Gear safety message

[Quasievil]

I'm very concerned so decided to give you a heads up especially for newbies

Sadly many TM sellers are advertising their jackets as having a back protector fitted when infact it is not, it is a piece of foam, this foam will offer you the same protection as a cheese sandwich (but wont taste as good) this piece of foam is a piece of foam there is not testing or certification to back up the important claim of back protection. So be aware of this.

Some Back protectors are installed in higher end Jackets, and I know of a few that do have these inserted, I will make the comment however that ideally you need your back Armour to cover off your coccyx, a jacket installed unit is generally to short to do this due to the jacket length.

You can buy a proper back protector from many sources, Astars, Dianese, Teknic do them as do many other brands.

Now Ive got that of my chest you can all go one about me bagging other peoples products I dont care, Im hoping I have saved someone from a wheelchair

peace out !

[Taz]

Stop bagging other peoples products

[phill-k]

As you are obviously a responsible manufacturer and supplier of safety clothing perhaps you should also report said traders to both Trade-Me as well as Consumer Affairs.

Then come back here and report in, this would demonstrate your sincerity

[Quasievil]

As you are obviously a responsible manufacturer and supplier of safety clothing perhaps you should also report said traders to both Trade-Me as well as Consumer Affairs.

Then come back here and report in, this would demonstrate your sincerity

I can do that yes.

Im not here to promote anything I do, this is a genuine concern, not a advert.

Ive got two mates in wheelchairs as it is and Im not liking this B.S

[cs363]

On this subject which Quasi has rightly raised (dodgy safety gear is not a funny subject in my book) if you're going to shell out for a back protector, ensure that it carries a minimum of CE level 1 approval (the really good ones are level 2 approved).
Some back protectors look the part but due to poor materials and construction offer little more protection than the aforementioned foam. (Even with the foam there are differences, generally higher end manufacturers will use a high density PE foam, which does at least absorb/spread some impact (but are still largely ineffectual in a real get off) whilst the TM cheapies use normal foam rubber)
In fact I've seen some unapproved "back protectors" that would likely cause injuries in a crash!

For some more info on CE certifications and a warning on fake CE labelling (yes...as seen on TradeMe) have a look at this: http://skinscafe.com/ceLabels.html

[Virago]

...Im not here to promote anything I do, this is a genuine concern, not a advert.

Ive got two mates in wheelchairs as it is and Im not liking this B.S

Wow. Are those two mates in wheelchairs as the direct result of using inferior back-protectors?

[SPman]

Wow. Are those two mates in wheelchairs as the direct result of using inferior back-protectors?

No back protectors, perhaps?

[Quasievil]

Wow. Are those two mates in wheelchairs as the direct result of using inferior back-protectors?

No Actually, it was the point of I dont want to see any more..........so sue me

[Milts]

Not that I have any experience, but I'm with Quasievil on this. My jacket is a cheapo from Trademe, and it did indeed come with a piece of foam in the back advertised as back protection. I always thought would be better than nothing if I ended up flying and then landing on my back, but in reality it is probably close to useless. I've since pulled it out and looking at it I can't see how it would do any real good apart from prevent bruising in the lowest of speed collisions.

I've dropped one of these in instead:
http://motomail.co.nz/eStore/Style/RVARBKTP2.aspx

A fairly cheap way to upgrade (I think I got mine from motorrad for 40 or 50$). Obviously nowhere near the coverage of a strap on back protector, but for commuting I figure it's better than nothing - even if I owned a strap on back protector I doubt I'd put it on for the four or five minute ride to Uni every day.
Quasi, I'm really curuious to see what your opinion is of the substitute I posted a link to above.

And regardless of what people think of Quasi's rants on safety and his so called 'constant bagging of the competition' (which always seems to genuinly have rider safety at the centre...), this is a very real safety issue and I think it's good he's bringing it to people's attention. It'd be interesting to see the opinion of people who've crashed with and without back protectors - I remember Winston001 started a thread about them after an accident. Now that my father's getting back into riding, he's taking a good look at them. And this coming from someone who last rode in the days where "good protective gear" was jeans, work boots, a thick jacket (leather on a good day) and an open face helmet. I suspect we'll have to look at them for his birthday...

[Quasievil]

I've dropped one of these in instead:
http://motomail.co.nz/eStore/Style/RVARBKTP2.aspx


Quasi, I'm really curuious to see what your opinion is of the substitute I posted a link to above.

Hi these are tested to this standard, so you have a level one back protector which is great to have in a Jacket,

tested against the European standard EN1621-2 the transmitted force is 16kN making this a Level 1 back protector.

Ideally for any track work you should have your coccyx covered of, well achieved by a Contour or a KNOX Aegis race.

Cheers for the rep, nice stuff !!

[trumpy]

I too am with Quasi on this.
Firstly,having been dumped rather unceremoniously on my back a couple of years ago (and at my age "dump" is the appropriate word....no sliding involved!) I am sure that my back protector had a lot to do with me getting away with only a partial break in my right scapula.
Secondly, as part of my business I sell high end light and ultra lightweight wheelchairs and as such a number of my customers are the result of motorcycle accidents. The one commonality with all my clients (with the exception of only two) is their stunning lack of protective gear at the time of their accident.
No, this is not a scientific study so please don't ask for "stats" and as their clinical information is private I cannot supply any more detail other than what I have stated. Draw your own conclusions as I have drawn mine.

[DEATH_INC.]

Good on ya for bringing this to peoples attention.
For those who don't actually know Quasi, he's a genuine bloke with genuine concerns, especially when it comes to this stuff.

[cs363]

While we're on the subject of protection, something that is probably overlooked by many is chest protection - many motorcyclists get severe and often fatal injuries from chest impacts, not surprising when you consider how vulnerable many of our vital organs are to a frontal impact.
There are several good brands of chest protection on the market, designed to either fit into existing pockets in jackets & suits or be worn under leathers.
Again, look for the CE approval and where possible go for the highest spec (level 2) if available.
Safe riding folks

[Marmoot]

Sadly many TM sellers are advertising their jackets as having a back protector fitted when infact it is not, it is a piece of foam, this foam will offer you the same protection as a cheese sandwich (but wont taste as good) this piece of foam is a piece of foam there is not testing or certification to back up the important claim of back protection. So be aware of this.

While I agree on your point with non-certifiable/non-certified "bogus back protectors", I think you should clarify that the "foam" you were referring to was only the ones not suitable for back protection, and that there are foam back protectors (from certain manufacturers) that are suitably used and works.

As a proof, I would like to nominate my AGV Sport (one of the reputable brand as we know it) leather suit with double-density foam back protector, elbow protectors and shoulder protectors which have been crash-tested multiple times (on road as well as high speed track offs) without fail.

Overall, though, good point Quasi. Safer communities together.

[phill-k]

All very good gentlemen, however when suggesting that there are dodgy products on Trade Me or elsewhere, this is a serious issue as it applies to safety gear especially as newer riders may not have the knowledge to judge for themselves.

The statement has no foundation nor does it have any use as the dodgy suppliers are not named, thus for those who can not gauge the safety or quality it is pointless. This is the reason why I suggested the author of this thread if he really is concerned should firstly approach Trade-Me as they will on evidence take down the auctions and may also ban the trader and secondly as this is supposedly an issue of safety take the evidence to consumer affairs and request they look into it as well. Otherwise the information is pure scaremongering and a part of the on going crap between the various second tier suppliers of riding gear as we have seen before.