lots of armored gear)
I was hit by a drunk driver in 1998 - punched "over" a traffic island and left for dead, Broken back, separated left arm (nearly had it amputated) a crushed knee and chipped hip (in traction for months!-with nearly a full year of rehab). The doctors adamantly told me that with out the back protector with kidney belt, my spinal cord would have been cut and I would have been left permanently paralyzed.
I have destroyed 3 back protectors so far, one in the above accident, one at speedway, and one when I over cooked a corner and slid backwards into a power-pole.
So yes, back protectors work....damn well! (highly recommend dainesse brand...comfy and well made)
And Quasievil is spot on! the foam in jackets-aint even close to being a back protector. Invest in good gear...and one day that investment will save your life...or at the lest, allow you to keep the "gift" of walking

-there panel damage....could be our life!

ps: who knows who invented the back protector?? clue...fist name starts with B last S

[Crasherfromwayback]

Barry Sheen!

[F5 Dave]

I somersaulted over some chap who parked his bike in my front wheel going into turn one on a street cct & landed on my back. Knocked the stuffing out of me but no lasting injury, however I did get some more gel like foam put in my leathers over my tailbone as the back protector didn't have much protection down low & that hurt for a few days. I've just bought some Forcefield (previously T-Pro http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/technology.asp ) which claims to outperform other Armour. I couldn't find it in local shops but have since seen it in an NZ bike mag last week. Sadly distributed by a wholesaler I will go a long way out of my way not to give money to.

[{.bLanK}G_o_D]

Barry Sheen!

Yip, good ol Bazza.
Made the first ever back protector from a bunch of old visors strapped together that allowed movement one way but not the other.

[steve_t]

+1 for Knox Aegis. Really comfortable and doesn't take up as much room in my jacket as my old cheapy did

[johan]

back protector? Hell, I've been wearing quasi's chest protector as well for a couple of years. provides more support than discomfort, I covered 4300km in 8 days, no discomfort. i've previously come off and barely hurt.

Yep, I never leave home without Quasi's chest protector. Back and front armour should be compulsory, just like helmets.
While you're at it, buy Quasi's SPS gloves too, brilliant!

[firefighter]

Back and front armour should be compulsory, just like helmets.
While you're at it, buy Quasi's SPS gloves too, brilliant!

erm, do not agree here. If you worry about other peoples safety enough to make them compulsary (presuming you mean for the road) you'd be better off banning bikes altogether.

No way in fuck would I wear a back protector on my commute to and from Uni, it's completely impractical, for me, my tecknic jeans with Knox knee guards (ones strapped to my knee) my Quasi jacket/gloves and good quality helmet are enough protection. Anything else and i'd rather take the car, it's not worth the hastle to have to carry a back protector as well as my other shit around all day.

On proper rides, definitely.

I ca'nt say i'm a fan of 'I do it so everyone should'.........