Chest Protector/Body Armor ?

Discussion in 'Common Items on Husqvarnas: Tires/tubes/grips/etc' started by NCSteve, May 10, 2015.

  1. NCSteve Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Appalachia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    12 WR300 13 WR165
    Other Motorcycles:
    02 XR250R 00 XR100R
    I need to upgrade, but don't find a lot of reviews/tests of current choices. Searched here and googled around, reading user reviews online, etc, but don't find answers to my concerns.
    I want hard shell shoulder, chest and elbow protection with the option of back protection when/if I go racing. One of my main concerns is puncture protection for thick woods riding/racing. The typical roost deflector and even better chest protectors seem too thin to protect from punctures.
    I was considering EVS G6 armor, but just found a comment that it's thin, cheap and hot. My current Fly armor is thick and way too hot for summer time here. The shoulder and elbow protection is good, but with the front and back removed I don't have any puncture protection. Was thinking to add a roost guard or chest protector with good ventilation, but they all look thin and cheap. :confused:
    Just to be clear, I love sight seeing and putting around, but I'm looking for off-road, race worthy protection.

    :cheers:
    ray_ray likes this.
  2. Darkside Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none left
    Other Motorcycles:
    beta, ktm, aprilia
    I really liked what I read about the Tekvest. Great design with pockets, until I saw how much it costs...ouch
    guess I'll stick with my axo pressure suit

    http://www.tekrider.com/rm_1.html
  3. NCSteve Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Appalachia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    12 WR300 13 WR165
    Other Motorcycles:
    02 XR250R 00 XR100R
    Yea, nice but too spendy right now. Easiest for me is to get a good chest protector. Current shoulder and elbow armor works good enough, I just tested it yesterday :rolleyes: Anyone use the Fox Air Frame or Pro Frame?
  4. troy deck Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Republic MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    87 250wr 12 cr125
    Other Motorcycles:
    kx65 ty80 rm80 kdx250
    JEEEEZ HOW DO THEY SELL ANY AT THAT PRICE:eek:
  5. ptkatoomer Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    San Diego area
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    None
    Other Motorcycles:
    2020 ktm 300 xc-w, 2020 ktm 500exc
    I've been considering the tld or leatt full protectors . They might be a little restrictive but the coverage looks good.
    NCSteve likes this.
  6. ray_ray Mini-Sponsor

    Location:
    The Philippines
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    08\013 WR250, 010 TC250, 012 TC250
    Some of that stuff above looks like pretty darn good protection for the upper body ...Almost extreme ... But if I was wringing it out in the desert or some other place high speed, I'd want that stuff. I wear a cheap chest protector (white in color to ward off heat) that has ~good shoulder protection along with some Scott MX knee guards ... Not sure how the Scotts' work but these actually push upwards on my legs and stay in place ... Cheap elbow guards.

    I'm big on risk-assessment when riding, always ... If you watch any of the Tag hill videos I post here, I've rolled down that hill lots looking for places I do not wanna hit (risk assessment) and I use that point&shoot method rounding corners ... My top~speed is ~35mph on the straights? I've read in the past that after 30MPH, all bets are off for living thru a crash ... With the risk assessment and covering my levers, I call this ~safe riding...

    Breaking both my collar bones, my fault ... The bone I stuck out my lower leg, my fault. The crushed vertebra in my back, my fault. At age 57, I can't handle the down time or pain anymore. Put that gear on but get seat time and do not ride over your head, ESP with speed. Most of us are 1 bad crash from hanging the boots up ... Same goes for PRO riders also.

    These words always get a laugh but I live by them... Learn how to ride your bike and learn how to crash. You are your own keeper ... Not the gear...Ride within your means and pick a good line over your terrain. We are participants in the greatest sport on earth maybe and it can lay you in the shade also at about any moment.
    NCSteve likes this.
  7. NCSteve Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Appalachia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    12 WR300 13 WR165
    Other Motorcycles:
    02 XR250R 00 XR100R
    Both TLD and Leatt look good and at that price point should be top quality. I don't see anyone complaining about the TLD gear. For now I'm just going to add a chest protector and use my current armor with just shoulder and elbow guards. That should get me through the summer and maybe a couple of races. During cooler weather I'd rather wear full armor, but it all looks too hot for summer time use so far.
    Think I'll try this one for now
    fox_ProFrameLC.jpg
    Wise words, thanks for your comments :thumbsup: I guess I've been lucky, only breaks I've had in a lifetime of riding and racing is a collar bone and left foot, a few tweaked knees which haunt me now and the worst was a severely bruised back. At 50 I still like the speed, but am much more careful.

    :cheers:
    shawbagga likes this.
  8. lankydoug Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    TM 300en
    I have a Fox just like pictured above and a Troy Lee and the Troy Lee is better quality
    shawbagga and NCSteve like this.
  9. lankydoug Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    TM 300en
    Along the same topic, if you wear an Atlas neck brace the Troy Lee has the most clearance of any armor I have found so far. Plenty work with the Leatt but the Atlas requires more room.
  10. Rob578 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Atlanta GA was CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Beta 300RR Beta 500RS TE 630
    Other Motorcycles:
    Honda 919 sold FJR1300 sold
    Check out the rock garden gear... I use an older Flak Jacket that does a good job of fending off trees, briars and rocks.
  11. GMP Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Other Motorcycles:
    '13 Beta 300RR Racing
    I have a Fox Airframe and recently got an Atlas Air brace. The Atlas fits fine with the Fox, in fact the CP captures and holds it down nice and snug. I zip tied two large orings (exhaust orings) to the shoulder cups, the other side slip into the clips that normally hold the straps of the Atlas harness. Now when you put on your hydration pack, the brace is pulled down and the shoulder straps of the pack are prevented from migrating under the brace. Works really well.
  12. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    Buddy of mine just got one of these and loves it. Its $400 but is a chect protector and neck brace combo.

    [IMG]
  13. Tinken Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Hesperia, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    MY12 WR511
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha
    I bought one of those Leatt chest protector neck brace combo's for Stacy, but it was too limiting for her to race in, so it went back. What I use is similar, but the Leatt HD 5.5 Pro that doesn't have the neck brace attached to it. It offers side ribcage protection and I have tested it several times in the sharp rocks..

    [IMG]
    NCSteve likes this.
  14. GMP Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Other Motorcycles:
    '13 Beta 300RR Racing
    I looked at the Fusion 3 but it was too bulky, restrictive, and the shoulder cups were goofy and sat more on your upper arm than shoulder. Also seemed like it would be pretty hot in summer. Plus, CPs get beat in a couple years then your out $400 vs. $100 or less. The Atlas Air is really nice, glad I waited for it. I don't notice it at all riding even with a plated collarbone, can't stand a Leatt for that reason. A Fox Airframe is pretty basic, works good for me, and if the AA fits with that it should fit with others as well.
  15. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    Body types. My buddy says his fits and feels perfect. It is warm though.
  16. Clete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Tigard, OR
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '01 CR/WR 250, '13 650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    '06 Suzuki SV650 (gone)
    Yep, very small range of movement or adjustment up or down. With helmet on I couldnt look down, at all.
    I tried on the brace by itself, nope, not going to fit either.
  17. Clete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Tigard, OR
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '01 CR/WR 250, '13 650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    '06 Suzuki SV650 (gone)
  18. lankydoug Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    TM 300en
    That's a true statement, my son is 6'9" and 210 lbs and I'm 6'6" 205 lbs so nobody should listen to what we like. :cool:
    Tinken likes this.
  19. Johnrg Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Santa Barbara
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2013 TE 310 R
    Other Motorcycles:
    Ducati Sport Classic/Ducati SFV2
  20. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many

    unless your 6-6 or so ;)
    NCSteve likes this.