Back protectors?

[chasio]

... I've spotted a REV'IT jacket insert at motomail for $80, it's CE-2 although looks like a large sponge so don't get how that works.

Does fit in your jacket? Or do you need to wear it under your jacket? Looks good for the price!

I'm weary of the protectors that fit into back pockets. Even if they're decent build they more than likely won't have quite as much tail coverage and would move around with the jacket.

I use one of the Revit upgrade inserts for convenience when speeds aren't likely to be that high. It replaces the foam pad (largely useless I am sure) in the inner pocket and the layering makes it a lot harder than you'd expect from the looks of it.

Combined with a Dainese waist belt with some armour, I reckon the two together is pretty good and is cooler plus easier to remove and store when off the bike than a long back protector with shoulder and waist straps. Downside is that this combo lacks the protection against overextension that a properly made long one has.

But I also have the RJays longer one from MM that seems OK. I have used that at ART and for rides I thought had a higher "off chance" e.g. adventuring.

I'd rather have one or other of these approaches than nothing, myself. Each to his own

[Jayman]

Thanks again all, I've just ordered the AXO Race Shell, which seems to offer a nice balance between affordability and protection (from what I can see anyway; CE-1).

From what I have read there does seems to be some debate about the effectiveness of these things. That is, it probably wont save a life. But, if you take a bit of a tumble it only makes sense that having a bit more armor over a vulnerable part of the body could prevent or reduce some injury, which is worth the effort (gloves and boots wont save your life either!). Now I guess we'll see how comfortable/hot it is and how often I am likely to actually wear the thing!

[Milts]

Good move buying something with a test certification. As you say, it's a balance between the best and what you can afford.

The guy who runs the MotoTT track days swears by high quality back protectors - reckons he wouldn't be walking without his.

My understanding is that if you slide into a post at high speed, they're unlikely to stop you snapping your back in half. But, if you highside, or slide into a kerb, rock etc at medium speed, they'll prevent you fracturing your spine/ribs/tailbone which IMO is well worth the money.

I'd keep an eye out on trademe for second hand Level 2 certified back protectors in case one goes cheap. I think there's quite a difference in amount of energy absorbed between lvl 1 and 2, but you are worlds better off having a lvl 1 protector than some untested, uncertified piece of cheap packing foam and plastic like some of the ones available.

[Erelyes]

Good move buying something with a test certification. As you say, it's a balance between the best and what you can afford.

The guy who runs the MotoTT track days swears by high quality back protectors - reckons he wouldn't be walking without his.

My understanding is that if you slide into a post at high speed, they're unlikely to stop you snapping your back in half. But, if you highside, or slide into a kerb, rock etc at medium speed, they'll prevent you fracturing your spine/ribs/tailbone which IMO is well worth the money.

I'd keep an eye out on trademe for second hand Level 2 certified back protectors in case one goes cheap. I think there's quite a difference in amount of energy absorbed between lvl 1 and 2, but you are worlds better off having a lvl 1 protector than some untested, uncertified piece of cheap packing foam and plastic like some of the ones available.

Level 1 : average of several tests below 18 kN, and no single value over 24 kN.
Level 2 : average of several tests below 9 kN, and no single value over 12 kN.

There are two protectors that offer under 4kN average (Forcefield Pro Sub4 at 3.38kN and Tryonic Feel 3.7 at 3.7kN)

[Jayman]

Well the AXO back protector arrived today, I'm impressed by the speed of delivery so well done Torpedo7. It's very light weight, and if it didn't have the CE rating on it I would seriously question if there is any benefit to it at all. Seems like a token gesture really, being as light and flimsy as it is, but as it has the rating I'll take it that an informed group of qualified people would say it offers benefit. From the videos, looks like the REV'IT insert is similarly thin. I guess I just though they would need more padding, as that is usually how these things are done. Once the cashflow recovers I think I'll head on down to MM and have a look and feel at some of the others here have suggested, but for now I'm happy to have a CE back protector for under $80.

[nzspokes]

I own a back protector myself - but in reality I think there value is almost worthless for the protection they offer.

That's very wrong and terrible advise.

A back protector is not for slide resistance. That's what your outer shell is for, eg leathers.

My partner hit a car at high speed. Was thrown 20m at 100kph. She had an oxford back protector on. She cracked L5. But L5 was outside of the protected area. There were many other traumatic injuries but due to great gear she survived, just. Just is enough for me. The good outer shell protected her skin. Back protector kept her able to move and slowly get back walking. Quality helmet and boots meant there were no injuries there. Gloves were stuffed but no damage to her hands.

I strongly believe my girl sits next to me each day due to each part of this gear. I wear a a full length Spidi back protector, all the time when on the bike.

Wear the gear for the slide not for the ride.

[SPP]

I guess you should consider what you want a back protector to do for you (apart from give you entry into AMCC ART day).
For track days the, IMHO, requirement is to offer some abrasion resistance for your back in case your gear separates or wears through, I haven't seen any back protectors that would offer serious abrasion resistance. Most seem to be made from plastic that looks like it would wear very quickly. So failing that, the simple plastic back protectors with inter-locking plates to prevent you being bent backwards seem a reasonable option.

Some probably do but I'm picking they'd be spendy. Abrasion resistance is what your leathers are for and why two-piece gear must zip together. Ignoring that, the cheap BP's on TM might be okay or they might be shit, who knows.

Well the AXO back protector arrived today, I'm impressed by the speed of delivery so well done Torpedo7. It's very light weight, and if it didn't have the CE rating on it I would seriously question if there is any benefit to it at all. Seems like a token gesture really, being as light and flimsy as it is, but as it has the rating I'll take it that an informed group of qualified people would say it offers benefit. From the videos, looks like the REV'IT insert is similarly thin. I guess I just though they would need more padding, as that is usually how these things are done. Once the cashflow recovers I think I'll head on down to MM and have a look and feel at some of the others here have suggested, but for now I'm happy to have a CE back protector for under $80.

I guessing you have a jacket with plenty of space. There's nothing stopping you from using the jacket's back pad and the AXO protector until you're rich. 1+1 might not equal CE2 but...

A back protector is not for slide resistance. That's what your outer shell is for, eg leathers.

Yeah, leathers or not fall off.

[G4L4XY]

That's very wrong and terrible advise.

A back protector is not for slide resistance. That's what your outer shell is for, eg leathers.

My partner hit a car at high speed. Was thrown 20m at 100kph. She had an oxford back protector on. She cracked L5. But L5 was outside of the protected area. There were many other traumatic injuries but due to great gear she survived, just. Just is enough for me. The good outer shell protected her skin. Back protector kept her able to move and slowly get back walking. Quality helmet and boots meant there were no injuries there. Gloves were stuffed but no damage to her hands.

I strongly believe my girl sits next to me each day due to each part of this gear. I wear a a full length Spidi back protector, all the time when on the bike.

Wear the gear for the slide not for the ride.

And reading things like this makes one think a bit more about what might happen and the seriousness of it all.

[nzspokes]

And reading things like this makes one think a bit more about what might happen and the seriousness of it all.

Its as real as it gets. If she had skin loss they would not have been able to keep up with the blood loss which was on the limits as it was.

And the Fire crew, Ambos and Westpac chopper staff are the best there is.

[Erelyes]

I own a back protector myself - but in reality I think there value is almost worthless for the protection they offer.

I'm not sure whether you are saying that they are worthwhile but expensive, or whether you're saying they are pointless.

But given that 11% of riders that crash get spinal injuries I think their worth is underrated. (consider how many crashes are low speed bins and that 11% starts looking a bit daunting).

Maybe I'm justifying the couple hundy I recently spent on my Kevlar L2K... that said, I don't see anyone selling replacement spines

[nzspokes]

I'm not sure whether you are saying that they are worthwhile but expensive, or whether you're saying they are pointless.

But given that 11% of riders that crash get spinal injuries I think their worth is underrated. (consider how many crashes are low speed bins and that 11% starts looking a bit daunting).

Maybe I'm justifying the couple hundy I recently spent on my Kevlar L2K... that said, I don't see anyone selling replacement spines

Mine cost $350 I think, and happy to replace it as soon as it looks worn. I like to be able to walk.

[p.dath]

That's very wrong and terrible advise.

A back protector is not for slide resistance. That's what your outer shell is for, eg leathers.

You'll see that one of the reasons that AMCC stipulate back protectors for ART days (which is what this thread is about) is for abrasion resistance in case the leathers separate. So I think you'll find we both agree on the point you have made.

Wear the gear for the slide not for the ride.

Perhaps you meant to say wear it for the impact.

[p.dath]

I'm not sure whether you are saying that they are worthwhile but expensive, or whether you're saying they are pointless.

I'm saying they are almost pointless.

But given that 11% of riders that crash get spinal injuries I think their worth is underrated. (consider how many crashes are low speed bins and that 11% starts looking a bit daunting).

Maybe I'm justifying the couple hundy I recently spent on my Kevlar L2K... that said, I don't see anyone selling replacement spines

My suspicion is that if everyone of those riders had a back protector just under 11% of them would still have spinal injuries. The problem is that back protectors don't offer very much protection. Usually the most you can hope for is to have the seriousness of your injury reduced.

[nzspokes]

I'm saying they are almost pointless.

Its not often these days im stunned on KB. This is one of those times.

[Kickaha]

I'm saying they are almost pointless.

I'm saying they're not, and having been down the track several times including one time I was hit in the back by another bike I wouldn't even think about going on my road bike without one

AMCC may stipulate back protectors for abrasion resistance but that isn't there function