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The Rock
1/22/2015 10:11am
1/22/2015 10:11am
Edited Date/Time
1/23/2015 6:40pm
Brayton is the latest victim but for sure is not the first and unfortunately not the last to get hurt at a SX.
I can't tell for sure if Justin Brayton was wearing something under his jersey or not. I can see maybe the outline of a chest protector but have no idea about back protection at the time of his crash. How long before it will become uncool to get hurt while only wearing a thin jersey?
MXA website photo credit
I can't tell for sure if Justin Brayton was wearing something under his jersey or not. I can see maybe the outline of a chest protector but have no idea about back protection at the time of his crash. How long before it will become uncool to get hurt while only wearing a thin jersey?
MXA website photo credit
The Shop
I bought a FOX protector and it sat really awkwardly on me. Almost like it was defected. Should have sent it back but never did. I might try to alter it since I plan on never using it again anyhow at this point.
I had one wreck where I came up about 10' short on a 100' double. Landed straight into the face of the jump. I was all kinds of sore because when I landed, my chest hit the handle bars. I have no doubt that my chest protector saved some ribs and maybe a lung in that one.
It's all subjective. You wear the gear that you feel will protect you in most wrecks.
Listen, no piece of flimsy plastic on your chest is going to stop arm/neck/back bones from breaking. And if you dont understand that, then I cant help you. Thats why theyre called "roost protectors".
Even the most padded, uncomfortable, plastic contraption wont save you from much more than cuts and scrapes. Also, I dont know if you noticed, but these guys move around a heck of a lot more than you would think on a bike, and might not be able to ride with a full body suit of plastic armor on. A bit different of a playing field than the vet 45+ beginner class at your local track
Says the guy with three posts. . . Who were you before this one?
Next question...
I dont really know what I was banned for though. Maybe GuyB doesnt like opinions that arent the same as his own?
The key word in the above title is some. I realize I wasn't at Namur when this happened but in one case my Thor shell wasn't much help when I augered in on the first lap of the Vet Junior Class in the fall of 91 (collarbone, 3 ribs, partially collapsed lung) at Ascot at Friday night MX so I fully understand they don't prevent all injuries.
On the other hand close to ten years later with a new model Thor shell I got run over by Mr, Info (it was 100% my fault to be clear) in the second turn at GH at the start of the first moto. In this instance I finished the moto and holeshot the next moto. This second moto ride not have happened if I had been wearing only a jersey. I was completely worked the next day when I flew to Dallas and for most of that week but I made my business trip and didn't miss any work.
Don't these professional racers particularly the ones that are being paid have a responsibility to protect themselves as much as possible in order for them to be able to do their jobs? Closer to my heart is preventing the preventable injuries from happening at local tracks all around the US or at least minimizing the impact. There was a video on FB this week and right after the start there was this double and the entire class of six or so riders got taken out. Poor track designs like the FB video lead to unnecessary mistakes that wind up getting people hurt. For what?
I keep trying to accept the comfort deal as a reason but more of the greats of the 80s and 90s wore upper body protection for sure than our current crop of stars do so I can't buy the comfort thing as a reason not to wear it. My position was reinforced after spending time in the pits at both GH and Hangtown last year talking to 3 digit riders who the vast majority were wearing upper body protection. These privateers are the proof that you get used to knee braces, wrist braces, everything over time and that some put function before fashion.
This thread is NOT picking on Justin Brayton who I have been a fan on since he won the last moto of the year on a KTM back before KTMs were the KTMs they are today. I think he might actually have a roost protector on and am just curious if he had any spinal protection. Those rubber pads that line many shells over the spinal area do a good job at absorbing the energy but the best for absorbing energy is air like the RXR models.
Also the privateers you talked to were most likely wearing it for roost protection
Theres just no way to say wearing a chest pro will prevent injuries, most of the "proof" is just someone saying "if i wasnt wearing it (dot dot dot)."
I think its funny how yall will preach like a flimsy piece of plastic on your chest will stop every injury from happening. Sure, its gonna stop cuts/scrapes/occasional broken ribs, but they cant stop "real" injuries from happening (broken arms, back, etc). Its just not physically possible (hence why pros dont wear them). It might disburse the energy some, but if a crash is hard enough to break bones, its surely gonna break some plastic.
And if youre gonna say they should wear them because some past gen motocrossers wore them, then maybe they should also wear open face helmets and pure leather boots.
Pit Row
The only way to prevent these injuries is to not ride.
How you can tell me how there is no way I can say what I did about racing the second moto but then go on to say why the privateers were probably wearing upper body protection for without being present for any of the discussions?
Man I am impressed with yall.
You are exactly right and is why I wouldn't wear a piece of flimsy plastic. I would wear
or
but by all means please keep wearing just a jersey. I am positive your jersey will afford the same protection as either the RXR or the Leatt after all, right? Especially after laying on your stomach and having over 400 pounds impact your back I'm sure your jersey will really soak up that energy.
The point isn't this type of equipment will prevent you from getting hurt in all cases but it will reduce the severity of the injury should one be sustained and in some cases yes it can prevent one. Footpeg to the chest or back wearing protection will definitely prevent a gash type injury.
As Chevy Chase said in Deal of the Century.....never underestimate the power of a demo.
When, or were the current mandatory safety gears made... Well mandatory...
Boots? Always? Gloves? Always? Goggles?
Your point is somewhat valid in that even with protective gear, you're not going to prevent some injuries. But you talk like chest protectors are simply to block roost. . . rather than prevent some of the preventable injuries. Which is wrong.
I guess what I'm saying is, common sense has mandated the safety gear I wear. I can give you plenty of examples of why I wear what I wear, but suffice it to say that its not for style's sake. As someone pointed out earlier, I have always subscribed to the adage, "dress for the crash, not the ride".
The "flimsy piece of plastic" argument is just as idiotic is saying that there's no way a bag filled with air could help protect you in a car crash.
Post a reply to: Are some chest and back injuries preventable?