We’ve all heard the story about the new rider who, having just depleted his bank account on the sales floor, walks up to the man at the dealership parts counter and asks, “What’s the cheapest helmet that you have?” The parts man replies, “It depends what value you put on your head?”
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| The industry standard foam back pad that comes in most motorcycle gear (left) compared with Joe Rocket's Speedmaster back protector. |
So what value do you place on your spine? If you were prioritizing what parts of your body to protect in a motorcycle crash that neurological superhighway to your lower extremities would come in a close second after the brain. Skin grows back. Bones heal, but most damage to your neurological system is permanent and life altering.
Let’s face it, nothing feels as natural or comfortable as riding around in jeans and a t-shirt. Combined with the high price of quality riding gear and the inconvenience of zipping off and stashing an extra layer when we get where we’re going, we have plenty of reasons to James Dean it on our next motorcycle ride. But take a second to consider the helmet.
In the mid-seventies many states started to enact helmet laws. Without taking the can opener to the whole helmet issue, it’s common sense that if you fall off of a motorcycle having a little foam and plastic between the pavement and your cranium is better than nothing. But at the time, nearly all riders grumbled and complained about the new,
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The small/medium version of the Joe Rocket Speedmaster back protector provides ample coverage on a six-foot frame. |
expensive, awkward, stuffy and un-natural piece of equipment they were being forced to wear. Thirty-years later, helmet technology has come a long way and most riders wouldn’t think about turning the key on their bike without buckling on a lid.
Back protectors have been around since the seventies when world champ Barry Sheene fixed some used face shields in a clam shell shape and sold the idea to Italian leather makers Dainese. Quickly becoming standard equipment for racers, back protectors have long been the last priority for street riders. Until now.
Joe Rocket is a Canadian gear company with a history of introducing the riding public to innovative equipment at an affordable price. An example is their Speedmaster back protector. The Joe Rocket protector differs from the traditional Dainese-style hard clam shell design. Instead of plates it is composed from a waffle material.
Seem familiar? No wonder. Joe Rocket has gotten its TPro technology from the U.K. designer Forcefield. Unlike foam or hard plastic, the TPro technology has a “multi-strike” capacity. Most hard plastic back protectors are like helmets. One blow breaks them and compromises the structure. They’re one hit wonders. TPro technology is designed to withstand multiple impacts. The material is lightweight, flexible and breathable. It’s also less bulky and more comfortable than most back protectors you’ve probably tried.
The Speedmaster's honeycomb design is different than the hard plastic,
clam shell design that most back protectors use. It is lightweight,
comfortable and designed for multiple impacts.The Speedmaster comes in two sizes. The L/XL was too long for my six-foot frame, the top of the protector creeping out of my helmet and interfering with my helmet in the sportbike riding position. The S/M offered less coverage, but is less intrusive, especially for every day street riding.
“Wait a second,” you say, “My jacket has a back protector.” Take a look inside that liner. While the foam pads that come standard as spinal protection in most riding gear are better than nothing they still fall short of the protection provided by hard armor. It is CE (Certificate of European Conformity) Level 2 rated.
I recently decided, with the help of Joe Rocket, to start wearing a back protector every time I throw my leg over a motorcycle. The only problem was, short of time spent at the track, I could never remember to put it on before I walked out the door. When I finally found a solution by sitting the Speedmaster on top of my helmet, I started wearing it on a regular basis.
The behavior change of remembering to put it on is the only inconvenience of the Speedmaster back protector. In everyday usage the protector was so comfortable and unobtrusive that you forget that it is even there. I even slipped it under my jersey for two back-to-back days of dirt bike riding. The comfort level over two days of extremely physical riding was perfect.
The protector is held in place by two adjustable shoulder straps and a waist band that is secured with Velcro, so it goes on and comes off as quickly as a helmet. It’s contoured to fit the natural shape of the back. The protector did have a tendency to ride up, no big deal with the smaller size, but it kept the larger version from being comfortable for me. The low-on-the-waist band may also make the design uncomfortable for female riders. In the U.K. Forcefield makes a female specific version of their back protector that situates the waistband
The Speedmaster is held in place with two shoulder straps and a waist band that closes with Velcro.With the Speedmaster Joe Rocket takes away all of your excuses for not wearing a back protector by making a quality and affordable product. Will it mean a change of habit when you’re suiting up for a ride? Sure, but a little practice and you won’t feel right being in the saddle without it. How much is your spine worth? Just think of it as a helmet for your back.
