Back protection?

[GAMEDIC]

Are back protectors required?

[Eric Kelcher]

No they are not required but highly recommended. Most suits now have something either built in or as an option.
I like the Bohn back protector concept one use and throw it away it self destructs, so there is no well it still looks good, if you hit it then you get a new one.

[baltobuell]

 Not using one makes no sence at all. Required or not. The intention of a helmet is to not be killed, the intention of a back protector is to not end up paralized. Why would anybody even think about racing without the best they could find. Money is no object on this subject.

[GAMEDIC]

oh i agree...it's just the money thing and my suit has one built in but you know how some sanctions are and want an extra one

[spyderchick]

        The intention of a back protector is to prevent puncture wounds (from something like a foot peg) and to assist in impact and abraision resistance. Nothing can "protect" you against paralyzation. (not even that cool "safety" hump on more pricey leathers)  No "safety gear" is "safe". Gloves blow apart, leathers will tear and a helmet can break. That said, anyone with half a brain cell will wear a quality back protector.  Bottom line on anything "safety" related, spend as much as you can afford on it, replace it when it needs it. You cannot vie for championship points when you are injured.  <spyder chick now steps off the soapbox>
Alexa Krueger
Spyder Leatherworks

[Dawn]

Well said.....   :D

[amaner]

Hey GAMEDIC, I just wanted to take this chance to recommend the Bohn Pro Racer back protector (and NO, I'm not sponsored by them, nor are they paying me).  I had a 140mph front end tuck this past weekend, slid forever, and hit the track edge on my back and didn't feel a darn thing.  I jumped up immediately, much to the amazement of the corner workers around me!  Spend the dough!!!

[GAMEDIC]

Can you tell me where i can look at then and get some prices?

[h00ktern]

http://www.actionstation.com

safe trips,
Dave

[GAMEDIC]

Thanks

[StuartV666]

I have a Bohn Pro Racer, and I have tested it out twice. It has worked fine and I've had no back injuries at all.

However, I probably will not buy another one, and here's why. I was recommending it to someone and another friend of mine listened to my description of it (including the part where it has no hard plastic plates covering the spine) and he said to me "do you think it would keep out a footpeg?"

I had to pause and think, and acknowledge that, no, it won't give anything like the protection from a footpeg coming through it that some of the other high end protectors would, that have plastic plates over the spine.

Imagine a highside where you go up, then come down back first right onto the side of your bike. Then think about what you would want to have covering your back at that point. The leather that is there is to protect from abrasion when you're sliding. You (should) want to have something extra there to keep your spine and back from getting punctured.

So, if you haven't bought one yet, I suggest looking for one that has plastic plates covering the spine. Preferably fairly wide ones that will spread an impact out over as large an area as possible.

I think Helimot makes a good one, and I saw one at my last race that, I think, was AlpineStars or Teknic that looked pretty good. Shop around.

- Stu

[FastBoy]

Umm, I've tried several including the Alpine Stars with plastic plates and found it extremely bulky and even with elastic shoulder and waist straps it tended to ride up on my back under the leathers to the point it interferred with me looking up in the tuck posiotion. This I feel is dangerous if I do high side and land in sucj a way that my neck is thrown back into hard plastic like that.

The Bohn I now have stays in pefect position and they DO have hard platic under the carbon outer layer over each of the pads. Look at the design diagrams again. This was also verified by ActionStation were I bought mine.