Knox Back Protectors

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hey,
I've been looking at back protectors for the last six months but I havent yet taken the initiative. Ive read stories about them saving people etc and think its an investment I should make sooner rather than later. Does anyone have any experiences to share with Knox gear, especially someone who has bought one. What is it like to live with, is it easy to get on and off? Bad points? comfort? Sizes and fit?

Would ideally like to pick one up cheap from ebay, perhaps off some weekend warrior thats hung up his boots and save some cash, otherwise I live not far from the factory where there made and perhaps could pick one up cheap. Any advice appreciated!! Thumbs Up

Rollins · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Karma :

Have a look here, some useful info.
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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Do your leathers have any protection at the moment? By that I mean shoulders, elbows etc.

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hi,

yeah ive got protection all over. My jacket has back, elbow, shoulder all CE plus some pads for the kidneys etc. Although looking at the back protector its just styraform padding. Im fairly well protected all over apart form probably the second most important part - my back! Im looking at getting a one piece at the bike show next week and i will be looking for extra protection as I fancy a few track blasts next year. The only company I know that make them are Knox, they are a local company and supply racers and stuff, I just want to know if they will offer the protection they claim and wont add ten minutes to my journey while im trying to get it on! (the back protector that is!)

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I've got one of those Knox rollup ones - pretty comfy cos it's reasonably flexible and I certainly didn't hurt my back when I fell off.

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

nice CBR bendy, ive got the red and blue version (think the black/yellow is nicer tho Wink

mine just came along at the right price plenty off CC's for not many £ £'s) Ive seen the roll up ones on ebay and stuff they just don't look to encompass you like the over the shoulder fixed things. They have kidney protectors and all sorts. The thing that turned me onto them was an article in ride. A guy had claimed to low side on a back road at 60 and land on a tree stump, said it crushed the Knox and he couldnt walk properly for a few days but probably saved him!

bath of kylies · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

I've used a Knox protector for a couple of years. It looks a bit like this one from their latest range.

Fit is great, easy to get on under leathers, lots of confidence. Haven't tested it yet though (phew).

If I had to find a fault, it's that after a track session (but not normally on the road - must be something to do with moving around on the bike more) the small strap that goes across my chest to stop the two shoulder straps slipping can ride up. Easily fixed with a safety pin.

Your post triggered a thought though - is body armour like helmets - you should replace it after a crash ? Just a thought if you are buying second hand off E-Bay Question

RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I've got an Alpinestars back protector that I bought about a year ago, after my off.

It was the only bit of protective kit that I hadn't got, and I wasn't willing to risk having another accident and being as lucky as I was.

It's similar to the Knox stuff, with the exception that there is a plastic hinged 'spine' (think like an armadillo's armour) down the middle of the protector.

To start off with it was a complete pain in the arse to get on and off (I have a 1 piece race suit), but I persevered and now it doesn't take me any longer to get suited up than when I didn't have it.

I wouldn't be without mine, and never go anywhere without my full gear
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

If you search on the forum you'll find TC not being too keen on the really hard ones, for road use anyway. I believe mainly cos they can catch on 'road furniture' and being solid will transmit the force straight up to the base of your neck.

craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

ive had a knox protector for a few years now...had 3 crashes wearing it so far no back injuries, did its job particullarly good when i slid backwards into a car....that would have really hurt if it wasnt for the knox Laughing

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jay12329 · Dr. Evil Joined: 02 May 2003 Karma :

Hi,
I've got a Knox protector, it looks a bit like the pic posted above but i has some added protection for the kidney areas. Now i'm used to it i dont notice i'm waring it. After sliding on my back quite a distance at silverstone i can say i didnt feel a thing! I wont ride with out it on the track and most of the time on the road i have it on.
HTH
J

swaffs · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Having recently had an 'off' and still getting back pain 2 weeks later, it's my next purchase !!
Embarassed

As a short ass, I need to try some on to find the right size, however once I know what size, I think ebay will be getting a visit.

Swaffs
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

paulyzf600 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Karma :

I have a Dainese back protecter. It's a good one as you can take sections out for fitting to shorter ppl, liek said above the only thing is the strap that goes around the waist rides up sometimes.

As for the Hein Gericke armour I have a mate with it and am not convinced at all one little test we tried was putting my armour on the table and banging your elbow on it with the soft rubbery stuff it does'nt take any shock at all!!! not sure what thats all about (ok I know thats not a proper test but if it hurts just naging your elbow on the table then I would'nt want to fall of the bike with it. Anyway thats my opinion!
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

That was my initial opinion when I seen it, it doesn't look much at all. Maybe the guy in the shop was leading me up the garden path. It's all CE approved though.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I've got Hein Gericke trousers with Hiprotec in the hips while my jacket has much thicker stuff on the shoulders and elbows. When I fell off I landed right on my side (so shoulder and hip took most of the impact) and I was damn impressed that my hip was about the only part of me that *didn't* hurt the next day. So as far as I'm concerned, that stuff works.

jay12329 · Dr. Evil Joined: 02 May 2003 Karma :

When I came off I went down quite heavily on my right hand side. Like bendy my hip and shoulder took the most of the impact. I have HG leathers with Hiprotec in them, the next day I noticed on my arm shoulder and hi I had some small round red marks from where the amour contacted my skin, those were the only buses I had! It worked really well! It comes with the added bonus that it doesn’t restrict movement like hard type amour, my old jacket had hard stuff and the new one is 1000 times more comfortable.
HTH
J