Back protectors

Author
Discussion

George29

Original Poster:

14,706 posts

163 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Can anyone recommend me a back protector?

Never had one before, but just joined NoLimits racing for next year and it's one of the requirements.

Not too fussed about cost, I just want one that's not bulky and doesn't restrict movement in any way.

grahamr88

421 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Forcefield are the ones that are usually recommended. I've had one for a few years and it's very comfortable, I hardly notice I'm wearing it. Can't comment on it's protection thankfully, but it's meant to be good.

Yazza54

18,464 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Bloody hell, haven't you been racing for the last year?

I feel naked if I go out without my back protector, almost like tempting fate.

To answer the question I have a forcefield one, with proper Velcro waist and over shoulder elastic straps. Supposed to be good but hope I never have to find out if it works. Feels fine on the bike, not restrictive or anything.

Edited by Yazza54 on Thursday 20th November 14:32

George29

Original Poster:

14,706 posts

163 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Yazza54 said:
Bloody hell, haven't you been racing for the last year?
I have. It's not a requirement to have one though. Never really considered one before.

Will have a look at the Forcefield one this weekend.

Yazza54

18,464 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
George29 said:
I have. It's not a requirement to have one though. Never really considered one before.

Will have a look at the Forcefield one this weekend.
I know, just seems nuts not to wear one mate, but you're still here and walking wink

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I use a oxford max, not sure if they still sell them.
The medic at Mallory said if it can be twisted, then its not doing its job.
He wrote on tdr about the subject.


grahamr88

421 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Shadow R1 said:
The medic at Mallory said if it can be twisted, then its not doing its job.
They're designed to resist impact, not twisting or overextension!

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Forcefield - eh, never really had a crash where my back hit anything bar the ground so cant comment.

Pros

its well priced,
looks good,
takes up no room whatsoever,
can take up to 8 crashes before you need to replace it,
comfy feels like your wearing nothing,
shapes to your body,
meant to be one of if not the best you can buy.

cons

you feel naked not using one.

I gave my Dad an alpinestars one, he's never had it on. I even offered to buy him one for fk all when he got his bike just so he had some protection, he refused. Why people don't wear back protectors is beyond me, scares me stless the thought of breaking my back, id sooner die.

I remember reading a post from a guy sat in hospital with a broken back after a crash asking if wearing one would have prevented this. Very fking sobering.

Yazza54

18,464 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
+100

TommyBuoy

1,269 posts

166 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Forcefield Again.

Level 2 protection. Feels odd not wearing it, just don't like the fact the bottom part ocassionally sticks out over my trousers...not a reson not to wear one.

Mate of mine laughs at me weraing it - helmet, gloves, armour over joints and a back protector are essentials, protective clothing a close second. Personally never ride without any of them.

George29

Original Poster:

14,706 posts

163 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
grahamr88 said:
They're designed to resist impact, not twisting or overextension!
I thought the whole point of them was to prevent overextension? Don't they just bend one way but not the other?

Johnny50

543 posts

171 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
I remember reading a post from a guy sat in hospital with a broken back after a crash asking if wearing one would have prevented this. Very fking sobering.
100% agree!

I wasn't wearing one when i had my off, and as you know i broke my back.

I'll be getting a Forcefield one when i'm back on the road.

Tim85

1,742 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I wear a dianese one. £130 or something . It's got the stomach Velcro and shoulder adjustment thingys. As above theyre like ear plugs. Once you start wearing them it feels wowed without.

The only annoyance I've had on one track day and a road ride out was because it covers the very top of your arse I must of moved funny and the bottom of it tucked under my boxers elastic. It's was annoying as feck as it rubbed slightly felt annoying and all the sweat ran down and pooled right in my arse crack. As you probably know it's impossible to scratch your arse in a one piece so the only way to u hook it of my boxers was to take both my arms out which is just a pain. Or I could of got a random stranger to reach into my leathers and give me some sort of sweaty reverse reach around thing.

Weird story but it happened.

grahamr88

421 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
George29 said:
I thought the whole point of them was to prevent overextension? Don't they just bend one way but not the other?
Not really; some of the hard ones will only bend one way, but the Forcefield ones are fairly flexible both ways. There's a risk that limiting extension of your back will just transfer force to your neck, which is even more vulnerable.

Landing on a kerb, or taking a footpeg etc to the back isn't an unlikely occurrence in a crash, and without a back protector could do a lot of damage.

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
George29 said:
grahamr88 said:
They're designed to resist impact, not twisting or overextension!
I thought the whole point of them was to prevent overextension? Don't they just bend one way but not the other?
Nope, the Forcefield is very flexible, it moves with you but protects your spine and kidneys from impact. Don't even know I've got mine on...

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Found it, its a post by defblade, quoting what docJohn said.

10th post down. smile

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

mckeann

2,986 posts

228 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I have the big cushiony soft Knox. Very comfy when its on but it does take up a bit of space in the leathers. I dont notice i'm wearing it.

Freakuk

3,105 posts

150 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Had a Knox on for a few years, plenty of crashes (racing) and no issues, I've just replaced this due to age more than anything with the latest forcefield equivalent based on recent tests etc, so far so good, touh wood no crashes to test.

Wildfire

9,774 posts

251 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Forcefield Sport Lite 2 for me. Comfortable and a bit odd at first. The only times I don't wear it is when I've got a rucksack on and the jacket I wear has a Knox insert in it already.

toxgobbler

2,903 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Just to buck the trend, I have one of these: http://www.planet-knox.com/en/product/fast-back-bi... comfy - although not crash tested, but it did do 18 laps of the Nordschleife, so clearly a lucky charm or something.