How many track day junkies are wearing chest armor? - Sportbike Addicts

NYCSTRIPES · 03-04-2008, 10:58 PM

How many track day junkies like myself are wearing chest armor? I began wearing one of the Knoxx armor chest protectors last season and I got used to it pretty quickly. Nothing fancy, just slip it into my leathers and the suit holds it in place.
I have had broken ribs a couple of times in the past and its not fun recovering from that, especially if you develop a chest cold..ask me how I know about that.

Ken
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com...est+Protectors

CBRBob · 03-05-2008, 09:34 AM

My suit has that built in already

sonny · 03-05-2008, 10:34 AM

I was looking at the ICON Field Armor vest... Back protector and chest protector in one..

Not sure about ICON It seems pretty solid though.

CBRBob · 03-05-2008, 10:39 AM

Icon seems to be the entry level for gear. Not great, but better than nothing.

ronin_01r1 · 03-05-2008, 12:48 PM

that's a good idea. i don't have one tho. pretty cheap, i should order one.

lateapex · 03-06-2008, 02:11 PM

I've had a Bohn one for over 3 years, It was one of the few that were out back then, I like the Icon one because it includes the back protector and offers some shoulder protection.

3 years ago at CMP a friend of mine crashed on Saturday and was air lifted out with busted ribs and a calapsed lung. Sunday I crashed in the same spot (we were both old R6's) and I walked away just fine. I've had 2 other crashes since then and all 3 times my chest and ribs were fine. Get one.

sonny · 03-07-2008, 09:52 AM

Which ICON? The field armor that I was talking about?

bondo · 03-08-2008, 11:17 AM

neato
How thick are these things? Do they fit under your leathers Ok?

Gigantic · 03-16-2008, 09:54 PM

I'd say that they're about 3/4" thick or less. the fit fine underneath my leathers, although it took some getting used to at first. Now, I barely notice that it's in there. I had Alexa @ Spyderleatherworks.com put some velcro in the chest of my suit so it stays put.

Roberts · 03-20-2008, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

Which ICON? The field armor that I was talking about?

Actually, some hard armor is more dangerous to your back then soft CE 2 armor. Since the ICON has no test results available & only rely on the fact that they claim their hard plastic armor is impact resistant, well I got news for you.
Impact plastic is a misnomer. Hard plastic transfers more energy than anything and rubber does jack & shit.
Something is not always better than nothing, more spine damage is caused by shoulder or hip impact than actually striking something with your back. If you we're to strike something at a decent rate of speed directly with your spine that could bend you back wards; NOTHING will save you. Your TOAST

With the technology available today, energy absorbing soft armor is the way to go. It's more comfortable, lighter & able to absorb that impact from the highside that landed you on your back.

The Joe Rocket speedmaster back protector is one of the most energy absorbing back protectors available in the US. It is made by Tpro Forcefield and with some searching you will find a chest protector too. It passes EN1621-2 & is rated as high performance protection.

The funny thing about the Knox armor is that it's hard shell back protector transmits the full impact through the hard shell & has been tested & found to be brittle. It also only passes EN1621-2 Level 1 (CE2), which is ok for normal street riding (not hauling ass). Their soft Contour Back Protector is made of honey comb polpropeylene which might pass CE level EN1621-1 (CE1) but it has not passed any tests.

Roberts · 03-20-2008, 02:50 AM

Huh? Seems you's be better with this http://www.planet-knox.com/detail2.aspx?ID=31 for a back protector than
this: http://www.planet-knox.com/detail2.aspx?ID=22

or this:http://www.planet-knox.com/detail2.aspx?ID=23

FDNYDANO18 · 04-01-2008, 02:24 PM

Just ordered a Knox chest protector

lateapex · 04-01-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

Which ICON? The field armor that I was talking about?

I was referring the Icon filed vest. Just seemed like a nice combination of back and chest protection.

Note: TPM asked for a hard shell back protector and if there is someone checking for it they will not let you out.

Drew13 · 02-21-2009, 08:23 PM

This is on my short list:

Do you think the full ribs is over kill?

Jake · 02-21-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew231506

This is on my short list:

Also on Drew's short list: