Get some back-up

Are back protectors relevant to normal road riders? This is what the Department for Transport has to say on the matter.

“Extra pieces of kit such as a back protector can be a vital form of protection for your spine”.
Spinal Research estimates that every week two British bikers end up in a wheelchair, and motorcycle accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal injury, not only in the UK but also in the USA.

Back protectors don’t just protect the spine; they are also designed to help prevent damage to internal organs, like the kidneys, which can be harmed by a heavy external blow. Most professional motorcyclists – racers, police, even journalists – wouldn’t ride without one.

In 2003 the European Union introduced a new, tougher, standard specifically for back protectors, leaving standard 1621-1 to cover impact protection for limbs. The authors recognised that protectors need to be comfortable (otherwise they will not be worn) and the test methods are designed to provide information on protection against impacts against edges such as kerbstones.

“The performance requirements have been chosen as a best practical compromise between protection, comfort, and ergonomic requirements.”

The testing procedure is similar to the original one for limb protectors, but the back protector must be capable of absorbing twice as much energy as the impact protector, transmitting only 18 kN (from a 50J impact). However, the standard also allows for an even tougher test, called Level 2, for which products may transmit only 9 kN, absorbing a massive 41kN of energy. This gives customers a choice between regular back protectors (Level 1) and high performance versions (Level 2) for racing, track days and extreme riding.

The standard also insists that specific areas of the back must be covered, thus providing additional protection for internal organs, particularly kidneys and lungs (which are frequently punctured by broken ribs). Manufacturers are also required to specify which size of torso the back protector is designed for. So when choosing a back protector make sure it meets the latest standards (EN1621-2), carries the CE mark and is the right size (it should cover the coccyx but not be so long that it is pushed up when you’re in the saddle).

Call 01900 825825 or visit http://www.planet-knox.com/ for more information.