Back Protectors - Alpinestars or Dainese?

**Westy_mate** · 21st June 2011, 16:37

Hey guys, just need your opinion on a couple of back sliders,

There is this Dainese one here:

http://www.motowheels.com/italian/my...0Riding%20Gear

or this Alpinestars one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Are they suitable? will get me on the track with either one? which do you prefer?

Cheers Guys

Dane

**Scuba_Steve** · 21st June 2011, 16:49

don't know about others but I get a "page not found" & a "This listing () has been removed, or this item is not available"

**Westy_mate** · 21st June 2011, 17:01

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

don't know about others but I get a "page not found" & a "This listing () has been removed, or this item is not available"

Shit! auctions closed...

heres a link for the alpinestars back protector:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALPIN...item23114c4224

and one for the Dainese:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DAINE...#ht_2126wt_908

Also, ignore the sizes, ill sort that out later

**jaffaonajappa** · 21st June 2011, 17:05

both look 'fine' for use.
But are you looking for the safest one, best looing one? (lol), or the cheapest one.
Quasi has them Knox ones on his site...tell him to get another $1 auction going :P

**Westy_mate** · 21st June 2011, 17:10

Originally Posted by jaffaonajappa

both look 'fine' for use.
But are you looking for the safest one, best looing one? (lol), or the cheapest one.
Quasi has them Knox ones on his site...tell him to get another $1 auction going :P

safest of course, I trust both Brands, both pass the highest regulations so im not too worried there

**cs363** · 21st June 2011, 17:12

Originally Posted by jaffaonajappa

both look 'fine' for use.
But are you looking for the safest one, best looing one? (lol), or the cheapest one.
Quasi has them Knox ones on his site...tell him to get another $1 auction going :P

Actually, it is down to which one looks the best in the buyers eyes as all of those (Alpinestars, Dainese & Knox) are Level 2 CE certified which is the highest impact level you can get. And all are very good, reputable brands.

Be wary buying these offshore as those prices aren't much cheaper than paying full retail in NZ (Alpinestars is less than $40 difference with shipping, if you do get hit with GST there's no saving at all - you'd probably be better off screwing the local dealer for a discount, and at least you can try it on and get the right size. I imagine the Dainese is a similar case)
Plus, if you do strike any issues, easier to get sorted locally.

I think the Alpinestars is less bulky than the Dainese, not sure about Knox as I haven't had a good look at one up close.

Just my two cents

**Westy_mate** · 21st June 2011, 17:29

Originally Posted by cs363

Actually, it is down to which one looks the best in the buyers eyes as all of those (Alpinestars, Dainese & Knox) are Level 2 CE certified which is the highest impact level you can get. And all are very good, reputable brands.

Be wary buying these offshore as those prices aren't much cheaper than paying full retail in NZ (Alpinestars is less than $40 difference with shipping, if you do get hit with GST there's no saving at all - you'd probably be better off screwing the local dealer for a discount, and at least you can try it on and get the right size. I imagine the Dainese is a similar case)
Plus, if you do strike any issues, easier to get sorted locally.

I think the Alpinestars is less bulky than the Dainese, not sure about Knox as I haven't had a good look at one up close.

Just my two cents

I would preferably buy from nz, but i cant any prices for either of those products near the amount of savings i could be having. hmmmm i dont know..

**Scuba_Steve** · 21st June 2011, 18:14

if it's just out of those 2 I'd go for the Alpinestar... looks cooler

**Westy_mate** · 21st June 2011, 18:20

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

if it's just out of those 2 I'd go for the Alpinestar... looks cooler

They seem to be the only two decently priced ones on ebay, also the most common. I prefer Alpinestars too, the main reason i ask all this is i plan to take on the track days and need a back protector that will pass the pre-race tests

**imdying** · 21st June 2011, 18:57

I purchased a Bionic 2 vest/back protector on special here in Chch for $200 FWIW... about 3 months ago. I've been meaning to get one (a back protector) for a while, they just happened to have it on special in the window when I went to get an oil filter and I'm a whore for getting more from a shop than I planned to.

Gutted all of the armour out of one of my jackets and basically only use that now. It's a bit of a pain to get in and out of because the moulded arms in the jacket are quite tighht to it, but I figure that's probably not a bad thing as at least the armour won't move.

With chest/back/shoulder/elbow/kidney protection you get a bit of an indestructible feeling for the first few weeks, which is kind of neat. After that I started thinking "Hmmm... where can I get a matching bit for my hips and knees....".

If you can be bothered with the minor extra hassle, I'd recommend it... I would expect the chest vest bit to help keep the back protector where it works best, but that's only a guess.

Worth asking around town, A* stuff seems to be competitively priced. Presumably that means Blue Wing Honda have nothing to do with the importation of it into NZ.

**Pussy** · 21st June 2011, 19:02

Only one choice... get the Alpinestars one. They are even VERY comfy to wear for road riding, and the local back-up, if purchased in NZ, is great.

**Grant`** · 21st June 2011, 21:36

Originally Posted by Pussy

Only one choice... get the Alpinestars one. They are even VERY comfy to wear for road riding, and the local back-up, if purchased in NZ, is great.

This was a while back, but normally I would of just gone straight for the Alpinestars one thinking it would be the best. However after going into a shop and trialling a couple I walked out the door with another back protector that didn't have Alpinestars plastered all over it.

So I would at least recommending trying them before you just spend your hard earned cash.

**steve_t** · 21st June 2011, 22:02

Knox Aegis for comfort and protection. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it.

Forcefield Pro Sub 4 has a good rating but is really thick and not as much scapula coverage.

I think there was a thread not so long ago about these and some links to some video reviews. I think Sportbike Track Gear did a comparo