Back protectors. I need personal reviews.

[Mortifer]

I need to get a back protector. So I need to hear peoples reviews about as many brands and models of them as possible.

Likes
Dislikes
Comfort
Protection
User friendly
etc......


http://websmileys.bei.t-online.de/div263.gif Thanks

[R6Elmo]

I have the dainese 7 plate back protector. It's not the super fancy one.

the best back protector i've seen is a dainese that swivels on the lower back. So you can twist and it'll twist with you.

IMHO, i'd get a back protector that fit well under your leathers. That is most important. Also, get ones that have a shoulder strap, I hate how mine keeps on wanting to slide down. GOod luck.

Danny

[Moike]

I like the 'thin' Knox/Bohn carbon-kevlar shingles over
CE armor unit. It protects well, secures down nicely,
and is unobtrusive enough that you'll wear it regularly.

-Mike-

[donoman]

Dainese 8pc backspace
It was very nice at first but the velcro wore out
and now it's very uncomfortable to keep in place, the fucking thing always rides up and pulls my t-shirt with it, i hate it

[yzsofst]

my dad rides with one, he says he cant feel it when he's riden. i theink it's the dainese with the swivle on it

[robscomputer]

I just picked up the Alpinestar Tech back protector from Road Rider the other week. Very nice construction, seems like it is built to last many seasons. My favorite is the cross strap design, you can easily tighten while having your jacket on.

When I first wore the protector I wasn't sure if my jacket will be too tight, it's not. After a few rides the back protector stays in the correct area, does not move. Also it's pretty light, with the padding your back does not notice the protector at all, and I was wearing a back pack on top of my jacket.

Paid $125 for the medium size, feel it's worth the protection for your back and it's a quality item.

Rob

[Max Smiley]

I'm going to check out the latest at Johnson leathers in the city, 4 layers, shoulder straps, wide abdominal belt. admit haven't been wearing my shorty hard shingle tecnic lately, depending on stiff dual density foam built in to my jackets for general riding around at least.

[V4]

T Pro Body Armor.
my favorite under textile suits but a bit bulky under leathers... Covers back, chest, collar bones, kidney, ......saved me from a world of pain from a 70mph lowside...gets hot during summer...
100-125 bucks

Dianese Gilet
Convenient vest with backprotector with some padding in the chest/collar/shoulder bone area....very comfortable but the back of the collar does rise which I solved by cutting it off.....great under textile suits but may be a bit bulk under some leathers....
200bucks

Teknic Stowaway Backprotector...
Lightweight but bulky foam in both leathers and textile suits....saved a friend from a world of pain after a get off on Skaggs....gets very hot....did I say bulky already?
75 bucks

I hear Helimot's backprotectors have great reviews....worth checking those out too....

[magyarbetyar]

Hey Mort I posted a similar thread HERE (http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15645&highlight=back+protector).

I have since then puchased a Dainese BAP 3.

It is my first so really have no camparo info.

It works, very user friendly, good enough for now. Oh and the price was right :teeth

[Noaleridingfool]

http://www.helimot.com/catalog/other_items/tlv_data.shtml

[rick]

I use a Sidi Airback and it's comfy and seems to work well (I got ran over once). Next time I'll probably get the Bohn back protector.

[280SQUAGGLER]

Mort i have one , forgot the name since i dont analyze it , but your welcome to try it out and see how you like it .... i'll bring it Tuesday ........

[nine]

Originally posted by Mortifer
I need to get a back protector. So I need to hear peoples reviews about as many brands and models of them as possible.

Likes
Dislikes
Comfort
Protection
User friendly
etc......


http://websmileys.bei.t-online.de/div263.gif Thanks

NOTE: I have no basis for comparison as this is my 1st back protector...anyways...

Brand: Helimot
Model: ? a blue one


Likes:
It's squishy (that's the technical term. I could explain it but it'd take too long...j/k :p) with hard armor on the inside. I think that being squishy on the outside provides two benefits: 1) helps eliminates pressure points...if you're slinding on your back and there's a pressure point, it may motivate a tear in your leathers. 2) squishiness should help distribute impact forces.

Dislikes:
Over $150.

Comfort:
Good. I don't really notice that it's there.

Protection:
High sided at Laguna, somersaulted in the air, and flopped onto my back before skidding to a stop. No soreness in my back to speak of. Off to the side slightly above the glut was a different story. :( --sore for months...

User friendly:
Yah. Only one ~6" wide elastic velcro strap across the mid section.

[Liquid-R1]

I have the Dainese Backpack w/ Back Protector... At T-Hill, I took off the backpack and put the protector in my suit... Didn't seem to have amy problems, except that the straps are a bit thick...


Here we go again... Mort's moving from Bike testing to back protector testing... Everyone bring your's out to the Tues. meet...

[donoman]

I think the velcro is bad for me cuz I gained about 15 lbs and put on 2" on my waist since i first bought the thing.

[nine]

NEWSFLASH

Velcro causes weight gain to fat guy on a little bike. More at 11.

[V4]

:laughing :cry :laughing

[Roscoe]

Don't forget, he LOVES NEW YORK!!!!!!! :clown

[Mortifer]

Originally posted by Liquid-R1
Here we go again... Mort's moving from Bike testing to back protector testing... Everyone bring your's out to the Tues. meet...

I was only testing peoples bikes cause was curious what they felt like, (and cause they said yes), but I love my F4i and am not interested in getting anything else.

Yes, I would like to check out as many back protectors as possible before buying one, so please bring yours tuesday.

Thanks for all the great reviews, keep'm coming.:teeth
Thanks magyarbetyar, I should have done a search of old threads too.

[magyarbetyar]

:thumbup

[ambitiousone]

Spidi Airback

Likes
shoulder straps.
tail flexes a little (front/back, not side-to-side)
light
adjustuble straps at waist, ala safety belt when lifting heavy objects?
fits fine inside my suit, doesn't move around

Dislikes
can get warm
it's a bitch to put on my suit now, by myself that is even with the suit dance. i guess i suffer velcroritis cuz I also gained 2 in. and 15-20lbs since I've had it. :mad :laughing
the edges get caught as I put on my 1pc suit. it maybe be easier for those w/ 2pc suits.
velcro that has the snaps is too small. once my tummy went bigger, it's harder for it to hold in place. :laughing folks that have seen me put it on (and try to keep it on by just holding my tummy in), will know what i mean. :teeth
no kidney protection
velcro messes up my undersuit because the velcro piece is not covered like the helimot back-protector.

Comfort
pretty comfy, once it's on.

Protection
tested from my high-side. no backproblems here, at least not from the highside.
tested from both lowsides. no issues tho my speed hump may have helped a some.

User friendly
does not creep up or down, not even in my textile. holds in place w/ my leathers, but that's only cuz I'm more (ahem) snug in 'em. :p


enuff details for ya? i'd rather go with a bohn or a helimut next time. helimot probably easiest to put a 1pc on because it's smooth and no ragged edges on sides or surface of backprotector as you slide the 1pc up. but it is thicker and will make your suit even more snug.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/023/799/349111-airback.jpg

[superhawk]

Originally posted by magyarbetyar
I have since then puchased a Dainese BAP 3.

It is my first so really have no camparo info.

It works, very user friendly, good enough for now. Oh and the price was right :teeth

Your welcome:teeth

[squidhunter]

Dainese (forgot what model)

Likes-
shoulder straps, wide double velcro belt

Dislikes-
None

Comfort-
I dont even know its on

Protection-
Hasnt been tested (knocks on wood), but it is full length so it should give good coverage/protection

User Friendly-
Doesnt move around, or creep up

I'll bring it Tues, so you can check it out

[magyarbetyar]

Originally posted by superhawk2000
Your welcome:teeth


:teeth Thanks :thumbup

[rapidrobbie]

I am now using a KNOX,I forget what model,I know they don't make it anymore:laughing :x I had a Dainese before,but I really didn't care for it(hard plastic)The KNOX is not bulky,comes in several different lengths,and works very well in crashes.The only other one I would buy besides the KNOX is the one from Helimot.

[Ducky_Fresh]

www.motorcyclegearreview.com

Welcome.

- Everett

[BigMeanTam]

Originally posted by robscomputer
I just picked up the Alpinestar Tech back protector ...
Rob

I have this one, too - it is light. The shoulder straps could be placed slightly better, but when you're in riding position it seems to stay in place fine & is comfortable. Overall quality seems extremely good. Also fits okay under leathers w/ full hard armor.

I also have an EVS ballistic series zip-front armored shirt, which i think a lot of peeps use for MX/dirt. I use it under an un-armored Frank Thomas jacket I have, and i really really like it. It's super adjustable, fits excellent, and puts extra armour everywhere. Works great if you want a little extra armor, doesn't take up much space, either. Not something I'd rely on in a high-speed get-off, however -- the armor just isn't as heavy-duty as the hard armor/back protector combo in my other leathers.

-BigMeanTam

[DaSpeCiALiSt]

Dainese Backspace 1...the one with the back pivot. I like it because it fits well and I hardly notice that it's there. I wear it EVERY TIME I ride. That includes going to class with my leather jacket and jeans (underarmour underneath jeans). At times, I've kept it on throughout the whole day b/c of lack of a place to put my gear...and no complaints with it on. The waist strap is two-stage adjustable. The large one is to generally latch on around your waist/tummy. Then, there are two smaller straps (one on each side) to tighten it up, giving a more custom fit, esp. in lumbar area of the back. The shoulder straps are fine, they pretty much stay put. I hardly have to adjust them. RiDE magazine (like mentioned in the linked post) did a review on back protectors within the last few months, and Dainese was one of the top rated. Another bling factor for the Backspace is that there's reflective piping on it. Helps when you're chillin' in the middle of the night on the side of the road with the top part of your leathers hanging off your waist. :laughing And back in 2002, they came out with Backspace "Metal" models. They come in metallic red, blue, and also copper, I think. Red and blue for sure (and of course, black...not sure if they have metallic black).

The only other back protector I would consider purchasing is the Helimot TLV. I've tried it on without my leathers and it's comfy as far as I can tell. It even leaves a bit of an air flow pocket to help cool your back.

[littlerocket777]

i just bought the safety jacket space 2 from http://www.dainese.be/en/bargains/index.htm
after the exchange rate, it came out to be around $193 US. the only thing this one is missing is hard chestplates...compared to the safety jacket 20. and i think that's top of the line too. but the price difference is like another hundred for hard chest plates. i should get it by friday this week, i'll let you know how it is. the customer service is really good, even tho they're in the Belgium.

[DaSpeCiALiSt]

Oh, hell yeah! Bimoto Ghent (www.dainese.be) is awesome! Frans is quite helpful in answering questions. And the prices are great! I got my T-Age 2-piece from there as well as my Backspace.

[Hyperlite]

this what you bohn pro racer guys are talking about? I've been looking at it for a while and since Mort jumped on this subject might as well get my questions answered as well. How is the heat build up when you are not moving?

http://www.actionstation.com/wbapro.html

[Wolf]

I know Dennis Kirk is like the JC Whitney of motorcycles, but what about these?

http://www.denniskirk.com/powervendor/details/detail.asp?PartNo=347973L+++++&serverid=nlStreet

http://www.denniskirk.com/powervendor/details/detail.asp?PartNo=347973M+++++&serverid=nlStreet

[mrtnz]

Brand: Bohn Body Armor (http://www.actionstation.com/bohn.html)
Model: Mini Carbon Kevlar Tour
Likes: IT FITS MY SMALL BODY! Slim (1/2 inch thick) and comfortable. It moves with me. It doesn't get too warm. It covers/protects my shoulder blades and kidneys too. It has no plastic parts (in the back) that could potentually puncture my body in a fatal crash.
Dislikes: It is so slim that it makes me wonder if it really protects. Also, the buckle/strap adjustment is on my collar bone. So, it hurts if I don't position it right. It might be just me as I am short and all skin and bones.
Protection: I had one low-side. However, I don't remember if I rolled on my back.
User Friendly: Yes. Just one strap to fiddle with. Your jacket/leathers will keep it in place.

Check out Bohn's other products like the T Pro Bhon Back Protector (http://www.actionstation.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=TPForce&SRCH_CATEGORY=Back_Protectors&SRCH_ID=&SRCH_DESCRIPTION=&SRCH_MANUFACTURER=). The T Pro (brand of armor) is one of the best armor sold in Europe. It surpasses the CE Standard.

Good luck!

[Barnaby Wilde]

Hi Guys,

I have the Bohn Cool-Air Pro Racer. It fits well under my Hein Gericke leather jacket and molds to your body contour. $200. Very comfortable and I always wear it, even on a 2 mile run to the grocery store.

The comfort factor is important because you might not wear the back protector during really hot days if it's too sweaty...

[Wolf]

See my post above.

[Baptistro]

BUMP