I am looking for a back protector that will be suitable for both touring and track days. I don't know much about them but have seen Alpinstars and Bohn. Not sure which of the various models are good from these folks so suggestions on these and any others would be appreciated.
The problem with some back protectors are they are just sometimes too bulky and heavy for wearing on the road for extended times. Some newer backprotectors look like they are very effective, but the dense foam/gel materials that they use could weigh too much. I use a "Backspace 2" by Dainese. It's narrow, lightweight and has a lateral hinge at the waist that makes it flexible and very comfortable. The Dainese "Backspace" has a special aluminum honeycomb system that is supoosed to absorb impacts. It also has a full kidney belt type harness that feels very secure. It used to cost over 170 bucks when it first came out a few years ago, but it has become more affordable since (about 120 bucks?). It's not Dainese's top of the line model anymore, but it's still a very good, lightweight, comfortable system IMO fing02.gif
I have a "Spidi Air back" protector (click here for info) and I'm very pleased with it. (With limited - 4500 miles - experience). As you can see on the page there are quite a few straps on it which makes it really easy to fit it properly (which I can't say of the Back warrior), and it remains comfortable on longer trips. (~200 miles trips were not an issue - and I doubt it would become uncomfortable on longer rides -, you know it is on your back but that's all.) I can only recommend it, although it has it's price. (at least here in Hungary)
I used to have the Bohn Carbon/Kevlar back protector. I liked it a lot and would highly recommend it. It was pretty thin....like less than a half inch I'd say. Compared to other back protectors, I liked how it also had shoulder protection (it seems many other protectors such as Dainese's neglect that area). I ended up selling it to a buddy of mine after I bought some Vanson custom suits/jackets that had built in back protectors. To tell you the truth, I wish I'd kept the Bohn...it would come in handy to wear with my winter gear and non-Vanson stuff.
IMO, for the price the Carbon/Kevlar cannot be beat.
Its funny how attitudes change. When I first started on dirt bike & showed up to trail ride or intially at a new motocross track wearing European motocross leathers, mouth guard & chest protector...there were people giving me a hard time. When I got up and walked away from a couple of bad crashes.....you could see some light starts to go on in some people's eyes. Now most people look seriously at protective gear! At least the smart ones!
I got the optional back protector with my Aerostich & even though it is not armored like some of the others, it is very comfortable and can be move from suit to other clothes.
Here's an interesting read on armor, CE standards, etc. : Armor Info
That post is getting fairly dated (about 2 years old), but it's quite educational. I have to say that it turned me off to Bohn. I purchased a T-Pro backprotector that is really well made. It fits nicely under my leathers for track days, as well as my Aerostich suit, but it's bulky enough to not work well under my BMW Air Flow suit. The T-Pro covers a lot of your back, so can be a bit warm.
I've done some research in this field as well and from what I have found and people have said the Joe Rocket Speedmaster seems to be the most comfortable and offers great protection. Just my two cents. Need to ask the people that have had a serious crash and been wearing one!
I wear the Icon Armour vest. I don't even notice it when I have it on. I removed the cheap padding from my Tourmaster jacket so it doesn't look too bulky. The vest fits nice and snug but is not tight. Has a rubber chest plate which is better then nothing I suppose, But the back is a hard armored outside padded on the inside. I'm in florida and it doesn't feel hot. I don't go to the track so unknown if it is suitable for that, but i'm very happy with it and the price was around $80.
I bought that Alpinestars back proctect that slaps 76 got and I didnt' like it. It felt really bulky under my aplinestars leather jacket. For some reason it didn't really seem like it fit right. It's fine when you're riding, but if you what to walk around it just sticks out. Maybe that's just me, but I ended up just returning it. I recently got the optional upgrade for the normal back protecor for alpinestars jackets and its pretty good. It takes a little getting used to/breaking in because its just a firm board type thing, but I really like it now because it fit right against my back and moves when I bend. I'm pretty sure if I feel with that thing in it would be a lot better than the oringal one that came with my jacket. Its nothing fancy like those $100 ones, but its better than nothing and I don't have to "put it on."
Thanks teleskier: I was wondering what you ended up with. I think I'll go with this one, too -- rated highly and priced competitively. Did you buy from Johnson Leather? Looks like about the best price... --z
tried it today...very confortable, but might be bulky under a mesh coat (alpinestar)
thanks !!
I think the icon "back protector" is just an image thing...I really don't think its as good as quality of a real back protector. If anyone here is near a book store you should check out "Bike" (a mag from the UK) they have a piece on back protectors and offer feeback based on using them from anywhere from a couple months to 2 years.
I am using a BMW Back Protector 2. The padding is made up of multiple thin layers. I think this makes the protector more flexible. There are 4 large plastic plates directly over the spine area. I find it to be extremely comfortable. Here is a link to BMW for more information. [image: user posted image]
feel free to search for the PDF File... if I stumble upon it, I will post it here..
btw Motorrad was in the "okay" list... right in the middle... but from what I remember you were buying the bmw brand more than the construction/safety ...
Thanks for mentioning the Ride comparison Relentless, I was unaware of it.
My BMW scored a 10 on protection and that's the main reason I purchased a separate back protector. I believe the new Joe Rocket Speedmaster Back Protector is the same as the Davies Odell Forcefield.
As was said above, the Forcefield and Joe Rocket Speedmaster are the same, I know here in Canada, Calgary anyway nobody carries the Forcefield but they can all get the JR., So worth keeping in mind when shopping around as there seems to be a lot more people carrying Joe Rocket.
End of thread · 22 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006
![[image: user posted image]](http://home.carolina.rr.com/sterfry/BMWBP2.jpg){kind=link}
![[image: user posted image]](http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/images/forcefield.jpg){kind=link}