| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
My Race suit has one of the standard built in spine protectors:  It appears that they now make an upgrade with a higher quality 7 plated design protector that replaces the original one:  Do you all (gear guru's) think this is a lagit and worthwhile upgrade, or is it more a marketing gimic, and the only truely effective upgraded spine protectors are the full size ones like these:   For reference, My suit is Teknic, and all pictures posted here are Teknic parts. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Ditch the one in the suit. It's just foam padding. Get a "full sized" one. I pulled mine out of my suit. When it comes to the spine protectors, don't skimp. I've seen them do their job first hand. WELL worth the money. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The advantage I see in the separate back protector is that it is more secure in how it's secured to the body. There isn't much room for movement in a leather race suit, but there is a little. I doubt there is much difference in price, I'd spring for the separate race belt version. | ||
| Diablobrian |
The upgraded spine protector can be the difference between walking away from a really nasty crash and being stuck in a wheelchair. This is a perfectly legitimate upgrade and worth every penny. As F_B says, the aftermarket spine protector is attached to your body. Usually through backpack style straps and a waist strap so that it stays in place over your spinal column. I highly recommend the Knox spine protectors. They have earned a solid reputation. | ||
| Cereal |
I have the Knox one pictured above. It's surprisingly comfortable. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have the Dainese protector:  It's very comfortable. I hardly know it's on. What's better is that with the twin waist belts, it's quite slimming.  | ||
| Henrik |
The of mention "race suit" makes me think an upgrade would be a good idea. I ditched my Vanson back protector and did a bit of research: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/229094.html?1158866009 I ended up getting one of these: http://www.johnsonleather.com/forcefield_back_prot ector.htm Really like it too. It has passed the highest EU back protector ratings: EN1621-2:2003 and EN340:2003, many other back protectors - if they have been tested at all - only pass the lower rating. The fact that the T-Pro impact absorbing material doesn't crumble with a hit - that's how many other armor products absorb impact - and will take several hits won me over. So in short - yep, replace it. Henrik | ||
| Interex2050 |
Ft_bstrd, Have the same one, well almost (different straps)... And I have personally tested it, and it worked like a charm. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Good to hear Interex! It seems pretty substantial. I looked at the wider ones, but they didn't feel very comfortable and didn't breathe as well. I think that picture is of the old design. Mine is a little different as well. | ||
| Interex2050 |
There is one that I liked that was wider, although I cannot remember the manufacturer, but what made it nice is that it had a "hinge"... | ||
| Ceejay |
Mike5000-I have the second one down in your pics. I don't wear it as much as I should, but I did wear it to that inside pass event. Other than when I put it on I never noticed it, and despite the pic it looks very substantial. At first I thought it should have backpack type straps but after putting it on they really don't seem to need them. Also after seeing a few others put thiers on it appeared to be that the straps did little by way of holding it to your body-which has lead me into looking for a way to attach mine to my jacket actually. New enough had a sale on them for 30 bucks which is how I ended up with mine. Well worth it IMO. | ||
| Ceejay |
That one I referenced has a nice wide belt on it too, which is very similar to a kidney belt | ||
| Djkaplan |
I use the Knox back protector (pictured above) under my Vanson jacket and Teknic pants. The protector goes inside the pants, not outside as is shown on some catalog pics. I try not to ride agressively without it. I haven't tested its impact absorbsion capability yet. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I try not to ride aggressively without it. I don't think I remember seeing it at Buelltoberfest. I don't think I want to be there when you ride Aggressively. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
AAHHHH CRAP! I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I HATE Iron Pony. I WAS GOING TO wait till spring, and look for a mid range, $80-$120 spine protector for MB5 and the summer track days. But how can I justify doing that, when I can get this TOP of the line spine guard... KNOX RICOCHETTE SPINE GUARD Pricing: $179.99 (US), $249.99 (CAN) Full competition spec CE racing spine guard. - 8 linked plates with closed energy dispersion cells. - Far exceeds new EN1621-2 new CE standards, even in repeated impacts. - Breathable comfort backing. - Fully adjustable, elastic shoulder and waist straps For only $89.99 at stupid Iron Pony. Guess I'll be making a trip out there this afternoon. There is a down side to buying all this closeout Teknic gear from the pony though... I'm now in desperate need of replacement toe sliders for my boots, and I'm not having any luck at all finding them. looks like I might have to make up some custom toe sliders. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
That's a great deal! I think you will be happier with that solution and will definitely be safer with the full protector instead of just the insert. Whenever I have "extra" money, I go looking for more protective gear. Faster bike mods are great until something goes wrong. I'd rather have spent the money on gear that helps make the "sudden deceleration sickness" less damaging than adding a few more miles per hour to the impact. | ||
| Djkaplan |
That's the one I use Mike. It took me awhile to get used to it, but now I feel naked riding without it. It breathes a lot better than you'd think under your jacket. Hope I never have to find out how good it works. | ||
| Henrik |
Knox makes good gear - great deal. And I thought you made "custom" toe sliders from duct tape ... no?  Henrik | ||
| Djkaplan |
Someone at Buelltoberfest asked for some duct tape and we stared in amazement that a man would go anywhere without it... ... and then five of us offered to lend our tape at the same time. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
And I thought you made "custom" toe sliders from duct tape ... no? Not me. I looked at all the options at the pony, they have 4 or 5 of them. I came back to the large one posted above in the end. It's a hell of a piece! I also found a bin full of toe sliders for the teknic boots, and picked up 5 sets of replacements for mine. (I went completely through one set at a single track day, and I guess they're outdated boots, so I'll probably never see them again). It was another good day at the pony.... dangit. | ||
| Yttikcat |
I wear a Belstaff jacket with a Knox spine guard that slides into the jacket. It sounds like what everyone is saying is that you need a spine guard that is separate piece of equipment so that it can be buckled down for tighter protection. Is this correct? I checked Iron Pony but did not see any girl sizes on clearance.  | ||
| Henrik |
Mike; it was one of those general "yous" not you you as such. I've been known to patch ground down gear with duct tape. Barbara; I don't think the back protector *has* to be strapped to you. I'm thinking it'll depend on how well or how snugly your jacket fits. The risk is that the protector will shift and not protect your spine in a crash. In some cases the spine protector that comes with jackets is only so-so, so people decide to upgrade. Henrik | ||
| Cataract2 |
Any back protectors that breath and would make good street riding gear? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Mine breathes pretty well, but when it's hot, I do sweat under it. My shirt always has a nice salt outline of my back protector. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Pricing: $179.99 (US), $249.99 (CAN) I paid full price for the Knox. Very comfortable and breathable. Money well spent.(not tested) $89 is a freakin steal for that piece! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Mike; it was one of those general "yous" not you you as such. Wow, after reading it again, it made much more sense. I've got no excuse for that one, wide awake and everything. I checked Iron Pony but did not see any girl sizes on clearance. They are mostly all one size fits most. The two I like from the pony were the one I purchased, the big knox one... and the red one posted in the original post. I don't know what size/shape you are... but I'm small. Waist: 28 Height: 5' 8" And both these back protectors fit me just fine. $89 is a freakin steal for that piece! They've got about 50 of them left. | ||
| Henrik |
No worries Mike, it's all good  The T-Pro is made from "web"-like material and seems to breathe ok - certainly better than my old Vanson and the shit Bohn I wasted $$ on. Henrik | ||
| Yttikcat |
Mikef5000, I wondered about the size thing, but I went to the website for the Knox gear and I think they said (and I am remembering from last night) that a girls has 6 sections and a guys has 8 sections. I am 5'4" and about 120 lbs. Do you know any girls around my size that could try on yours and let me know? I am going to the International Motorcycle Show this weekend and thought that I would look at the spine protectors and the winter gloves. Any good suggestions on winter gloves? Thanks, | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I'm also in need of some winter gloves. I have some that are medium weight and comfortable, and I have some heavy weight ones that are NOT comfortable on the bike. I could snap some picture of my girl friend in the protector. She's close to your size. The label says the protector is 51cm tall, and a waist of 24-42". (Message edited by mikef5000 on November 01, 2007) | ||
| Yttikcat |
let me know how it fits her. I appreciate everyone's feedback. | ||
| Henrik |
Mike; may I suggest installing grip heaters. That way you may be able to get away with your medium gloves and still be comfortable. I'm using the stick-on "rear window defroster" style heaters that go under the grips. Initial wiring is a bit of a pain, but for $30 it's a worthwhile farkle. Even better with the new design that eliminates the big resistor and has different heat output for left and right grip: compensates for the left side being mounted directly on the bar vs. on the throttle barrel on the right and the difference in heat loss because of that. Henrik |
