Back protection in a motorcycle jacket: which one to choose?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

A motorcycle jacket is the most important piece of equipment for any motorcyclist, and while attention to detail is also important, don't forget the essentials. Perhaps we can agree that a few decades ago, bikers cut through the expanses of roads on heavy "choppers", and they did not need anything other than a leather jacket. But in our time, traffic is not at all the same, and speeds have increased noticeably, and at the same time the level of equipment should increase.

Despite the fact that back protection in a motorcycle jacket has appeared relatively recently, as well as chest protective plates, it is already an integral part of the equipment of a sportbike owner.

Destination

Back and chest protection is kind of like armor. By the way, it is used not only by motorcyclists, but also by athletes such as snowboarders, skiers and even cyclists. The protection protects against injury in an accident and gives a feeling of calmness when driving: this allows the driver to cope with many of the fears associated with driving. It will be of great benefit to beginners, and not only because it will save you from a number of injuries, but also because of the psychological aspect, because many of the subtleties of driving can only be mastered at speed.

Who elseWould a back protector help? It must be included in the motorcycle jacket of a crossbike lover. In motocross, you can not only increase your physical performance (after all, driving a motorcycle in off-road conditions is not the same as merging with a sportbike to cut through perfect asph alt), but also really learn how to fly in the literal and figurative sense. And since falling in this sport is a simple matter, getting a good “equipment” is worth it right away.

Back protection

It is possible to insert a special part into a modern motorcycle jacket. This is a polyurethane shell, which is placed instead of foam pads on the back, which practically do not protect against anything. This is the so-called built-in back protection. You can add protection to the IXS motorcycle jacket for prices that are very reasonable for most motorcyclists, starting at two thousand rubles.

There is another type - a separate protection for the back. It is not built into a motorcycle jacket, as can be seen from the name. It has straps and is worn over the jacket.

Gladiator style

There are more "heavy" armor for all motorcyclists, but this is especially true, of course, motocross. It will be about the so-called shells and turtles. These types of equipment protect not only the back, but also the chest, shoulders and elbows (in the case of the "turtle"). The difference between them may not be clear at first glance, but in reality everything is simple. "Shell" is a monolithic protection for the back. Of course, you can’t build this into a motorcycle jacket, itworn over it, as well as a separate protection. "Shell" provides protection for the back, waist and chest.

"Turtle" is more like a composite armor. It also protects both the back and chest, and in addition it has plates that ensure the safety of the shoulders and elbows (in the case of the "shell" they must be purchased separately). Turtle is not a one-piece system, but it has a lot of straps and buckles, which allows you to customize it so that the fit to the body is as tight as possible, and this is the most important thing.

What to choose?

So, if you decide that you don’t need one-piece protection, such as a “shell” or “turtle”, and you can get by with only a polyurethane foam back, then the first question that arises is what kind of protection it should be: stand-alone or built-in?

Both of them, perhaps, are similar to each other, like "shell" and "tortoise", but there are nuances, and it is impossible to say unequivocally which is better. Each rider should choose the appropriate option based on their preferences.

So, both separate and built-in protection have both a number of disadvantages and advantages, as well as similar features. First, in both cases, the back will sweat a lot. It would seem that built-in protection should be devoid of this drawback, but in fact a polyurethane foam plate, which heats up in the sun and does not let air through at all, collects condensate no less than a solid separate one. Secondly, if we talk about carrying them in your hands, it can alsoit seems that built-in protection for the back is more convenient. You can, for example, put only one hand into a motorcycle jacket and leave it hanging on your shoulder. However, the same can be done with a separate protection.

Main differences

Perhaps we can start with the price. Embedded plate, albeit not much, but cheaper. Also, its advantage is that you do not need to wear, and therefore put on / take off an additional piece of equipment. If necessary, you can also take a backpack, which will be very problematic if you have a separate back protection. An Alpinestars, IXS, or any other motorcycle jacket can easily add this extra detail without compromising on looks.

Removable plate protection on the straps always fits more tightly, which is the most important thing. After all, what is the use of it, if at the most necessary moment, during an impact or sliding on the asph alt, the plate will shift or even fly off? In addition, as a rule, a separate protection has an area larger than a built-in one, it also captures the lower back.

About the weather and change of equipment

The question of security has been considered, now another one is on the agenda - about practicality. It will come as no surprise to anyone that everyone who has been riding a bike for more than a year has several sets of equipment. Sometimes this is simply due to the passage of time: a person studies his needs better and gradually collects a new “equipment”. And one day the question arises, what should be the protection for the back?

Bit is not a problem to install a motorcycle jacket of almost any sample, but if there are several jackets, it becomes very expensive. But you can have only one separate protection and put it on over any other basic equipment, no matter what material it is. No built-in back protection in a motorcycle jacket can boast of this. With Velcro, if available, it becomes even easier: as a rule, the Velcro fastener serves as an additional tie on the belt.

About companies

Now many different companies are engaged in the production of equipment. They compete with each other, trying to hit the buyer with new production technologies, materials, design, and for motorcyclists it is only good: it is always good to have a wide choice. However, due to this competition, it often happens that parts of the equipment of different companies are not complementary to each other. So is the built-in back protector.

It is rare to insert a plate from, for example, an IXS into a Spyke motorcycle jacket and vice versa. Thus, if a motorcyclist bought equipment from one company, then it is also easiest to buy parts for its upgrade from the same manufacturer. This must be taken into account, because prices for the same product may vary. For example, back protection in a Dainese motorcycle jacket will cost at least 4 thousand rubles, which can be said about ergonomic models of individual plates, the price of which reaches 10-15 thousand.