Neck Safety Gear

[Motosportz]

Just like seat belts, they only seemed restrictive/uncomfortable at first.

Good stuff. I borrowed Jakes neckbrace setup to moto Washougal. At first it seemed very limiting, I changed my posture some and got used to it and it was OK. I did feel more protected. For my woods riding it would be near impossible though, you need to duck under partially downed trees, look everywhere, and be flexible. I feel like a gymnast sometimes.

 

[ray_ray]

Thanks for all of the replies! I'm feeling old an not so invinceable any more and decided I should start looking into a little more protection. I'm also looking into something that offers more lower back protection. My Acerbis zoom chest protector offers no protection to my lower back.

Has anyone tried one of these?
http://m.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/6/10/41185/ITEM/SixSixOne-Corpe-Saver-Wired.aspx

While not a fashionista, I'm somewhat old school and don't want to look like robocop, this under a jersey along with some neck protection might fit the bill for most occasions?

Reality is you are probability old and we are not invincible no matter what we wear ... Get off the bleeding edge of speed you might be carrying and the chances of crashing go way down ... Same for you and PROs such as JS7 ... We're all just bike riders trying not to make a mistake when riding ...

Another point here is risk ... The risk of riding a bike should be considered and managed ...Adding more safety gear actually is on the back side of the risk involved in riding a bike ... The crash itself is the first risk ... The gear is a hedge against the crash when the crash is realized ... Manage your risk wisely and maybe the hedge does not turn out to be so important...

 

[adam6402]

Reality is you are probability old and we are not invincible no matter what we wear ... Get off the bleeding edge of speed you might be carrying and the chances of crashing go way down ... Same for you and PROs such as JS7 ... We're all just bike riders trying not to make a mistake when riding ...

Another point here is risk ... The risk of riding a bike should be considered and managed ...Adding more safety gear actually is on the back side of the risk involved in riding a bike ... The crash itself is the first risk ... The gear is a hedge against the crash when the crash is realized ... Manage your risk wisely and maybe the hedge does not turn out to be so important...

I do ride my age, not crazy, but some time stuff sneaks up on you and even relatively low speed spills can be very damaging. I was at a trail riding area along time ago and one guy was freshly unloaded and on his way out into the woods at a reasonable speed when another guy came full blast out of a trail head and they collided head on, and literally smashed head and chest first into each other, one of the scarrist wrecks I've seen in person.

 

[ray_ray]

I do ride my age, not crazy, but some time stuff sneaks up on you and even relatively low speed spills can be very damaging. I was at a trail riding area along time ago and one guy was freshly unloaded and on his way out into the woods at a reasonable speed when another guy came full blast out of a trail head and they collided head on, and literally smashed head and chest first into each other, one of the scarrist wrecks I've seen in person.

Yep speed is not always the culprit ... And I know what you mean on other riders ... GPNF has mostly 2 way trails (some fast) and ride enough, and you are gonna meet someone headon ...

I always pay close attention to the landing zone of any possible crash .... If it looks like a hard landing zone, I'm pretty cautious for myself and my bike ... Maybe a sandy, rock free, landing area and I'm not overly concerned on a crash ..

 

[R-J van Hulst]

I do wear my protection and an alpine star neck brace is part of it.

I was concerned about the limiting movement factor but to be honest I don't really experience limitation, except when you're sitting on the bike just started and want to push back the choke (no way you see what you doing)

it fits nicely with the chest protection (also ergonomic shaped) and way better then the old one i had.

when you ride with bamboo in your area a chest protection is a must (bamboo rips/stabs through everything like a knife)

upgraded my boots to sidi crossfires this year (very very happy with them)

I also do wear knee and elbow protection (and do need them if i see the scratches on them) again bamboo and though bushes with thorns are the reason of that.

better safe then sorry (living in a third world country with a limited healthcare system) its a no brainer to pack yourself up like this

Robert-Jan

 

[Tinken]

Wow, Bamboo! That's like jousting without armor plate.. Haha

 

[Zomby woof]

I bought an EVS Evo brace as soon as they came out. I found it a little restrictive at first, but felt naked without it soon after. I believe it works, but I believe it also caused me another problem. I had a light crash in my first race using it, and could tell right away how welll it restricts head movement. I didn't feel right for the rest of the season after that crash (in hindsight). Not until I had another light crash at the beginning of the next season (and got a concussion so bad I couldn't even stand) did I realize what happened the previous year. I've been dealing with that concussion for 3 years now, and no longer wear that brace. I wear a neck roll figuring it's probably a lot safer than nothing.

 

[Suamico SD]

I bought an EVS Evo brace as soon as they came out. I found it a little restrictive at first, but felt naked without it soon after. I believe it works, but I believe it also caused me another problem. I had a light crash in my first race using it, and could tell right away how welll it restricts head movement. I didn't feel right for the rest of the season after that crash (in hindsight). Not until I had another light crash at the beginning of the next season (and got a concussion so bad I couldn't even stand) did I realize what happened the previous year. I've been dealing with that concussion for 3 years now, and no longer wear that brace. I wear a neck roll figuring it's probably a lot safer than nothing.

It sounds like our blaming the neck brace for your concussion. I worked every WIXC hare scrambles race this last year and picked up a lot of riders. Neck braces work, just like helmets work. That is only when your wearing one and one that fits and is not a pos.

Everyone can make their own choices and I respect that. I live in the land of Harley and see too many street riders get their live cut short because it was too hot or not cool. ATGATT!

 

[McKay]

There will be trade offs, no doubt. We just have to decide what we are willing to except to keep walking on our own two feet.
Dangit, its too close to Xmas to be considering another EXPENSIVE piece of gear, I hate you guys!

 

[Zomby woof]

It sounds like our blaming the neck brace for your concussion

There is no question that it was responsible. I've heard other reports of the same thing as well as broken collarbones. It's a tradeoff. For me, the neck roll seems like a fair compromise.

 

[lankydoug]

I wear a $40 horse collar type EVS fastened to Fox body armor. I think it has cushioned the impact of a couple of crashes and don't notice any restriction to movement. I bought it to make due until I committed to a Leatte brace but I'm actually pretty happy with the EVS and I'm no longer interested in a different brace.

 

[dfeckel]

I wear a Leatt. I have two ergonomic issues with it. First, it limits my backwards head tilt enough to make it difficult to see down the trail on downhills when standing in the attack position. Second, it sometimes settles to one side and chafes my neck. However, I"m happy to put up with these foibles for the added protection.

I had the unfortunate opportunity to test it this year. I hit a hidden log just off a fire cut and went over the bars. I landed flat on my face at the base of a tree, the top of my head hitting the tree hard. My neck is still a little tweaked from that, but I shudder to think how much damage I would have received without the brace.

This little experience, plus the torn meniscus in my knee (had surgery in June, but still feels only 80%) has served to reduce my competitive drive somewhat.

 

[Suamico SD]

There is no question that it was responsible. I've heard other reports of the same thing as well as broken collarbones. It's a tradeoff. For me, the neck roll seems like a fair compromise.

A concussion is from direct head trauma, neck braces do not cause concussions.

 

[street2dirt]

I have the Leatt and this is my 3rd season with it. At first it was a little restrictive, but when I went to a Suomy from my Thor Quadrant it made a HUGE difference in feel. So the helmet makes a difference. Also got the Leatt chest protector & it makes the neck brace ride much better on my shoulders....... Getting ready for another helmet, possibly a Moto9, hope it feels like the Suomy.....

 

[McKay]

A concussion is from direct head trauma, neck braces do not cause concussions.

In my EMT school many moons ago, they taught us that a concussion was the slamming of the brain against the skull causing a compression injury.
If this is true, direct head trauma is not necessary, only rapid a deceleration is needed, i.e.. head in helmet coming to abrupt stop when neck brace contacts bottom of helmet and stops its direction of travel.

 

[Suamico SD]

So, without the brace it would stop at your shoulders? SNAP!

I have ramps at my house for someone who belived they could take shortcuts.

 

[McKay]

I cant tell if you support them or not or if you have issue with what Zomby said.
I think they are a good idea and am actively researching them now. This thread is a good start for me anyhow.

 

[Suamico SD]

I am a strong supporter of Neck braces, knee braces and helmets!

 

[MikeB]

I have 2 different set-ups:
1st was a good chest protector with the EVS roll attached to it. I've landed on my head single tracking with it and it does a very good job of decreasing neck strain. It does limit air flow a bit so it's nicer in winter than summer.
2nd is a newer EVS EVO which I wear most of the time now. I've duct taped a camelback to it for back protection and hung the upper half of a chest protector to it for front protection. It sits on my shoulders very well and doesn't limit my movement at all. (I have removed the EVS neck padding which never fit well and installed some firm packing type foam. I probably decreased the safety while increasing the comfort) Haven't had a real good lawn dart experience with the EVO on so I can't report on anything other than comfort ..... and it makes me "feel" safer and "look" like I'm actually fast.

 

[FatDaddyMX]

Funny, Some of the things that I am hearing here are the same things that were said when knee braces first came out. differant verbage, same tone.
look at the attitude today about them.
first and foremost, it is your choice.
do what you do and make your choices.
I am Old, Fat, Bald, and I want to do this until I die.
I will do whatever that gives me that extra time.
Today, ist going slow. LOL!!!