Knox Armour

[Jon]

Anyone use Knox armour?

I was originally going to by the Ricochet back-protector

https://www.planet-knox.co.uk/Knox/ricochet.asp

but have come across the Cross Shirt 1

https://www.planet-knox.co.uk/Knox/cross_shirt_I.asp

Question is would you think the back-protector in this is at similar standards as the above back-protector?

Pretty sure I'm going for the cross_shirt as it has armour in chest, elbows, shoulders, and back. Ideal for offroading, supermoto and track use (my new leathers have poor armour). Just unsure the back-protector would be ideal for track-use

I know the shirt is expensive but I really need to start wearing gear to stop or atleast help against serious injury)

Cheers

[MarJay]

Is this on the road or pitbike?

TC posted a little while ago saying that hard back protectors could potentially cause more harm than good. I have a CE Foam one in my Crowtree leathers, and its really nice. Comfy, and I know its protective.

I hear some of the hard ones have been known to crush vertebrae when there is intervention from road furniture or other object...
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Bendy]

I got the Knox rollup one, kinda intended to wear it on the road but in practice I rarely do. Do wear it on the track though and I certainly didn't damage myself when I came off so who knows.

The rollup ones are fairly flexible, so I reckon they're a good compromise between the really rigid ones and plain foam.

I'll say though, the main reason I don't wear it on road is that kinda shoves my shoulder armour up a bit and I can't turn my head as far as I can without.

[Jon]

Would be for pitbiking (offroading,stunting,supermoto stylee!) trackdays on the Hornet and possibly some use on the road.

Interesting about the hard back protectors, think I remember reading something about that before.

[Bendy]

Just a thought Jon... if you want to borrow mine for Brands to try it out, you're more than welcome.

[Jon]

I *think* the built-in back protector (on the shirt) is semi-soft but the plates are the hard plastic thingys. Not 100% though.

[Jon]

[Villers]

I use the KC back protector, think its KC-2000. I was measured up for it specially and it fits like a glove. The other back protector you mentioned was on show at the KNox stands at the NEC. I always end up having a chat as they recgnise my acent (from a town next to mine!) and they told me for track riding and sportsbike road-riding, that the KC was better overall. If the KC had been more expensive I maybe wouldnt have taken that as fact but it was cheaper. Once on its very comfortable and doeasnt dig into the base of your neck, infact its quite a good bit away from it. get it to fit perfectly and it is very reassuring, the waist band actually keeps you warm and you fel like someone is hugging you from behind!

On the downside its best to check it with your leathers on beofre you buy as I only just got away with it fiting under my one piece.

The shirt looks like a good option but at £129 seems a bit on the expensive side. Try the Hein Gericke alternatives, they have excellent build quality and normall a very competetive price!

good luck and happy pitbiking!

[Noggin]

I got the KC-2000 race off ebay for 66 quid including p&p- brand new. Fits really well and after my recent off, the naff one in my leathers is out, and when I fix the bike I will start wearing it. Its really comfy!



Craig G(Noggin)
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Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Jon]

Thanks for the advice

It is a bit expensive but I do get Knox gear at trade price (25% off) so that brings it down to under £100. Still expensive though.

I'm sure I'd be able to fit it under my leathers, infact, I could probably fit another 5 or 6 on top of that

[Andy99]

I use one of the older Knox back protectors,with hard kevlar panels on a hard foam back. I've only had to use it once (i'm glad to say) and it worked very well,a friend hit an armco back first at about 70mph wearing a hard back protector and walked away,granted is wasn't a direct hit.
I suppose a very hard back protector without foam would just transfer the shock straight to the spine without obsorbing any of the impact...is that what TC was saying Marjay?
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Nothing gets the point across quite like a raised middle digit.

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[jay12329]

I have a knox protectore I cant remember what its called but it has a pod ike system running down the spine, and goes much further down then others i've seen. It also offers protection for the kidney area with a pod on each side. When i came off and slid over things on my back i didnt feel a thing. You can have a look at mine at brands as well as bendys.
HTH
J

[MarJay]

[Bendy]

I thought it was more to do with them possible catching on 'road furniture' and being forced upwards to impact the base of your neck.

Something which is unlikely to happen on track due to the smoothness of the surface - no drain covers or cats eyes for it to possibly catch on.

[MarJay]

[Bendy]

Not as clearly as I did.

[mchaggis]

[Bendy]

Wouldn't fancy your chances with or without on that.

But in terms of catching on it, they're usually fairly smoothly transitioned from the tarmac, so without 'catch your protector and ram it into your neck' edges.

[Jon]

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