Back Protectors, do you bother?

[vfxmark]

We have a pair of Bohn back protectors that are designed to velcro into our Aerostitch Roadcrafter suits. It has an elastic waistbelt that keeps it positioned and it also has very lightweight shoulder straps one can use when stuffing into other riding jackets (as one does.)
It is not a hard shell type protector, but rather a very stiff foam piece with some Kevlar/carbon fibre strips along center that are supposed to dissapate point loading.

It does cut down on the aerostitch's back venting, unfortunately (and it gets f@#$%^& hot here) but I wear it most days. Our casual rides near our house include some of the best canyons to ride in the area, and due to testosterone poisoning, I am likely to try and keep up with or pass any number of agressive riders...

I've had a couple of get-offs that involved sliding on my back - the one for which I was wearing the protector left me TOTALLY bruiseless.

I am realistic in understanding that the back protector is not that likely to make the difference between paralysis or not...
...but any time I injure myself these days, it hurts much longer than it did when I was in my twenties...
...that's enough of a reason for me to wear this thing.

Oddly enough, I wore it all the time on my R1100S and wear it a bit less now that I am back on a GS...not that I am in any less danger of getting off the GS than the S.

Unfortunately, as I am growing out of the aerostitch these days, I have to choose between the fleece or the back protector when it is cold...
must lose weight or buy a bigger stitch

 

[ovenpaa]

So here I am, years later, and currently owning vast arrays of protective clothing, (and I always wear full gear, even if riding 1/3 mile to the station on a 125), and I realise that, never having kissed the tarmac on a public road (off roading is someat else) I have spent a huge amount of money, and even greater amounts of time kitting up, showering (arriving at work midsummer on an R80RT wearing full Hideout leathers - 11mm norserex-meant lots of sweat), and all of it has been pointless. Could have worn whatever, and it would have made absolutely no difference in safety terms.

Look on it as insurance

 

[Skippy]

Left mine at home!

Use the protector fitted in my Street guard jacket for daily use, but when on tour take that out and wear a Forcefield, very comfy and won ride award for top kit.

Just like this Forcefield, hanging on the hook next to where the bikes are parked up.

Only out for a quick "clear the pipes" run after giving the 916 a spring clean two years ago this month.

Fractured 3 vertebrae and damaged 2 others, 3 broken ribs too though I doubt the protector would have helped with this bit. Year off work, lost job but kept my life thanks to Mr Arai!

How stupid am I !

Skip.

 

[rdover]

shit happens, sorry to say!

I should always wear gloves when moving pallets around the warehouse. Last year I was moving a pallet of plasters next to a pallet of bandages and didn't bother with gloves. Result? I got my hand trapped and lost my fingernail.

Ouch!

 

[Backmarker]

shit happens, sorry to say!

I should always wear gloves when moving pallets around the warehouse. Last year I was moving a pallet of plasters next to a pallet of bandages and didn't bother with gloves. Result? I got my hand trapped and lost my fingernail.

Ouch!

So....which did you use? The plasters or the bandages ???

 

[Steptoe]

How many people that have posted on here, advocating the use of back protectors possibly saving your life etc, smoke ??.

 

[rdover]

Neither. I grabbed an oily rag off the forklift to staunch the blood flow.

I'm a tough biker, me!

 

[rdover]

When the nail started bugging me I pulled it off with a pair of pliers.

Hard as ...... well, nails really!

 

[Skippy]

And the point being?

How many people that have posted on here, advocating the use of back protectors possibly saving your life etc, smoke ??.

Same applies to a helmet lid then??

Why bother if you smoke?

Not sure the connection stacks up.

I don't btw.............anymore!

Skip.

 

[JohnC]

How many people that have posted on here, advocating the use of back protectors possibly saving your life etc, smoke ??.

In my mind I smoke because I ride a bike, it calms my nerves because I know I might possibly never make it to adenocarcinoma

Seriously, a horrible disease and I should really stop.

Oh and I dont wear a back protector so I'm doubly fecked

 

[Steptoe]

Same applies to a helmet lid then??

Why bother if you smoke?

Not sure the connection stacks up.

.

Helmet is compulsary .


I just see a complete contradiction in terms in deciding to increase your health and safety out of choice, and then smoking.

 

[Corkonian]

I remember listening to a phone in debate on the radio about whether injuring you coccyx was worse than child birth - the coccyx gang 'won' hands down.
It was brutal stuff!

For those of you who have landed on your ass does the Forcefield type protector actually protect the coccyx?

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

back protectors ?
i did for a long time after my bestest mate highsided into a gatepost........................

 

[rocks]

Forefield Sport Backprotector..

My Forcefield back protector stops at the colar of my belstraff explorer jacket, and goes down my back as far as my coccyxs, so that when i sit down on the bike seat, i can feel it just pushed up a bit by the seat. I hope that helps.

I fell of a toy wheely tractor when i was a kid, flipped it backwards leaning back to far.. fell on my arse and banged my coccyx.. OUCH! still remember how it hurt for weeks to this day..

As for the debate on wearing then. I have one know.. so I will wear it.

 

[GSwadd]

No....don't wear one. Got a clout up the spine on my old IT-175 when I was a kid and my back is still stuffed...so maybe I should have one.