South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hiya,

Am looking for a back protector as close to £50 as possible -would love a contour, but from the looks of what I can afford from sales or ebay, I'll have to go for a Ricochet or a stowaway. The stowaway doesn't immediately grab my trust because anything that has the 'can fold away' gimmick, I consider to possibly lose quality in actual protection.

The Ricochet, any thoughts on that one? Good or bad? Or what about any other that people would recommend?

Cheers!

worth their weight in gold matey. dont know where you'd get a good one for under £50 though. i paid around £100 for my spidi and it worked well at donington the other week, its got a nike air style pockets between the plastic spine and the backing. the knox ones are worth a look at but make sure what you get is CE approved and as you say the fixed ones are better than the fold up ones,if it folds what level of protection is it going to offer your back

I use the Oxford MAX back protector. I had a big crash 2 weeks after I bought it back in October which ended in me hitting the curb straight down my spine. The doctors were amazed that I did so little damage, and I really do believe that I would have broken my back without it as I hit the curb very hard indeed.

I would strongly recommend them to anyone, but as Deej has already said you may struggle to find a good one for £50. There are 2 levels of protection on offer: CE Level 1 and CE level 2, the Stowaway is level 1 I believe, and the Ricochet and MAX are level 2. I don't know what the level requirements are but you would have to assume/hope the level 2 offers somewhat better protection.

Hope this helps.

Check out Trago Mills. I saw the Oxford Max at the Liskeard shop for about £60.

I use a stowaway. I'm thankful to say that I've never tested it though. It is however very comfortable and light. I'd say not to worry about the 'foldable' thing affecting the level of protection. It's simply flexible between the panels of armour and so rolls up. It's certainly not flimsy or anything. It was damn useful to be able to roll it up at the BSB at Thruxton last weekend! My argument is that if it's a pain to carry about then I might think 'sod it' and not take it. Then it's no good at all hung up in a cupboard at home...

I used to have a Knox- never really got on with it. Found it far too bulky so hardly wore it.

Been looking at the Stowaway. Trouble is, I'm never in full leathers. I prefer wearing leather trousers and a textile jacket which makes find a suitable back protecter tricky.

thats why i like my spidi one, has a kidney belt and straps over the shoulder so fits under any bike clothing

I've got the ricochet and find it very comfy on the bike (perhaps a tad warm in summer), but i often leave it at home if i know ill be off the bike for any length of time. So in some respects i wish i had gone for the stowaway instead so i'de wear it more often. (got it for about £50 from hein gericke and i believe they also have a sale on at the moment?)

Hey, thanks for the help everyone...

...as it turns out I managed to get hold of a contour for £45. Very happy!