I saw the article on RacerX where chest protectors are mandatory now for the Futures class. Front and back coverage.
Is this going to be like how the phased helmets into professional cycling. If you don't remember what the did in cycling was they first made them mandatory but the riders were allowed to remove their helmets at the bottom of the final climb in hilly stages.
So does this mean that they will just expand mandatory chest protectors into the 250 class and then the 450 class so that eventually everyone in the 250/450 will have started wearing them while in Futures so they are used to them?
Are Futures riders considered professional athletes? (Legally, not by their parents or social media bio)
Well, I get it.
In the same month where we’ve got USA Today articles making our sport look like The Blood Sport of Sparta…we’ve also got new safety equipment requirements being implemented.
AMA D14 has made them mandatory for all mx races starting in 2026.
they, are not chest protectors and never have been really they are roost protectors, somewhat protecting chest but not enough
call em what they are a little tool in the big picture, rather have collor bone, rib and back protection but i guess not cool enough to wear
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Bring back kidney belts!
What do you wear for collarbone protection?
I guess I better check out the rule book. Hadn't heard that yet.
Good
No they are A and B Amateur riders
I don't think so. But not in tune with the amateur scene at all.
Europe EMX has mandatory chest and back protection for years and not roost protectors but real ones. Now also having new helmet mandatory (FRHPhe-02) where even last years helmets ECE 22. 06 are not allowed. Might be same thing now for MXGP also.
There is a difference between chest protectors and roost protectors. Roost protectors can be anything, chest protectors (and back) have a standard applied for them (ex EN 14021).
Those kids are all pretty scrawny, it'll look better for TV if they stuff pads under their shirts to look like muscular athletes. #GrowTheSport
Whats next? Neck braces?
Was just thinking about busting out my Oneal kidney belt….photos making me look like I got a beer belly…
35 and haven’t stopped wearing them! Kevco Stubbs for the win!
I feel naked without wearing one.
Spreading the load / energy dissipation. It's something a lot of people on here need to look at.
Pit Row
They never left![]()
I hope they specify that they must be at least CE level 1 also so they have some real impact protection. Honestly I would rather they have to be level 2. There is no reason not to anymore. Even a level 2 protector flows air just like a regular roost guard these days.
This timing is possibly related to the late Aidan Zing (rest his soul) more likely than the recent USA Today article.
All those kids should be wearing an RXR! That’s the only legit protection.
Agreed on the kidney belt. I have lower back probs and pay the price if I ride without one. And lots of countries have mandatory chest and back protection. It's not that bad! I remember a race where the dude literally walked down the line and made sure everyone had a chest pro with back protection, in the vet class!
where can RXR be purchased in the states?
I believe it is past due. AMA is too far behind on safety standards for the riders and should adapt a lot of the GP rules to get up to date.
Long live kidney belts. LOL
I don't think there is a distributor in the U.S., you have to order directly from them.
You can get the Alpinestar one through Rocky Mountain or Motosports.
My last kidney belt is probably in a box somewhere with the giant leather belt I used to wear to do squats lol
I genuinely can not figure out the argument against them.
If every single person has to wear one, there is no advantage or disadvantage.
Do you feel a bit more free without one? Yes. Will riders adapt to the new feeling in less than a full day of riding? Also yes.
A few years ago there was a post here where people were talking about "old" riding gear trends. One mentioned was kidney belts and most people said they weren't using them any more. I had been wearing one every time I ride for 30 years. So I decided to try without. I didn't miss it at all. Now it's been like 5 years since I used a kidney belt. Zero regrets. I haven't noticed any ill effects at all.
My chest protector saved me from getting a handlebar through my chest. This genuinely has to be one of the dumbest comments I’ve ever read on this website.
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