Back inserts, which size

[wiffers]

For long rides I have a Forcefield back protector which I strap on, the one with the highest safety rating.

But for those short trips to the shops where I bung my jacket on, I need an insert for my jacket.

I have an RST Rift (2008) Textile jacket in XXL

The pocket measures 38x29cm

This seems like the basic one, that I'd probably go for, seems to be in most jackets:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KNOX-BACK-PROTECT ... 0362277246

But it says 39cm high, so will it fit in mine?

This seems like the expensive version, but even the small one is 40cm high:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORCEFIELD-PRO-L2 ... 0331828591

This would be good, but unable to cut. It looks similar to my main one

Just wondered if anyone has a jacket like mine, or knows the exact size of back inserts?

Could I cut the knox one?

Thanks

[Guest philgale]

i wouldnt bother with an insert, there is a thread at the top of this section re: back protecters

they are more expensive but i would trust that more than a foam insert, which the knox on looks like

[Guest]

All The Kit All The Time - or just buy an insert from a reputable stockist and cut it down to fit.

[wiffers]

Philgale

I have a full back protector already, a good one.

Parapanfan

I appreciate the "all the kit all the time" saying, but realistically, if I want to ride 1 mile into town for work, I'm not going to put on trousers, back protector, etc etc, then change when I get there. Probably ideal, but how many people do that?

I'll always be wearing jeans, gloves, helmet, jacket at very least, but though an insert would be a little bit more.

On any substancial trip, I'd wear full kit

All

Could always get the forcefield insert, that's pretty decent, but again too big and I'd not be able to trim

[Guest]

HG do some - I have one in my jacket for short trips.

[wiffers]

Maybe I should pop to HG shop when I'm out and about next.

And idea on above two?

Thx

[Ratser]

I should just point out mate, that a young lad in my work only rode the 2 miles to work and never wore trousers, back protector, boots or bike jacket.

On his way home at lunch time he crossed a junction only to be hit by a taxi driver.

He ended up with a shattered ankle, collar bone and elbow resulting in all sorts of plates and pins inserted to hold him together.

This was a less than 30mph collision.

Now, at the moment, after 2 years, he still cannot ride a bike, although he is hoping to again at some stage.

Not wanting to scare you in any way, but just letting you know.

[wiffers]

I know mate - but do you always kit up fully?

[Ratser]

Personally, yes.

That young lad did that before I took up riding.

But I will never forget the state he was in.

[Guest]

I appreciate the "all the kit all the time" saying, but realistically, if I want to ride 1 mile into town for work, I'm not going to put on trousers, back protector, etc etc, then change when I get there. Probably ideal, but how many people do that?

 

Me.

It does not matter where I'm going I put on all of my gear. I work about 5 minutes from home, and always put on my motorbike gear over my clothes. Even if I'm just going out to Tesco, or even just to fill up with petrol ready for the week ahead, I always take the same precautions.

In the past I have been out with everything except my textile trousers, and just wore jeans. My bo**ocks were so cold when I arrived I figured wearing my protective clothing has 2 advantages.

To be fair to your question about the back protector, it takes less than 10 seconds to put on my Forcefield one - surely you can live with this when just "popping out" and save the money?

Horness

[wiffers]

Just more to carry if I'm walking about.

9/10 I'll wear my full one anyway

[Korben]

Always tool fully up... Can't even imagine riding without my back protector now... Would feel wrong for me..

[Guest philgale]

the least i have rode in was my boots helmet and back protector, just stuck a hoody over it.

went round corner 2 min ride and hated it.....each to there own saw 2 guys on the motorway last night one on a new r6 blew past me doing about 110 in cargo pants and trainers, i have been off twice now both times had everything on, 1 piece leathers the lot. walked away both time and riding straight away.

[wiffers]

I've now bought a forcefield insert - apparently the L2 one may be tight so I opted for L1.

So the least I'd ride with now is

Helmet

Gloves

Jacket with forcefield back protector insert

Jeans

(Usually boots too)

On any decent trip I'll add my full back protector and textile trousers

[wiffers]

OKay, question for you guys - put these in order of importance ...

I know you need them all ... but interesting to see what you'd choose if you were limited to a handful.

Currently alphabetically

Back protector

Boots (motorcycle)

Extra armour (chest and new inserts for elbows etc)

Gloves (armoured)

Helmet

Jacket (armoured, leather or textile)

Trousers (larmoured, eathers or textile)

[Guest philgale]

5 - Back protector

4 - Boots (motorcycle)

6 - Extra armour (chest and new inserts for elbows etc)

3 - Gloves (armoured)

1 - Helmet

Jacket (armoured, leather or textile)

Trousers (larmoured, eathers or textile)

2 - 1 Piece suit

added 1 piece as i would always buy that over two piece leathers

[Guest]

Cannot count the Helmet as it's a legal requirement in the UK. The rest are optional.

0 - Helmet (Protect your head)

1 - Gloves (Usually first thing to hit the floor are your hands. Also keeps them warm so you can operate the controls)

2 - Boots (Ankles easily broken)

3 - Jacket (Shoulder, Elbow, & Back armour)

4 - Trousers (Hip, thigh & bottom armour)

5 - Back Protector (Full length, Level 2. If you damage your back too badly, it's pretty much game over)

6 - Additional Armour if it's not built in to any of the above (if you've got spaces in your clothing).

Obviously for racing etc., 1-piece leathers are the way to go. However I'd look like a condom stuffed with lard if I wore those.

[jamo]

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Boots

Trousers

Back protector

Extra armour

I was really torn between boots and trousers...thats a tough one. But thats how i rate it.

Will never leave without jacket, gloves and helmet. But as said before, im guilty of riding 5 minutes to work in jeans.

[wiffers]

When I was in Italy last summer, I was driving around 70MPH in a car, and a bike shot past me, I'd say at least 100MPH.

Rider - Trainers / Shorts

Pillion - Flip Flops / Bikini

... and that's it, no boots, no jacket, no gloves, no helmet, no top (for the man).

They may as well both been naked

[Korben]

1 Helmet

2 Back protector

3 Gloves (armoured)

4 Boots (motorcycle)

5 Extra armour (chest and new inserts for elbows etc)

6 Jacket (armoured, leather or textile) Trousers (armoured, leathers or textile)

Helmet... Obvious.. Your brain is in there... Plus I am ugly enough without half my face scrapped away!!

Back Protector... Downer if you have an accident and your head is ok, but because your spine snapped in the wrong place your brain can't send signals to your body to make it move.

Gloves... As said, normally the first thing to hit the ground is your hands.

Boots... As said, ankles bend the wrong way far too easily..

Extra armour... Important to help you walk away although ribs, elbows and shoulders fix fairly well when broken.

Jacket & Trousers... Again important, although Road Rash is very rarely a killer

Seriously considering upgrading my thigh and pelvis protection. A broken pelvis can be very very dangerous!!

[Guest]

A broken pelvis can be very very dangerous!!

You can lose up to 5 litres of blood from a fractured pelvis - you'll be dead by 3 litres - which is, coincidentally, how much you can lose from a fractured femur.

I was told by a pathologist that a common injury for bikers was a ruptured spleen - you can bleed to death quickly just from the internal haemorrhage from the spleen (and/or liver).

And as Natasha Richardson demonstrated this week, a blunt force trauma to the head can kill you quickly too.

[rennie]

i often ride in jeans! especially if going to work or back.

all this gear is a fairly recent thing!

in my youth everybody wore jeans, trainers, leather jacket.

i'm not saying it's right or clever but i enjoy the freedom!, my choice!

also, no-one has mentioned the best bit of safety equipment of all !!!

your brain!, ride safely and don't fall off in the first place!

[Jixerman]

just what I was thinking Rennie

Im a jeans person......always have been

Bike gear has come a long way from the 80's and 90's

Always a leather jacket (no armour in days gone by), gloves. Before return I used to wear steel capped 18 hole Doc Martens

When I had my off last year it was at about 40mph I'd say by the time I was railroading the kerb, but I wasn't watching the speedo as I was concentrating on my landing in the bushes.

Bike trapped my ankle, and if i wasn't wearing my Frank Thomas boots I'm sure I would have been taking a trip with a broken ankle in an ambulance. Even so, I'm pretty sure I chipped a bone, but it could have been worse.

I'm also sure that the way I ride helped. I have the ball of my foot on the peg and tuck my foot well in and dont use my instep and poke my toes out like most I see.

No damage to the jeans or my legs.

[Ratser]

Just bought one of yon Forcefield chaps today.

20% off at J&S so got it for £79.

Also bought a new Arlen Ness jacket, again 20% off.

[Hoody]

0 Helmet - As PPF says - legal requirement

1 Gloves (armoured) - Not necessarily 'armoured' but sturdy. If you damage your hands you can't do anything, write, use a computer, eat, drink etc. It's what sets us apart from the other animals - our dexterity

2 Boots (motorcycle) - Again, shattered ankles = loss of mobility

3 Jacket (armoured, leather or textile) Modern textiles are extremely good and with a built in back protector gives you all you need.

4 Trousers (larmoured, eathers or textile)

5 Back protector - personal choice. I prefer ones integral to jacket, can't get on with seperate ones

6 Extra armour (chest and new inserts for elbows etc) - Provided it is CE wouldn't bother. There are different levels though, if you have all the gear and want to upgrade the choice is yours