What are back protectors actually meant to do?

[HD]

Obviosuly they are meant to protect your back/spine but I recently saw the "Knox Kompakt" and though hang on, you can bend yourself around a tree because it is so flexible.

This leads me to the question, are they for impact? Are they for stopping you arching backwards? Are they for both*?

Thanks

*Then the Knox Kompakt fails miserably.
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[Itchy]

Its supposed to reduce the amount of energy transfered from impact to spine.... thus in theory preventing breakage.

It does reduce some impact damage as I was being beaten up in Azerbaijan my back was not as bruised as the rest of me after they started kicking me about.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[woll]

I thought it was so that if you were sliding down the road on your back it got worn away instead of your spine. Could be wrong though.
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Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[deleted111]

Never worn one or even looked into them tbh but I was always of the impression that they're designed to spread impact?

Like, instead of BANG (a blow to a specific location in the back)

its more like DUFF (a blow to the back with impact evened out so it's the same 'smaller' impact all round instead of a BANG in one place).

Sorry, I'm tired.

[Clanger]

I think the name gives it away slightly.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Ariel Badger]

They absorb energy and distribute it over a large area rather than a single impact point.
If I am going in a straight line I am bareback, Hill Climbing I wear a protector.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[deleted111]

[Ariel Badger]

[pinkyfloyd]

My textile winter jacket has a big piece of high density foam built into the back. kind of feels weird when I first put it on but if it stops my skin from turning to mush if i fall off then I'm fine with it.

Back protector..... does exactly what it says on the tin
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[TUG]

I would of imagined they protect your fucking back by absorbing impact and keeping your back straight.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[HD]

So they aren't really designed to stop you flexing but to absorb the impact? Thanks guys. And what does everyone think of the knox kompatkt? Do people wear them on a day to day basis or just long rides? How many people wear neckbraces/when?


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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[Paxovasa]

I wear my back protector every time I go out on a bike.

If I was able to foretell the future then I would only wear it when I know I would need to. But until I can foretell the future I will continue to wear it every time I ride a bike
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Itchy]

Well there are two schools of thought about that though pax Gaz never wore anything other than a helmet. He said if you wear anything else you are tempting fate because you risk compensate. Much like people in 4x4s drive like cnuts because they don't think they'll be hurt when they crash.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.