neck protection?

Originally Posted by jambo

In many jackets people will use CE shoulder & elbow armor, and a piece of foam as a back protector. From the explanation Agy's given of hers this may be the case. With textile kit a separate back protector can be very helpful as the protection is held exactly right, even if the jacket's loose. When I had my leathers made I had Hideout sew in an internal coccyx & back protector from the forcefield internal stuff, it's just as good and because the leathers fit me properly it's no more likely to move out of the place it's got to be.

Jambo

Yes that's right. It's a foam protector. Doesn't seem all that great. I might be wrong as I don't know much about this stuff but it doesn't inspire confidence in me. My RST leather jacket seems to have a much better one which I think is ribbed too.
I was thinking of getting this one for my textile jacket to replace the foam one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3604463751...#ht_500wt_1180

That neck brace seems useful but it does also seem like a lot of kerfuffle... one has to place a limit on where just say sod it and accept the risk. Can't be so dressed up I can't move and control the bike LOL I think it would be very distracting. How much chance does one have of impact to the neck?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by agy

Yes that's right. It's a foam protector. Doesn't seem all that great. I might be wrong as I don't know much about this stuff but it doesn't inspire confidence in me. My RST leather jacket seems to have a much better one which I think is ribbed too.
I was thinking of getting this one for my textile jacket to replace the foam one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3604463751...#ht_500wt_1180

That'll be much better than what you have in there if it's just a piece of deeply untechnical foam.

Don't discount YC's point about having a separate back protector, they tend to be longer, and stay in the correct place, plus whatever jacket you're wearing it stays with you

Jambo

ah you mean one that doesn't go in the pocket?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by agy

ah you mean one that doesn't go in the pocket?

Yep, something a little like this though there are plenty of products from people like Forcefield, Knox etc that would fit the bill depending on budget and comfort.

It's not the wrong thing to have one in the pocket at the back at all, and if you're going to keep doing it, spending a bit on a better one is a good move, but for best protection, with loose jackets, having a separate protector can be a good move.

Jambo

Originally Posted by NTECUK

Can you always trust theses test. Lids have 2 test standards and some well renowned ones do bad on SHARP or what ever its called .

you can trust the tests to show you how the helmet performs in the tests.

They are only an indicator of how it'll perform in real life.

As soon as you develop a test and make it known some helmet manufacturers will start to game it, reinforcing their helmets in the spots that are tested.

But they're still better than no test at all.

[NTECUK]

Agreed. N cap has done allot for car occupants .
I did see air bag jackets mentioned in one mag.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I'd advise a good back protector before a neck brace, do a search about them, loads of information on here about various makes.

EDIT : Forcefield to a women's specific back protector, with the waist and chest straps placed more ergonomically for ladies.

+1. YC and I have Halvarssons back protectors. Mine sits firmly in place and has the added bonus of keeping my upper body nice and warm. I got shot of the injacket foam things, didn't feel like they'd do a right lot of good at all like you say. Probably the most expensive bit of kit I own but aside from the helmet, probably the most protective.

http://www.brandedbiker.co.uk/Halvar...Protector-1873

As far as neck protection goes, I have a fleecy windproof neck tube that's used the most, it's quite thick and that's about it. Like NTEC says, I'd rather not restrict my neck movement with something more rigid.

[Dave-the-rave]

My suit keeps inflating before I crash.

I think that if necks were routinely damaged in motorcycle accidents there'd be more (some?!) protection banded about for bikers necks. I can't say I've ever heard of a neck injury in any bike accident. I've always considered that the helmet is so thick and sits so low that it would be enough. However, apparently the chin guard on full face helmets is responsible for a lot of the collar bone breaks that bikers tend to suffer. Some shorter lids like the XR1000 might negate this problem.

I rate the Halvarssons/Forcefield type of back protector purely because of the sheer number of magazine articles and tests I've read. It also feels very secure in use, if a little sweaty.

Something to remember about any armour; back, knee, shoulder etc. is that some of the polystyrene type material (such as the back insert you've listed) should only be used once, whereas the Forcefield, rubbery type can be used over and over. Whilst replacing armour after a crash shouldn't be a problem, you'd have to take into account any damage (crushing/folding) that might occur during normal usage or storage.

Here's a fish: