Personally I wear a KNOX chest protector. It's a bit awkward when walking, but completely disappears on the bike and is thick like a 16 ounce fillet mignon for lots of protection. I worry, however, that the coverage is minimal. It seems narrow between the arms. Has anyone used something else that is comfortable and provides good coverage near the arms? -Tom
I've been wearing the knox for the past 3 seasons. I barely know it's there when I'm wearing it, but I feel naked if I neglect to but it on.
I will be trying a Knox Gillet Air vest this year. The suit is at Spyder Leatherworks getting an expansion to make room for it. A report will be coming after my first track day.
I wear the Knox also. It took a couple times for the suit to stretch a bit in the chest area and for me to get used to it. Now I don't really know it's there. I like the Knox because of the added protection it offers in the rib cage area too.
Knox here also http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=9541 Cool how it attaches to the knox back protector. Weighs next to nothing.
Tom, The thing with chest protectors and coverage is it is all personally preference. We have found that chest guards that wrap around a lot end up making it hard to move side to side on the motorcycle. The Knox Chest guard has great coverage up front and does wrap around a little bit. The New Knox Lite Chest Guard is thinner and a tad smaller than the older chest guard, this one was made for the guys who simply want some extra protection but don't want to sacrifice anything for it. Chest protectors take some time getting used to for most people, but once they are used to it, it disappears. Also, if your having an issue when walking around with it, just take it out and put it back in before the next session . Most important is how it feels when your riding your motorcycle. I highly recommend using one, the safer you can be the better. I am glad to see so many people in Knox Armor on here.
I've been wearing chest protection for years and have owned several brands. IMO, the best stuff I have found in terms of protection, comfort, etc. is anything made by T-Pro... http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/armour/ I have absolutely no relationship with the brand - financial or otherwise. I simply prefer their stuff over any others... YMMV
Good discussion! I never notice the chest protector once I'm on the bike. I only think about where it DOESN'T cover. I don't want to get my pec/delt ripped up by a footpeg. Paranoid? I'm not worried about landing on flat from altitude, but landing on the bike (or vice-versa) remains a concern. Chances are I will not switch unless something looks unbelievably comfortable with full coverage. -T
I've been using this http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/product/race-lite-chest-protector/2351 for the past almost 4 years after a friend passed from a chest injury at the track. I feel naked with out it when on the track. I don't strap it in place, just put it in when I zip up the leathers and it stays in place nicely.
I bought the Bohn package when I was still a customer a few years ago. It's a little bulky, but I couldn't ride without them. Something just wouldn't feel right. I actually have plans to move to the knox stuff this year, just haven't done it yet.
I have the Alpinestars track vest and have been pretty pleased with it. Very nice fit and I can move it from my street attire to my track suit very quicky. I've also tried in while riding around on my dirt bike, gets a little warm for that but hitting trees while trail riding isn't fun either. I think it's a pretty good core body coverage piece. It might be a little lacking in the back protector coverage compared to some of the higher end models but it covers everything to just above the tailbone while crouched. http://www.alpinestars.com/Track_Protection_Vest/pd/c/170/np/170/p/650848.html
I've been wearing the Knox Gilet Air Vest since last August which has the integrated Contour back & chest protector. Hardly know its there.
I've bought a forcefield race lite protector after my crash last year, it started me thinking... I'll try it out for the first time this weekend.
I upgraded to the A* bionic chest pads in my suit. I don't even feel them. Better protection than the foam pads that were in there, but not quite the protection these other chest protectors have.
body armor I wear a modified version of this: http://www.highvelocitygear.com/juggernaut.htm since my leathers have good protection, IMO, in the shoulders and arms, I removed the sleeves from the "shirt", yielding only back and chest armor, but still in a zip-up meshed form. I've been down wearing them several times. no problems. w/o the sleeves, it's an easy fit under already well-fitting leathers. BONUS: they honor their 1/2 price guarantee: my 1st gen shirt lost a few seams and I bitched and they sent me a current gen model for 1/2 price. AND they let me keep the first one. gripes: little to no rib protection on the sides, smallish chest protector. a review here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-armor/velocity-gear/juggernaut.htm