Back Protector recommendations??
- Thread starter racercutie
- Start date
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...
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...
donoman said:
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...
