breaksalltherules
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- Nov 6, 2009
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I am currently researching motorcycle/motocross armor for use when ridding into bigger cities and wanted to post what I have found so far and get some feedback. Hopefully, everybody can add enough experience and input to make this thing pretty comprehensive.
Here are the basics,
Considerations are impact resistance, abrasion resistance, comfort, cost, look (only important to me because I like to remain lo-key and avoid attention when traveling long distance, plus looking like a body armored military personnel in other countries can certainly be a disadvantage) Also, if it's worn on the outside or as a base layer.
The official rating system for impact resistance is CE level 1 and CE level 2. CE level 2 offers a greater degree of protection. Basically, at least look for at least CE level 1. CE level 2 will cost more but considering health care cost, it could very easily pay for itself many times over.
Materials:
ABS plastic
typically used on "wear on top" variety
Pros: inexpensive
lightweight
good abrasion resistance
decent impact resistance
most widely used/available material
Cons:
does not breathe
likely to break after one time impact
can be uncomfortable
Carbon Fiber
Pros:
lightweight
best pound for pound impact resistance
Cons:
expensive
failure is almost always complete
poor abrasion resistance
Some other potential materials:
Memory foam
Kevlar
Leather
Things to protect in (probably) order of importance
1. Head (don't want this to become a thread about helmets but head injuries are the most common cause of death)
2. back (thoracic injury's rank as the most common injury in motorcycle crashes)
3. neck and clavicle
3. ribs (compression injury can easily lead to internal bleeding and organ damage)
4. hips (still leaves you vulnerable for lumbar spinal injury)
5. knees and elbows
6. feet and hands
What would you add to this? Do you have experience with a specific set of armor that has good protection for good value?
I am in NO WAY endorsing this amour but wanted to put it up as the low price point at about $25
http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Pr...d=1371144500&sr=8-2&keywords=motorcycle+armor
If it's all you can really afford, it is probably better than nothing.
Here are the basics,
Considerations are impact resistance, abrasion resistance, comfort, cost, look (only important to me because I like to remain lo-key and avoid attention when traveling long distance, plus looking like a body armored military personnel in other countries can certainly be a disadvantage) Also, if it's worn on the outside or as a base layer.
The official rating system for impact resistance is CE level 1 and CE level 2. CE level 2 offers a greater degree of protection. Basically, at least look for at least CE level 1. CE level 2 will cost more but considering health care cost, it could very easily pay for itself many times over.
Materials:
ABS plastic
typically used on "wear on top" variety
Pros: inexpensive
lightweight
good abrasion resistance
decent impact resistance
most widely used/available material
Cons:
does not breathe
likely to break after one time impact
can be uncomfortable
Carbon Fiber
Pros:
lightweight
best pound for pound impact resistance
Cons:
expensive
failure is almost always complete
poor abrasion resistance
Some other potential materials:
Memory foam
Kevlar
Leather
Things to protect in (probably) order of importance
1. Head (don't want this to become a thread about helmets but head injuries are the most common cause of death)
2. back (thoracic injury's rank as the most common injury in motorcycle crashes)
3. neck and clavicle
3. ribs (compression injury can easily lead to internal bleeding and organ damage)
4. hips (still leaves you vulnerable for lumbar spinal injury)
5. knees and elbows
6. feet and hands
What would you add to this? Do you have experience with a specific set of armor that has good protection for good value?
I am in NO WAY endorsing this amour but wanted to put it up as the low price point at about $25
http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Pr...d=1371144500&sr=8-2&keywords=motorcycle+armor
If it's all you can really afford, it is probably better than nothing.
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