[kempy1978]

Keen to get your thoughts here, guess this is really aimed at those with a UE or DS, or any others who do actually take their bikes off the tarmac.

At the weekend just gone, 3 of us (UE, KTM990 Adventurer, and me on my DS) went for a good morning of trail riding.

The UE rider hit an unexpected rock, throwing his front wheel up while at an angle, and causing him to plant the bike down hard and heavy on the rocky trail beneath. Now although this was at 15-20mph - he didn't walk away laughing....

4 broken ribs, broken collar bone, punctured and collapsed lung, lot of pressure on his sternum... All in all, a few days in hospital and a long time off the bike...

It got me thinking into body armor - MotoX style, and whether or not anyone currently uses is? I am looking into options but can see myself ordering some Fox overlay Chest and Back protection - which can be worn under my coat in winter - or over a top in summer?

thoughts?

 

[AnotherHobby]

I had an Icon that I frequently took off pavement for 2 years, which I just sold and I'm waiting for my DS to come in next week. I don't wear motoX gear, but I do always keep myself what I would refer to as "fashionably protected," which is to say there is more protective/ideal gear than what I wear, but it's the balance of look, comfort, and protection from head to toe that works for me.

I have an Arai XD4 helmet (flare red), a Belstaff Mojave jacket in dark brown with full D30 armor (elbows, shoulders, back), Icon Hypersport Pro Short Gloves in white, Klim K Fifty 1 jeans with D30 in the knees and hips, along with a tailbone pad, and then brown TCX X-Blend TP boots. When I go offroad, I often wear Aerostitch Darian Pants instead of the Klim jeans, and I also have a Tour Master Draft Air 2 jacket for hot days when the Belstaff is too much (over 80° F).

I never ride on or off pavement without some combo of full gear. I'd love to have gear for every riding scenario for more flexibility, but I've already got almost $3k wrapped up in it already, so I just work with what I have.

 

[kempy1978]

im hearing you, exactly the same in that I have
1 piece track leathers
2 piece regular use leathers (from sport bike days)
Various Kevlar jeans, riding trousers, long coats, short jackets etc etc... all good stuff..

but

in light of recent events, think a chest and spine protector (rather than the foam insert in the back of my jackets) will be on order.

thanks for the message..

PS.... am sure you will love the DS when it arrives, they are superb machines

 

[Sprint1500]

Take a look at www.planet-knox.com. These guys invented the first back protector (I believe). They do some targeted more at off road but tonne honest there are some great quality body armour products. I wear a Defender Elite shirt with upgraded CE level 2 shoulder and elbow armour. The back protector is full length. They also just launched their micro armour. Take a look.