Are back protectors worth it?

[.....]

After reading a post over on VD about a poor chap coming off his bike and possibly being paralysed from the waist down my mind wandered onto back protectors.

Do any of you wear them while riding on the road?

Are they proven to actually offer and increased protection from damaging your back?

How do you know what is a good/bad one?

Any recommended manufacturers?

Thanks

[dodsi]

The Forcefield back protector is well rated...

https://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=2136

I just have a hipprotec one in my hein gericke jacket and a knox one in my scott jacket.

[Whosthedaddy]

See a bloke riding in just a tee shirt, flapping in the wind and it made me thin k about riding with a back protector under my clothes.

These topics may help:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=87317&highlight=back+protectors
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=83372&highlight=back+protectors
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=82495&highlight=back+protectors
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=78271&highlight=back+protectors
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[fast_tzr]

I personally think they are underrated and more people should wear them, I know of one bloke who came off and because of the way he landed, had he not been wearing his, he would have almost certainly been paralysed.
Having said that I don't wear one, but may invest in one

[Whosthedaddy]

Before my spill I would'nt have even thought about one, but now my opinions have changed slightly in I can still see and feel myself sliding down the road.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[KyleH]

theese things are vvv expensive bulky take more effort to wear and are less practical for a 5 or 10 minute ride to work, id say sunday bikers use them
daily bikers your rididng style and your technique protect you so keep it up,
+ spinal damage can happen from twisting all the armour in the world (except metal knights armour) wouldnt help. Ive got a KNOX dealy in the back of my jacket anyway as standard

[Sparks!]

I reckon they are worth it.... not all of them are big and bulky either, I saw a furygan one in J&S that looked pretty lightweight and comfy despite still being full back protection... I'm definetly going to get one especially after reading that post on visordown, such a shame about his injuries..

I don't really ride on the road any more, when I get my truck I probably won't at all... but for slow speed stunting it's a lot of impact if you fall off so I think a back protector is definetly a good idea.

[dainesefreak]

[KyleH]

[paulthewitt]

not the most practical of things for short rides (have hiprotec back armour in the jacket), but definately want one for going up and down the motorway when i go to uni.

Paul

[kawakid]

I've always ridden with one, have a small one for going under my leathers a large one for textiles.

The ones that come with jackets aren't much cop in my opinion, just a bit of hard foam, not something that follows your spine.

The main problem with them , is this time of the year ie the heat, my sweat mattern matches my back protector.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[plugger147]

I saw a couple of dainese back protectors today for £40 and after having mild back problems before I think that anything that may reduce it giving me anymore grief is worth way more than £40.
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Tristan the wrote: just whipped off my trousers to find a big bruise on my arse, caused by matt rear ending me...

[tatters]

I,ve got a hard one with a pivoting wasit joint and a kidey belt, only problem is its a pain in the arse so wear while walking so is only good for trackdays, but it could be beacuse its too long?
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[paulyzf600]

how are they not practical for everyday riding? they take about 5 seconds from picing up to fully wearing it to actually put on!
They are'nt bulky and they should follow the contours of your back so are actually really comfy under leathers of jackets.
I always wear one for the sake of 5 seconds it's that little bit more protection.
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Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat

[Jebus]

i have a hiprotec one in my jacket, only road riding i done was my cbt and cant say i remember feeling it, i do fancy getting a more protective one when after i do my big test. but even a piece of fancy foam going to help prevent more injury then ya skin and a few mm of leather when you get chucked off and hit the road!
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2nd time around CBT: 8/9/11
125 Varadero

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

Well they say knox is the best https://www.planet-knox.com/

I should really upgrade mine, i feel alot safer when it is touching my back.
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www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net

[MattHirst]

[Cillit-BANG]

There are many divided opinions on aftermarket back protectors (not talking about basic hyprotec inserts here).

For on the track the are a must and have always worn mine (Knox Ricochet). However for road use there are a lot of detailed investigations where they have actually caused more harm than good. Curb, walls, cars, lamp-posts all have the potential to dislodge the protector and force it up into the back of the head and do serious damage to your neck.

I remember when I first got mine and struggled to get it to fit comfortably before my leathers had stretched to it, it was often sitting way to high and could be felt against my helmet if I lean't my head right back.

So for track use I use one, but rely on the rigid foam Knox one which came fitted in my leathers for use on the road.

[Wooly R6]

i wont ride without my knox ricochet now - just feels so wrong!!!

take a read of these - might just make you buy one now

https://www.planet-knox.com/testimonials.htm

this one seriously makes you think - "Purchased a Knox Back Protector and on my fourth trip on my Pan-European was knocked clean off at a oundabout by "a motorist" £5000 damage to Bike.

Knox Back Protector scratched and gouged by the fittings the traffic bollard was bolted to the road. Had I not been wearing my Kox Back Protector I could well be visiting you this year in a wheelchair!

As ever, these things seem to happen in milliseconds but I do remember having a wry smile after being launched from my seat and feeling the road surface trying to rip my spine from my back.

See you at the next show, on legs!

Thank you very much,

Arthur Jepson"


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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Wooly R6]

here are some scary thoughts -

I landed heavily on my back at the side of the road, on top of a recently cut down tree. It was about 8-10cms in diameter and about 30cm high. As I landed it speared me in my right side, slightly bruising my kidney and fracturing small bones called transverse process on three vertebra in the lumbar area. Fortunately my injuries should have no long term effects and even now are easing greatly

I pushed a little too hard and at Coppice corner and the next I know I'm sliding along on my back (70-80 mph get off) along the track, over the rumble strip and 20 yards or so into the gravel trap....and walked away without as much as a bruise

according to the Police at the scene and the hospital staff, if it wasn’t for the back protector, I would have been killed
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Villers]

For the sake of a hundred quid and ten seconds to put it on I believe they are well worth it. Having used mine in a highside I feel a lot better knowing it is there rather than sitting under the bed.

I wear mine everyday for the 12 mile commute, or under a jacket going into town. If it fits well it shouldnt interfere at all. Mines a knox KC2000 and its spot on.
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[chalky143]

when i get on my bigger bike i will invest in one i think...better being safe than sorry.
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Current bike :: sv650 minitwin race bike
Previous bikes::cbr600 steelie race bike, 1989 Honda vfr750f, 2013 Honda fireblade, 2013 Ducati multistrata 1200s, 2012 Triumph street triple R, 1999 yamaha r6, vfr 800, ducati 600ss, vfr 400x2, ntv 650, bandit 600, cagiva mito 125, aprilia rs 50, honda c90x2, honda hornet 600x2, cbr 600, aprilia rx50, suzuki katana
My bike pics: https://www.bikepics.com/members/chalky143/

[Dark]

I have one and haven't been wearing it recently as its a pain to get my leathers on over it. I should really wear it more so that my leathers have chance to stretch over it.
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[MarkyPancake]

My leathers have full armour, but the back armour doesn't cover the lower part of the back.

I have a back protector and although it's the correct size for my height it feels too long and I wish I bought the size below. It is also a little bulky compared to Knox ones for example so is uncomfortable when wearing a rucksack.

I tend to remove the back armour from my jacket and wear the back protector when I'm riding for fun, ride outs, track days (when I finally do them), etc, but when I'm commuting with my rucksack I just use the jacket's armour.

I will probably buy a better fit and more slim line back protector at some point.

[Method]

There was a thread about this recently where i commented on how i have seen them in action and how i have seen them save lives.

However on sunday i was in a racing accident at a grasstrack meeting. Going round the 1st bend i was being pushed inwards by someone trying to overtake me. He didnt have the power to get round me and was cutting further and further into me, at the same time there was someone up my inside trying to get into a gap that was never there and was never going to develop.

Anyway, the end result was that my front wheel was taken out and i was launched over the handlebars. I did a sumasault and landed on my shoulder, i then hit my head hard and span. Landed onto my back with a lot of brunt and the next thing i remember was laying staring up at the sky.

Now i know that i hit my back with serious force because i felt the back protector clench up and grip around my spine... as the force of me hitting the floor increased, the back protector wrapped and tightened itself around my back and spine and i could feel this in great detail as this part of the fall was going in slow motion for some reason.

Anyway, that back protector saved me from definate spinal / neck injuries, that is without a shadow of a doubt. So not only can i add to this thread by saying that i have "Seen" and "heard" that they are important, i can now say that i have experienced a back protector doing its job extremely well and definately saving me from serious injuries.

For what its worth the back protector in question was from a Dainese Mesh Armour Suit.

So yes, I can safely say that they are proven to provide increased protection from crashes as i have experienced this first hand.

Edit:
You can normally tell a good one by its price, or by its name. Two brands i look for when buying any kind of padding / protection like that are Dainese and Knox. These are the only two names that i trust with my mobility
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