View Full Version : Back protectors
I wanted to know what everyones opinion was on the knox/a'stars type ones.
My leathers have a back protector insert but its like having a lump of thick cardboard stuffed down my back.
What do you guys recommed? bet value for money?
Cheers
I've bought AND sold an Alpinestars Tech back protector, on ebay! Looks good and would certainly hold up in a prang, but it's quite uncomfortable to wear.
My mate has a knox and I've worn that and is much more comfortable. Also protective too.
My advice go for a knox. Go try a few one...
Got a knox stowaway, they take some getting used to, but I wouldnt ride without it now.
Scooby Drew
07-05-06, 08:22 PM
I have a Knox Contour - while sitting on the roadside with Blueflame after his off, I decided to upgrade my Hein Gericke vest type back protector to something more substantial. It's v comfortable but you do know it's there. I tried the Dainese, A-star and other Knox but this was the best fit/comfort with max protection that I found.
It was £99.99
The forcefield ones get good reviews...
There was a long thread about this somewhere?
I found the A star uncomfortable - though its solid. I have the knox ricochet. Only thing I dont like about it is the velcro belt. Would feel more solid with a proper clip belt tbh.
But like others wont ride without one - though did the other day and felt very vulnerable for the duration tbh.
Balky001
08-05-06, 02:17 AM
I tried the Spidi which was fairly comfy but prefer my Knox Ricochet - the wide velco strap also acts as a girdle if you are a little loose in the middle erm, so I've heard :oops:
The forcefield ones get good reviews...
There was a long thread about this somewhere?
Yup the Forcefield is what I have and I cant criticise much, its got a large area so protects alot of your back and fits very tightly and follows the contour of your back.On mine the straps are going a bit but still it fits very well and tight
http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=1549
Only thing I dont like about it is the velcro belt. Would feel more solid with a proper clip belt tbh.
The Velcro belt ones do not come undone, they are perfectly secure. They are more comfortable as there are no clips or fasteners to dig in. Which in itself is a good thing in the event of an accident.
I have the clover back protector and It's the most comfortable back protector I have used to date.
Forcefield for me, find it very comfortable, pretty well made too.
I had a pm discussion recently with someone who ended up getting one from
http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/products.asp?category=Motorcycle+Clothing&subcategory=Back+Protectors
looks to be the best price around unless others know different. :?
I've got a forcefield, it's pretty comfy after the first couple of hundred miles.
Got a knox stowaway, they take some getting used to, but I wouldnt ride without it now.
I say the same, though make sure you go on your bike when you try it on else you may get one that doesn't feel right on the bike. But felt great on in the shop.
northwind
08-05-06, 10:36 AM
Forcefield looks great... I use a Stowaway, on the basis that it's better to have a less good protector that I'll actually wear every ride than the best protector in the world that's inconvenient enough that I'd not wear it sometimes. I've also got one of the Knox inserts for my jackets which I wear very occasionally when a full protector's going to be a problem.
Fizzy Fish
08-05-06, 11:57 AM
I have the knox ricochet. Only thing I dont like about it is the velcro belt. Would feel more solid with a proper clip belt tbh.
agree - the velcro on mine only lasted about 6 months...
lukemillar
08-05-06, 12:53 PM
Forcefield looks great... I use a Stowaway, on the basis that it's better to have a less good protector that I'll actually wear every ride than the best protector in the world that's inconvenient enough that I'd not wear it sometimes. I've also got one of the Knox inserts for my jackets which I wear very occasionally when a full protector's going to be a problem.
My sentiments exactly. I bought a Knox Contour. It was very conforatble and fitted right the way down your spine. However after a week of riding I hadn't worn it once (round town and commuting riding). In the end I took it back, bought a new Astars jacket and the back protector insert. Okay it probably isn't as good as the Knox but the difference is, I wear it everyday.
I also read somewhere that all back protectors have to conform to the same standards, so in terms of protection one isn't going to be much better than another. Some may give better coverage, comfort etc, but I think the important thing is to by something that you are actually going to wear everytime you ride.
Forcefield looks great... I use a Stowaway, on the basis that it's better to have a less good protector that I'll actually wear every ride than the best protector in the world that's inconvenient enough that I'd not wear it sometimes. I've also got one of the Knox inserts for my jackets which I wear very occasionally when a full protector's going to be a problem.
My sentiments exactly. I bought a Knox Contour. It was very conforatble and fitted right the way down your spine. However after a week of riding I hadn't worn it once (round town and commuting riding). In the end I took it back, bought a new Astars jacket and the back protector insert. Okay it probably isn't as good as the Knox but the difference is, I wear it everyday.
I also read somewhere that all back protectors have to conform to the same standards, so in terms of protection one isn't going to be much better than another. Some may give better coverage, comfort etc, but I think the important thing is to by something that you are actually going to wear everytime you ride.
Thats like saying that a £50 helmet is the same as a £250 because they have passed the same tests. All CE approved protection has to pass a set of tests, the cheaper stuff will just pass it while the more expensive stuff will be better and exceed the tests and protect you better in the event of an accident.. Take a standard back protector £25 and then one that costs £100, i bet you will feal a diffrence.
Halonic
08-05-06, 04:02 PM
The forcefield won the Ride test for protection.
That was pretty much "it" for me, got one at the BMF show in May last year for a tenner off list price. worn it for 5000 miles since. Gets a little hot in summer but you cant tell its that causing it under leathers. So comfy you dont know its there.
northwind
08-05-06, 04:13 PM
One thing that could make all the difference is the coverage... The insert I've got only covers about 3/4 of my back, while the Stowaway goes all the way down... Guaranteed if I do ever go down with just the insert rather than the proper protector, it'll be there I get hit :roll:
Cheers guys lots of good info.
I am torn between the forcefield and the knox. What the main difference between the knox stowaway and the ricochet? besides the price?
lukemillar
08-05-06, 07:43 PM
Forcefield looks great... I use a Stowaway, on the basis that it's better to have a less good protector that I'll actually wear every ride than the best protector in the world that's inconvenient enough that I'd not wear it sometimes. I've also got one of the Knox inserts for my jackets which I wear very occasionally when a full protector's going to be a problem.
My sentiments exactly. I bought a Knox Contour. It was very conforatble and fitted right the way down your spine. However after a week of riding I hadn't worn it once (round town and commuting riding). In the end I took it back, bought a new Astars jacket and the back protector insert. Okay it probably isn't as good as the Knox but the difference is, I wear it everyday.
I also read somewhere that all back protectors have to conform to the same standards, so in terms of protection one isn't going to be much better than another. Some may give better coverage, comfort etc, but I think the important thing is to by something that you are actually going to wear everytime you ride.
Thats like saying that a £50 helmet is the same as a £250 because they have passed the same tests. All CE approved protection has to pass a set of tests, the cheaper stuff will just pass it while the more expensive stuff will be better and exceed the tests and protect you better in the event of an accident.. Take a standard back protector £25 and then one that costs £100, i bet you will feal a diffrence.
Yes and No. I'm not entirely convinced by what I said, just that I had read it somewhere - It may even have been in Ride, I'm not sure.
However spending more money on a Dainese or Alpinestars back protector isn't necessarily going to be better than a lesser known brand - cost isn't a true reflection of quality. Hopefully we will never find out whether our back protectors are any good or not. :wink:
My point was that you should by something that you will wear everytime you ride. Have a back insert in a jacket is going to be much more effective than a full Knox back protector that is sitting in a cupboard at home.
northwind
08-05-06, 09:27 PM
Cheers guys lots of good info.
I am torn between the forcefield and the knox. What the main difference between the knox stowaway and the ricochet? besides the price?
The stowaway rolls up, making it easy to stick in a bag or similiar- that's the killer edge for me. It came with a natty little man-bag too :) The Ricochet is a bigger, more protective, heavier piece of work- it hs better coverage and better impact spread potential. I think (though don't quote me) that the Ricochet makes CE2, which puts it in a very small minority. In terms of protection, it's almost certainyl better, but I found it more intrusive when I tried them on- and the convenience of one that I can stick in a bag is a huge advantage.
I have a knox stowaway. I think TSM has a bit of a point saying that the protectors are like helmets - but not the price!. The most imprtant thing about a helmet is that it fits, and I think that the same is true for back protectors. You need one that is comfy and you will wear everytime you put your jacket on, that sits where it is supposed to and covers as much of your back as sensible. After that - chose the best made!
SVeeedy Gonzales
09-05-06, 01:17 PM
I find the forcefield slightly bulky under my old leather jacket (was getting tight before I got the forcefield though :oops: ) but not so bad. I had a big crash 2 weeks after getting the forcefield and reckon I avoided a lot of injury by having it. Have only forgotten to wear it once since then... if you ever come off the fact that it can feel like a sheet of cardboard down your back (until it warms up after a few minutes) isn't so bad.
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