upper body armor question

[China_Racer_1]

So The question might be more of a taste issue for some but I want to know if anyone has experiance with any of these two items.

I have been searching for a good protection system that covers the back ribs and chest.

Mind you I race hard core over here and I will be crashing. Its not if I crash its WHEN I crash.. I want to be protected as much as possible.

First up is the Alpinstart system


I figure this is made for racing specifically so thats a plus and it has a very good proteciton rating. The only issue is maybe the rib protection



Next is the ICON system. Though they tend to be sized small I can order a bit bigger and thats no longer an issue.

I tend to like this for its back and rib protection but it seems weak in the chest protection area.

Outward size is nto an issue. I have my race suits custom fit so I can get measured with this on and still have leathers that fit comfortably and not too tight trying to stuff this under my suit.

So please toss me a bit of feed back even if its just an opinion.

I have crashed a lot in the past 31 year and have broken a fare share of ribs but never hurt my sternum area so the ICON is up on the list. It just looks a bit to restrictive thus the need for practicle, experiance input.

Cost is double for the Alpine star but I don't look at that when it comes to saving my ass..... plus the wife said get what I want its my life he he he. good valentines day gift from her 'cause she Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvs me

Thanks guy

[China_Racer_1]

I guess no body wears armor.

thats ok I got answeres from some blokes on another site

[China_Racer_1]

If anyone is interested you might want to go to a company called Knox which I found here:

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Pa ... Protectors

and check out the body armor they have.

I serached a lot of placs world wide and Knox seems tohave the best rated stuff at the best price.

I went with this chest protector that was only about 60 USD


Far less than the alpinstar or Icon though it is chest and rib only it intergrates with back protectors and actually is such that it hooks up to tany of teh Knx back protectors to give you a secure wraped around protection.

If your racing I would highly recomend some sort of chest and rib protection this is a cheap way to keep you a bit safer givein the high speeds on teh track.

Also Ithink it wil make you a more relaxed rider knowing you have a bit more protection.

I know when I have good safety gear on I always feel better and more relaxed out there and can concentrate on racing as fast as I am able with out holing back.

I mostly got this chest protector because the F1 rtack her is super high speed in about every corner except a few of the hair pins.

Binning it up at the F1 track (while a safe track to run off) if you go down or high side there your going for a serious ride.

Stay safe my friends

[yamaha_george]

Steve,
sorry missed the start of this thread with all the crap going on else where.
The Knox kit is the best all round , the old wisdom was that no matter what get on your back in a crash it is how the body is built.
the chest stuff is fine for everyday since some dumn ass in a cage might pull across you but in racing head on is not likely, partial T boning is very rare but hi sdes and low sides are the "norm" where going on your back is almost inevitable.
Just my 2C

[China_Racer_1]

Yeah I have a good back protector of course but wanted a bit more on the ribs and this works well as well as protects the chest.

Around here there are so many amatuers in the same race we are but in a diferent class. They crash in fornt of me all the time and I know sooner or later I will t bone one of these guys.

When we pratice its all at once even the little scooters mixed in with the openclass superbikes right up to 1000cc. Its crazy.

Mayeb I am gettin gold but it seems to hurt when I crash sometimes. I wonder if I am the only one...does anyone else experiance pain whenthey crash or is it jsut me? he he he.

Seroiously though I figure why not add more as long as it does not get in my way. I feel safer out there when I am geared up proper as well and tend to go a bit faster.

I need to go really fast this year. Lots of fast guys out there now. Not like a few years ago.

[yamaha_george]

Yeah I have a good back protector of course but wanted a bit more on the ribs and this works well as well as protects the chest.

Around here there are so many amatuers in the same race we are but in a diferent class. They crash in fornt of me all the time and I know sooner or later I will t bone one of these guys.

When we pratice its all at once even the little scooters mixed in with the openclass superbikes right up to 1000cc. Its crazy.

Mayeb I am gettin gold but it seems to hurt when I crash sometimes. I wonder if I am the only one...does anyone else experiance pain whenthey crash or is it jsut me? he he he.

Seroiously though I figure why not add more as long as it does not get in my way. I feel safer out there when I am geared up proper as well and tend to go a bit faster.

I need to go really fast this year. Lots of fast guys out there now. Not like a few years ago.

Steve , its fear that keeps us within the envelope of go fast but confident

[shift]

If anyone is interested you might want to go to a company called Knox which I found here:

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Pa ... Protectors

and check out the body armor they have.

I serached a lot of placs world wide and Knox seems tohave the best rated stuff at the best price.

I went with this chest protector that was only about 60 USD


Far less than the alpinstar or Icon though it is chest and rib only it intergrates with back protectors and actually is such that it hooks up to tany of teh Knx back protectors to give you a secure wraped around protection.

If your racing I would highly recomend some sort of chest and rib protection this is a cheap way to keep you a bit safer givein the high speeds on teh track.

Also Ithink it wil make you a more relaxed rider knowing you have a bit more protection.

I know when I have good safety gear on I always feel better and more relaxed out there and can concentrate on racing as fast as I am able with out holing back.

I mostly got this chest protector because the F1 rtack her is super high speed in about every corner except a few of the hair pins.

Binning it up at the F1 track (while a safe track to run off) if you go down or high side there your going for a serious ride.

Stay safe my friends

that chest protector looks pretty good. the icon back/chest protector above is more gimmicky than anything. i had one for a year before i looked into just how safe certain back protectors truly are. i ended up giving it to someone who had no back protector at all.

knox makes some very nice, quality safety gear, as does spidi. for back protectors, i look for a honeycomb impact absorption type system. those are proven to lessen the forces which are headed for the spine and tiny bony processes all over it better than most all other systems. however, they are a "one time use" piece of gear. once they take that big hit, you need a new one.

i've thought about adding a kidney belt to my riding gear. dirt bikers wear them...

[old_school]

China,

I bought the icon systems for both me and my son they look cool and feel like they offer good coverage but i couldn't offer any advice if they would holdup in a slide. I agree on chest protection seems light but the spine protection is nice and meaty. (almost turtle like) They only come in two sizes regular and large.. the large isn't large enough.. I'm 6'2 and 250..

PS i bought my sons gear for about $120 and bought mine for $75 shipped from ebay used but perfect.