Back Protector recommendations??

[racercutie]

I'm not sure where to post this, but I need a back protector soon - oh in about 10 days.

I did a search and came up with nada.
I wanted to know what your opinions are on a good brand, something I can actually move in without anything jabbing me.
I've seen those softie ones like honeycomb. Those look pretty comfy, but do they protect well?
I was trying to get away from the ones that look like a strap-on.
;)
Also have a nice pocket in my leathers to fit one inside.
What are your experiences?
TIA guys and gals!
:teeth

[winders]

I would go to Helimot and get their TLV back protector. It is the best one I have seen....

Scott

[cbrmonkey]

I used the Bohn Pro Racer....I tested it this weekend at the track :(

[donoman]

Helimot TLV, I sold my Dainese 8pc and am currently wearing an Aerostich backprotector at the track but will buy a TLV as soon as my new suit arrives :banana

[Grlzrd2]

Just found one at Road Rider's. It's made by Bohn, and it's called the "mini". I think it's the smallest you'll find. $140

I've been looking for one forever, but even the men's "small" sizes were too big. They would be too long, or too wide in the shoulders.....or slide up and get caught on my helmet. :mad So anyways, try Road Rider's.

...oh yeah, I think I took their only one that's been hanging there getting dusty :laughing ...so you might wanna have them order one for ya! Good luck.

[mikeody1]

Here is my two pennies. I got mine at road rider and its the alpinestar tech. It works okay for me and does the job. Its sits pretty good in my 2 pc race suit. Thats just my opion.

[V4]

the original T-Pro body armor for me.......

Covers the full back as well as chest area and a 1pc set up like a vest.....

I had the TPro redline which I really loved till it was stolen out of a truck during track day....

[racercutie]

Originally posted by V4
the original T-Pro body armor for me.......

Covers the full back as well as chest area and a 1pc set up like a vest.....

I had the TPro redline which I really loved till it was stolen out of a truck during track day....
Thanks...ummm...I don't think this would fit my chest area though. :blush

Thanks all for your input. I'll have to swing my Helimot and Road Rider this weekend! :thumbup

[V4]

Originally posted by racercutie
Thanks...ummm...I don't think this would fit my chest area though. :blush

Thanks all for your input. I'll have to swing my Helimot and Road Rider this weekend! :thumbup

:wow +:love

good luck finding one for ya.......if ya can, have your leathers with ya so you can see how the back protectors feel with it on.....it may help your decision easier on which to get with the suit you have ....

also, don't get one that is too big...when ya sit on a bike, it can raise up to your neck causing it to be uncomfy during the ride....

good lucks to ya...

[Erionrider]

RC, get the TLV. I shopped around a few months ago and found the Helimot Turtle to be the most comfortable and seems to offer the best protection of any model out there. Five minutes down the road and you forget that you have it on. Not cheap at $150, but certainly reasonable when you consider what it's protecting.

A tip for your track day: spray some water on the underside of the TLV (if this is the one you decide to go with) before putting it on. This will help keep your back cool if your trackday occurs on a hot day.

[racercutie]

Thanks Erion! I'm considering that one too. Helmut's a trip too so it would be fun to see him again!

I intend to soak my inners with with water!
Gonna be sticky HOT at Thunderhill.:flame

[Erionrider]

Originally posted by racercutie


Gonna be sticky HOT at Thunderhill.:flame

You're gonna be HOT and sticky?! Oooh take some pics!
:laughing

[racercutie]

Originally posted by Erionrider
You're gonna be HOT and sticky?!

and wet. :boobies
lol.

[Erionrider]

In that case take some video!!!

[robscomputer]

This is kinda off topic but does the TLV fits ok with a tight suit? With my Alpinestar Tech protector it feels like the jacket is 1 size smaller since the protector is so thick.

Rob

[staRang]

Originally posted by donoman
Helimot TLV, I sold my Dainese 8pc and am currently wearing an Aerostich backprotector at the track but will buy a TLV as soon as my new suit arrives :banana

Should I expect to see a Red/Black Tecknic suit, slightly used, on eBay soon?

:twofinger

[Outta Control]

Originally posted by robscomputer
This is kinda off topic but does the TLV fits ok with a tight suit? With my Alpinestar Tech protector it feels like the jacket is 1 size smaller since the protector is so thick.

Rob

Well depends on what you mean by tight. To some a snug fitting leathers may be construded as being tight and the TLV would fill it in a bit more but as you wear it will conform and compress to a comfortable fit.

[robscomputer]

Well my jacket fits just perfect without my protector in, but feels a tad too light with the protector. I'm going to purcahse some leathers soon so I'm going to wear the protector with the suit as I try them on. From the looks, seems like the TLV is a lower profile than other "flat" style protectors.

Rob

[Outta Control]

The TLV actually will compress 1/2 of its size. But do wear the back protector when you are buying your leathers. If you need to know more about the TLV just take 10-15 minutes of your time to stop by Helimot. You are not going to regret it. Good Luck

[robscomputer]

Thanks! :teeth

Rob

[Chim Chim]

I really like my T-pro check em out - -

Review (http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcblip/prd-tpro.txt)

Johnson's T-pro selection (http://www.johnsonleather.com/armor/)

[fubar929]

I've crash tested the Bohn Pro Racer and the thinner Carbon-Kevlar back protectors.

The Pro Racer was a relatively low-speed, low-side. I had my knee down when I lost the rear, so I didn't fall very far, then slide along the ground for several hundred feet. The Pro Racer did it's job well: I didn't have any soreness or injury to my back. What I did have were several very well-worn spots in my leathers in exactly the places where the Pro Racer has raised padding.

Crashed the Carbon-Kevlar when my front tire went flat and I tucked the front at around 55-75mph. A much bigger fall than the crash with the Pro Racer. I didn't break my back... but I was in pain for literally weeks afterward. The Carbon-Kevlar provided about the level of protection you'd expect for a paper-thin product: very little. I don't use the Carbon-Kevlar anymore and though I haven't thrown it in the trash, I won't allow my friends to use it either.

I now use a Helimot TLV back protector, which I haven't crash tested yet. I find that it fits into my leathers better than the Pro Racer. I've had fantastic results from the soft armor used in my Helimot suit and the fact that the TLV is surrounded with same gives me quite a bit of confidence! The slight ridge down the spine allows for some airflow, which neither the Pro Racer nor the Carbon-Kevlar really allow.

Personally, I think the TLV is the best back protector that money can buy and I think it would be foolish to spend money on anything else...

[fubar929]

BTW, the Bohn back protectors are really knock-offs of back protectors originally made by Knox. Supposedly, the Knox versions (now available from Teknic?) are better than the Bohn versions... I haven't tried the Knox stuff, so I can't say for certain. Just an FYI.

[fubar929]

Originally posted by donoman
Helimot TLV, I sold my Dainese 8pc and am currently wearing an Aerostich backprotector at the track but will buy a TLV as soon as my new suit arrives :banana

Cautionary Tale: I said, "I'm going to go down to Helimot and buy a TLV next weekend; just don't have time this weekend." Of course, that was the day before I drove down to Buttonwillow and crashed while wearing inadequate protection! If I had it to do over again...

[Baptistro]

:bump