Motorcycle Body Armor discussion from Sportbiketrackgear.com

[nilocking17]

Ok so im getting a bike this coming summer, winter in canada so ill be waiting a few months. I know its kind of a newbie question but I really want to remain in one piece if I go down. Is the idea behind the body armour to be used on its own or in combination with jacket/suit?

[3011295jw]

I USED TO WEAR ARMOUR.....BUT THEN I TOOK AN ARROW TO THE KNEE!

[teyacapan]

great story and excelent advice.. always protect youreself

[musicmang3]

A lot of companies demo products on youtube, but it really impresses me that the guys at STG upload solid video reviews on nearly every piece of gear they sell. Next season will be my first @ the track, and STG has been the biggest help planning ahead for the right gear. I also totally agree with the safety mindset. Never make excuses and compromises w/ your gear. The day you ride without, may be the day you go down!

[GerardoPerez]

Hes absolutely right! I going to be a first time rider soon and ive done so much research in protective gear! I see riders out here daily not wearing gear and helmets or armor and ask myself how they can be so careless! I understand budget is something many deal with but its much better to hold out until you can buy gear b4 riding imo! Something is much better then nothing! Im going to be buying the field armor hes wearing, a pair of gloves and a helmet for the time being! Better then nothing!

[bwssport40]

Hi !! the icon body armor that you wear in this video is the regular size or the XL size ???? I am 6 feet , 180 lbs ?? what size would be the best for me ?? the regular size looks small for tall guys ??? thanks for the answer

[bigbad1000do7a]

STG is awesome. These guys really go all out and know what theyre doing. Great stuff.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@bigbad1000do7a Thank you

[cntrctr86]

Dude, great reviews, Always thorough and well spoken- Very helpful!

[BigGixxerUSA]

I love these videos. I like how the presenter is well spoken and seems very educated, using references such as "six degrees of separation" and using more articulate words, and making his videos very professional. It inspires confidence in future buyers, especially me. That being said, can I get a discount??? :)

[baljci]

wow great speech dude, im gonna suit up more for my safety

[scoutGOW]

Very Helpful. Im tryen to get permission to get a licence from my parents. I want them to feel that im safe. Im setting up a budget right now for everything i would need for when I finally go in for the purchace and this is very helpful. Keep encouraging safety. To many people die from motorcycle when its avoidable.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@scoutGOW We wear our gear and promote the same for sure. The way you are going about this is smart. Buy everything at once. If you can not afford the gear then you should not ride.

[yannick4123]

@Sportbiketrackgear i agree b4 i bought my bike i spent 2 k just on protective gear--- i currently own the IXS Stunt which saved my ass b4 but now for summer i jsut got a motocross body armou to deal with the hot weather... i am a bit worried how it will do when i crash

[Richardmagda]

Dude, if and when I come in to your store lookingfor a frame slider or a pipe, please don't try to suggest that I'd buy a jacket or a glove and if you do, and keep doing that to your customers, I dont think you'd stay open too much longer.

[Khustla10R]

@Richardmagda

Yo, it's all cool, make sure your remaining relatives know to put your trashed bike up as a

"for parts" bike so the rest of us can get some deals!

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Richardmagda Thanks for the advice. We will take this under advisement.

[JonathanSandusky]

@Richardmagda I'm pretty sure that looking out for the new guy would be beneficial to a business. Armor and high-vis save lives, not loud pipes (note that the noise comes out your rear, not your front) ... not frame sliders.

[politeasskicker]

@Richardmagda i think they only asked because the guy was new. I think they would lose more business if they just let customers kill themselves consider they are all dead.... i think a lot of people appreciates the care/love they give to customers because they rather lose a sell over indulging an obviously bad judgment call. He obviously planned to fall when buying a slider but not have protection for himself? Common man! van here is obviously not gonna bug u if u did the right thing!

[Bladerunner55217]

@politeasskicker Your forgetting one important thing. It depends on how people ride. Some people cruise at 45 around town only. Some people like to speed all the time. The guy in the video is selling body Amer so it makes sense when he says about the padded shorts, " it saved his bacon many times" Many times? !!! This guy must ride like a maniac. I don't ride like that. So you see my point politeeasskicker. I think Richardmagda got this but just doesn't know how to express himself correctly :)

[politeasskicker]

@Bladerunner55217 u only need to go 25 mph to have enough force to be flung throw a brick wall... so think about it b4 saying falling while 45 mph is going to be nice and safe w/o gears. it's the kind of carelessness and failure of risk accounting that most people end up dead... going slow doesn't= safe. going fast= more risk butu can lower it with gears n skills. it's the understanding that when u r on a motorcycle u r taking more risks and should do everything u can to lower it

[Bladerunner55217]

@politeasskicker I never said about falling at 45 miles an hour , I said people ride safer at low speeds so they don't fall off ! big difference.

[Bladerunner55217]

@politeasskicker I agree about being protected 100% Just I think in reality this guy on the video would do better in relation to customers if he asked what kind of rider you are first and then see how comfortable they are with full protective gear and less protective gear and find whats comfortable for them.

[politeasskicker]

@Bladerunner55217 he established that the guy is new... it's his first bike... he wouldn't have bother if the guy wasn't new. But i c your point it's cuz van didn't really gone over the details of that went but im pretty sure the fact the guy had no gloves, no jacket on while riding..

[dot88com]

@Richardmagda when you get a little older - say into your 20's you will realize that Brian has just given you valuable FREE advice. If you are too dumb to take it on board that's your problem.

He saw a kid riding in jeans & tennis shoes. He asked the noob if he had protective gear. That shows a high level of professionalism. Brian you are a shining light in protection. Tested by you & your staff.

[itfben]

urgh i think from watching all the other videos iv seen on different product from you guys has made me value and trust your opinion, so after seen this, I wont be upgrading my cbr until after i prioritise my gear.

a cool bike isnt as cool when you cant ride is because you didn't have the gear to prevent you from riding after your accident. Thanks for your advice. :)

[MrWbodyperformance]

STG is a great place to buy stuff, when i first bought my tires thru them they were so helpful. then i bought some more stuff. there more of a caring company, its not like there out to just make a sale. I told the guy what kinda riding i do. some track but mostly street. he was so helpful with helping me pick out my stuff i only will buy stuff from them. i actually bought most of my gear from them. I also went down this year. from what the state police told me the gear saved my life. Thanks STG

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@MrWbodyperformance Thanks and we are glad you are ok. The message here is ride in your gear because you never know. You are spot on, we care because we all ride motorcycles as well.

[JoshSP2022]

Can I just ask, why do you say sportbiketrackgear twice, one after the other, when you mention the website?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@JoshSP2022 My mama always told me "practice makes perfect"

[JoshSP2022]

@Sportbiketrackgear

okay, works for me. I was just curious.

[frostedglcok]

@JoshSP2022 He mentions his username and where on the web he's from.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@cochotrilo For stunting I would make sure the back, elbows, shoulders, hips and knees are covered. The chest may not be as important. I would think most of the falls would be low speed with little tumbling.

[cochotrilo]

@Sportbiketrackgear Thanks Dude

[johanbest]

Meet the scout!

[machoptics]

dude. work your left arm. seriously

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@machoptics I was in the middle of a broken collar bone when we shot this one.

[meanhead1337]

Fantastic video :)

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@meanhead1337 Thanks

[siliconRain]

To what extent is armour necessary for around-town riding, highway riding, commuting etc?

I notice most of the armour protects the chest and back, but I can't see how those areas would ever take impact unless you're doing 100 miles an hour around a track on a sports bike and end up sliding 50 meters on your back along the road.

Good message, though, and great video.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@siliconRain Around town offers twice the risk the track does. When riding on the street you have cars, opposing traffic, fixed obstacles, cell phones, old ladys etc... The track has one way traffic, no gravel and is designed to crash on safely (well as safe as possible anyway). Risk, reward - wear your gear

[cdm623]

@siliconRain I had an accident in April, I was street riding on my '06 R6 Raven and an old guy made a left hand turn in front of me at a traffic light and totaled the bike. Of course, that was the one ride I didn't have my jacket on, and I fractured my spine in 3 spots, bruised all of my left ribs and fractured my collar bone. I was moving about 35-40 MPH. I'm ok and almost fully recovered but I always wear gear no matter where I'm going on my new R6. Wear your gear man, it's worth it.

[Armacalypse]

How safe is the best motorcycle armor really? For me to get on a motorcycle it would require at least 100 pounds of hardened steel covered in air bags.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Armacalypse Proper body armor can be the difference between serious injury and pain, life or death. This has been proven both in theory and real world results over and over again. If you are gonna ride wear your gear!

[Armacalypse]

@Sportbiketrackgear

Yes, but can you ever approach the safety of even a small car?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Armacalypse Most likely not, who cares cars suck anyway

[F8H]

Hi! First, are you Bryan from the videos? lol.. I am soon buying an AS tech aero backpack, probably from you guys, but I'm not sure if buying an AS back protector and placing it in the backpack as you show on the tech aeros's video or buying the icon field armor. The thing is I tend to do short rides about 3 times a week or so in really short rides so I don't know if it would be too much of a hastle taking it on and off for such small trips. (own a shift air avenger, no back protection) Thanks!

[F8H]

@F8H I've been researching a little more in your site (nice range of products btw) and I've come to the conclusion that chest protection is really important too, so now I don't know if save up some more money and getting the Alpinestars SP vest which provides back and better chest protection than the icon (IMO) or investing even a little more and getting the Knox Kompakt and buying a separate Knox chest protector and just attaching it to the Kompakts straps. What do you think? Thanks again!

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@F8H The SP Vest is a nice piece. If you are going KNOX I would suggest the Aegis and the chest, better match than the Kompakt IMO with the chest protector

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@F8H I see your point and for that reason I would go with the ICON Field Armor Vest. Protection does you no good if you do not wear it. I agree having to pull the back protector from the pack may create a situation where you are in a hurry and skip it.

[F8H]

@Sportbiketrackgear Ok, I guess I'll get that one then. Would it fit in the tech aero backpack? The main reason I want the backpack is to put all my protective gear away when I get to the destination. (my knee guards, gloves, helmet, and well, if possible also this vest) Thank you very much!

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@F8H I am 99% sure it will as long as you do not have a ton of other stuff in the pack

[bboynpng]

Guys don't be stupid...If its super hot ouside and you don't wanna wear your leather...at least put a body armor on! There's only two types of riders..the ones that's been down, and the one that are going down! So be smart protect yourself from the unavoidable!

[mostliberal]

I wish I would have worn some motorcycle gear at the time so I could still feel my chin and not feel stiffness in my wrist. I think I even got a concussion, because I had some temporary personality changes afterward. If I ever go out on a motorcycle at 60-75 mph, I'll make sure that I wear the best armor possible.

[mostliberal]

In 3:05, he said "don't wait until you can buy the best, buy something anyway." Wouldn't it be better to NOT ride until you can afford the best, and THEN go out risking your life? I want to learn to ride a motorcycle at some point, but in the past, I crashed on my bicycle at 20-25 mph, and the 1st thing that hit the ground was my chin. The bicycle helmet DIDN'T HELP ME AT ALL. I permanently lost feeling in my chin, and got permanent damage in the tendons in my right wrist...

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@mostliberal The best is not always a reality for everyone. Buy what you can afford and protect yourself the very best your means allow for.

[lampingromeo]

You guys rock! Love your videos! I'm a very pleased customer, keep up the good work!

[PogoTuber]

This is a great video, one for showing the various amounts of gear available in a quick overview, and two because you go into the personal safety issues and cite the occasion of the "new sportbike rider in a t-shirt wanting a pipe" anecdote that almost any rider can related to. Props for this great video.

[esse0esse]

I wish he'd spent a little more time on the armored shorts...most race leathers suit lack in that important area...pelvic and hips are vulnerable parts when sliding over the track turtles....Anyway : i like this guy .....

[rsheehan79]

I busted my knee and regained 80% of its usage. Permenant damage from hitting a deer on my bike. That made me wear a helmet no matter what. Seeing what real road rash looks like... where the skin is gone... ground off like someone ran a huge belt sander with 1/2" grit paper over it, literally holes in the skin where you could move it around and see it sliding over tendons and muscle, seeing sand and rocks wedged under it, etc... made me wear full protection. That happened at 35mph in town.

[MarineCorpsMarksman]

luckily i learned from a family member's experience that sounds similar to your's. I'm amazed to see riders in shorts and a t-shirt. i think they enjoy skin grafts.

[foithths]

what is your opinion about Acerbis Koerta Body Armour

[Whitehorze]

Tell me about it, I nearly got nailed 3 times in one day.

I alway ride with my jacket , helmet (Gmax 68 S) and gloves (Mechanix with Hard rubber finger guards and palm pads).

Next on my list is a Cortech jacket with the hard armor plates built in.

[mxzuke1737]

? here ok would you put anything on over that? what would the point be like you would still get road rash like crazy. i see guys that just have this on but i just wondering whats up with this? thak you :)

[mjfan123085]

yes you wear a jacket over this. jackets dont have chest protectors and only have foam back protection/ you have to buy the platic ones seperately.

so you can add a vest to increase armour

jacket has the shoulder and elbow, and a little forearm.

[foithths]

in my opinion the best body armor is the Dainese Wave V 1-2-3 Neck Jacket its perfect you can use any season if you cold just put it under your leather jacket

and if you use an extra airbag vest then you have the most safe gear you can have

[banstaman]

Brian i just got my brother that icon armor and he loves it - saved his life too! can't thank you enough for the review had i not been convinced to get one i wouldn't still have a brother.

[elrince89]

1000000% agree to everything Brain said..

[alenabdula]

I love your videos, I was originally thinking of going to my local bike store where I got my bike and get all my gear there but their customer service sucks. Anyways, I think this is a great video and I too am guilty of not always wearing protective gear. I recently did have a close call and right away jumped on researching for some gear. I'm glad I've found your site, will be ordering some gear soon. Thank you.

[todddhel]

you guys are the best site to get any gear and parts. the extra effort you guys put into do reviews on video is awesome. BEST WEB SITE BEST STORE AND STAFF PERIOD!!!!!!!

[rastadragon711]

@hunter I almost jumped too haha.

I like this guy though; you can never put too much emphasis on safety. Who's gonna care about how fly you look when you're paralyzed in the hospital? I think spending the extra money for protection is a smart idea that will pay off in the long run.

you can still have fun while being safer at the same time, which seems like a win-win situation, and body armor seems to be a good way of helping with that.

[Voltage1919]

Armor looks cool

[hunterx2568]

i jumped when he yelled hi in the beginning

[NoobInaCan]

that Icon is garbage piece of plastic..DO NOT BUY. All style..no performance.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Disagree completely. Is it the best, no, it is better than wearing nothing and it is very affordable

[mjfan123085]

all armour is plastic, LOL

what else will they make it from? titanium?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Plastic is more affordable and offers flexibility to reduce energy transfer. I do not believe Titanium would be a solid choice as an armor material

[openedeyedbeast123]

i dont know but they do make armor completely made of cardon fiber

[kappaball]

@mffan123

nah just drink some redbull while you're in the air and maybe then you can fly away untouched. :D

[vermin65803]

Hehe youtube the motorcycle van head on collision and then realize if its your time, then its your time but body armor WILL make everything softer untill that time comes

[MMATSdreadnautLOVER]

Hey bro can you tell me something?

I live in the Caribbean so we got forever summer here I never even saw snow in my life BTW. lol But my main fear of bikes is being paralyzed can this body armor protect my spine?

I plan to ride slow and take my time and be safe. So I am thinking maybe with some bod armor and a suite I should be almost as safe as say someone who drives a car right?

I mean I know people who died in car accidents already.

I also hear proper gear can do magic if you fall down.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Proper gear can save your life and keep you in one piece. Personally never ride without

[MMATSdreadnautLOVER]

I was thinking of getting a bike. A sportsbike maybe a Kawasaki Ninja, and then I saw a video of some guy on a road hog got run over by a truck. He was like standstill by a traffic light and some asshole truck driver crushed his pelvis and he lost almost all his organs and stuff. He somehow survived. But if I was him I prefer to be dead

I saw a video with a guy wearing protective gear and survived a 120 MPH hit. on a sports bike wow

He got up like normal and this guy was tossed 6 times in d air

[freddiebigfoot]

I understand what your saying about wearing armor but if the cheapest body armor starts at a hundred bucks then shouldn't you just use that money to get a better jacket, i.e. instead of a textile jacket with body armor just get a thick leather jacket.

[rajrentfro27]

True, but younger riders are more apt to dawn armor on hot days if its less cramping to thier style. Something like that you can wear under your clothing. I wear the Zen jacket with upgraded hard pads for street use and I still downgrade when its over 90.

[freddiebigfoot]

ehhhh.... sacrificing protection because they don't wanna loss there style... i don't know about that...

[grego10r]

good vid and they got great prices

[rajrentfro27]

Ditto! I moved down to texas and I still buy my stuff from them.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Snow in April makes me want to move to Texas! Thanks everyone

[geneorlanes]

I first became an STG customer becuase of great prices. After viewing this video, I'm glad I've returned to support a great company with a terrific attitude towards safety gear.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Thanks for the compliment and the business!

[TitanDirt04]

hey men.

am a new rider... and i just wanted to know what would be best to buy... a chest protector... or a full body armor... u see i want it for a dirt bike and i think that the full body armor thing would be to hot for the summer....

but what would u say???

thanks.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

I would (and use myself) the back and chest

[TerroristLarryPhillp]

if you wear a ballistic vest instead of that you will be protected by BALLISTICS AND TRUMA"

[biglandfarm]

thanks van, you and your staff and your store are saving lives.

[donsak11]

Super video!!!Thanks for all the hard work u 're putting in these...Van RULEZ!!!!

[RoyChicago]

I live in south Texas where summer daytime temperatures are 85-100 pretty much all summer long. I just started riding a street bike 3 months ago after a 10 year break since riding dirt bikes in high school. I have been using a leather jacket with armor but it is not going to work for the summer. Would this be a good option as opposed to wearing a t-shirt or is there a good mesh jacket that would work better for me?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Anything would be better than just a t shirt for sure. It is all about risk and reward.

[r19640]

hello bryan,

thank you for your very informative reviews.

a video like this is missing here in germany, where elderly officials, pinstripe-suited and with a necktie, strongly stick up for wearing protective clothing when riding motorbike (and everyone realizes that they believe it would be better not to ride motorbike at all).

a suggestion: when reviewing e.g. a suit - the rider could take place on a motorbike and you could demonstrate what it essential in terms of correct fit when riding.

[edmundlancelot]

these stuff are expensive...not everyone can afford...especially in asian countries..

[Sportbiketrackgear]

There is stuff at every price point. The armor is cheaper than the hospital care or the missed work. Think of it as an investment in yourself

[edmundlancelot]

ya..i noe the fact..wat i was trying to say is these stuff are expensive in asian countries cos of import duty...well..i gown bikes too and am saving money for these..watever it is we still need'em...u don't get spare parts for broken spine

[REDO5R1]

I always wear full leathers back protector shoei helmet boots and good gloves because I know all about road rash. If you brake any bones and have road rash and other wounds its likely that you will get infections and could even die as the body has to much to cope with. Always wear ya gear and if you haven't got any get some. Good post Guy's.

[evolution678]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of your great reviews, very informative truly helps in decision making.

[mrdavid012]

respect

[dryan2]

"saved my bacon"  haha

[7rams8]

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for your very informative reviews. I really like them, and they already helped me to make a choice of my riding gear. Keep up the great work!

Cheers, Bryan!

[joeinferno69]

very educational.. keep it up..