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Chest Protecters: Important or Un-important?
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Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

Well my Leatt came this weekend and on sunday I tried riding with it, But it doesn't work good with my CP, so I took off my CP and it was way more confortable without it, and I rode without it again today. But I was wondering if I should get a better one and wear it, or just go without one.

Posted by: squeaky---------------------

I had a near broken rib incident without my CP - and I'll never go without one now. If you ever hit something the wrong way and get thrown into your bars, or a tree, or anything of the sort and you're not wearing your CP, you'll regret it. It may not be the most comfortable thing to wear in the world, but it's one of the most important parts of your riding ensemble.

Posted by: FruDaddy---------------------

Go to the Leatt website, I am pretty sure that there are guidelines for modifying your CP to work. It shouldn't take much more than a little trimming.

EDIT: I can't find that information on the website, but the September issue of motocross action has an article about the brace and they explain how to modify the protector on page 62.

Posted by: Jeromeo---------------------

I love wearing mine. I look hardcore and it protects me. I have had countless times riding through the bush where a good sized stick comes out and me and pokes me right in the chest protector. If I hadn't been wearing it I could have had a few broken ribs or been impaled on the branch. So I consider them important yes.

Posted by: rmc_olderthandirt---------------------

I have taken a number of spills where I have been thrown (vs simply laying the bike down) and as I go tumbling across the rocks I can often feel the chest protector doing its job.

It has always been the spots without any protection that has suffered the most.

I won't ride without mine. If nothing else it protects me from the roost of my riding buddy.

Rod

Posted by: Moparman1539---------------------

When im in my yard or riding my KE100 i dont wear one... But any other time i would...

Posted by: flyingfuzzball---------------------

yea i always wear it when im acually riding.

if im going through a field to a friends house i dont bother. but then im probably also riding a mellow 150F.

track or trails most definately on. i have taken spills that hurt with it on and most definately would have resulted in broken shoulder or ribs without it.

Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

Well does anyone know a confortable under chest protecter that I could buy?

Posted by: MXGirl230---------------------

Both my husband and I wear our CPs and don't ride without them. We have the MSR Impact CPs and they work out great with our Leatts. We had to adjust them a little, but only by one or two notches on the adjuster for the backplate. The brace slips right into the shoulder cups and it all holds it well.

What kind of CP do you have?

Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

I have some kind of a Thor one but it's to big and I want one to go under my jersey.

Posted by: FruDaddy---------------------

Thor Sentinel might work for you, I don't know about compatibility with the leatt. With and under jersey, you will probably have to cut the jersey to fit over the brace.

Posted by: oldguy---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by 150rguy

I have some kind of a Thor one but it's to big and I want one to go under my jersey.

My son Spider went to an under protector for the past 2 seasons but this year when he got the Leatt he switched back to an outside protector. I feel much safer with him this way and he says he also feels better.

Posted by: Bodge---------------------

I realized how important mine was when I cased a large double and my chest landed on the bar clamps. The clamps left a nice 1/4" deep inprint in the chest protector. All it did to me was knock the wind out of me, but w/o the chest protector i would have been in bad shape.

Posted by: SpeedyManiac---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodge

I realized how important mine was when I cased a large double and my chest landed on the bar clamps. The clamps left a nice 1/4" deep inprint in the chest protector. All it did to me was knock the wind out of me, but w/o the chest protector i would have been in bad shape.

You might also want to get a bar pad...

Posted by: adam728---------------------

Chest protectors are very important.

Back in highschool I cracked one on a jump gone horribly wrong. I landed on top of the bike on my back and the footpeg punched into the chest protector. I was pretty much ok, and it could have been ugly without it.

A few months ago I broke another chest protector in a stupid accident not 50 feet from the parking lot. Went to jump down small hill with a 3 ft vertical at the top (so I couldn't just roll down it). At the last second a little kid on a quad came by and did a U-turn, coming right in front of my line. I stopped, but went about 6" to far and dropped the front tire, resulting in an endo down a 8-10 ft tall hill, with the bike squishing me at the bottom. Again, I hate to think what would have happened with no chest protector (broke the front plate almost completly in half).

Now I ride with an Alpinestar pressure suit. It's hot, the spine plate pushes my tool pack down, but I feel very safe in it, and now my elbow guards don't slide down and become wrist guards since they are built in.

Posted by: dirtbike_freak---------------------

how about something like this 150rguy?

http://gfx.motosport.com/motographi...07protector.jpg

Posted by: JD_MXRacer---------------------

if you want the issue of motocross action with the like 5 to 6 pages on making the leatt fit perfect i have it. i could mail it to you

Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_MXRacer

if you want the issue of motocross action with the like 5 to 6 pages on making the leatt fit perfect i have it. i could mail it to you

That's ok. I think I'll just get that EVO CP.

Posted by: rod g---------------------

Well as a medic of motorsports medical services, I can tell you that THE ONLY moto-X patient I have treated with broken ribs Did not have a C/P on he did have 4 broken ribs a collapsed lung lost his spleen and lacerated his liver. Some of our riders sya they break clavicles I think a good trade. Are they needed in my book no more or less than a helmet. Not sure of makes but a lot of our riders have under shirt C/P's / rock guards I would also look into "hats off" they help after a crash and don't cost much. Hope this helps

Posted by: jayden122---------------------

I personally think they're very important, i had a crash 2 weeks ago, i overshot a 50ft tabletop and slid along the ground on my back, my helmet got cracked and i would've broken vertabrae if i didnt have it, but instead just on my lower back i have fluid build up where i ripped my soft tissue off my muscle, but atleast i dont have broken vertabrae and a badly damaged spine!

Posted by: sparkysakitas---------------------

ill chime in on this one if it wasnt for my chest protector i would more than likely be dead instead sitting here at my computer
10 broken ribs some in 2 places, bruised lung, lacerated liver
spent 2 weeks in induced coma because i could not breathe on my own and just about ripped my chin off my face
i hit a tree in 3rd gear after getting out of line in whoop section in the woods

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Nothing as severe as a few of the above, but one of my riding buddy's would have broken his shoulder or collarbone for sure had he not been wearing his when he hit a tree. Clearly they're a great thing and you are already working to find one that works with your Leatt brace, so good for you.

Posted by: jayden122---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkysakitas

ill chime in on this one if it wasnt for my chest protector i would more than likely be dead instead sitting here at my computer
10 broken ribs some in 2 places, bruised lung, lacerated liver
spent 2 weeks in induced coma because i could not breathe on my own and just about ripped my chin off my face
i hit a tree in 3rd gear after getting out of line in whoop section in the woods

geez man, i thought my crash was bad, how are you now ? are you able to ride again ?

Posted by: sparkysakitas---------------------

yeah i am healing up well
and yes ill ride again

Posted by: Rooster---------------------

Never throw a leg over without proper cover. The devices we have available are pretty cheap inusrance against injury. Take a little time and work with your gear, you should be able to make it all come together. I can see where the Leatt would tend to be a problem with the chest protection. I ride with the EVS RC3 and a Thor C/P. Works well, but not as much protection as the Leatt. All I want is a little protection ... without feeling like Forest Gump ...

Posted by: HubertGarfunkleIII---------------------

what do you guys think of the under jersey cp vs the regular cp. arent the ones that go under your jersey considered roost guards?

Posted by: sparkysakitas---------------------

i htink it depends on what brand you are looking at.
i am looking at the thor impact rig se as my next protector
i like the intergrated arm, elbow, kidney belt features
here is link
http://www.mxsouth.com/thor/thor-mo...-suits-2007.htm

Posted by: HubertGarfunkleIII---------------------

yeah thats exactly waht i was thinking of getting, and also wearing a regular cp over that. plus a leatt, that is if i could afford all this great stuff. or do you think wearing a regular cp over that is too much, do you think that would work witha a leatt?

Posted by: newblue---------------------

I'm glad I saw this thread.

Before reading this I had no intentions of getting a CP.

What combinations work good? If you stay with the same brand for CP and neck protection it will fill better I'm guessing???

Are any of the brands out there more recommended than others?

Posted by: Papakeith---------------------

after a nasty getoff this past weekend I have a new respect for my chest protector. I have no doubt that it saved me from a separated shoulder (minimum). I still managed to bust up a rib or two, and I'm all kinds of sore; but the shoulder pad portion of the CP saved me reconstructive surgery. Now I'm starting to look at neck protection too. This crash was too close to bad.

Posted by: Rooster---------------------

Trust me folks, watching Papakeith get in my truck after that crash (took about forever) he was hurtin for certain. There was a gouge in the trail where his CP shoulder pad hit the earth. He's lucky he's not in the hospital right now (the ground was pretty close to frozen). The bike is fine though

I'm really glad I got the EVS donut neck device, I haven't had any "bad" get off situations, but when I have hit the ground, I've found that it really does keep my neck from bending in ways I DON'T want it to. It also helps on those low hanging branch situations where you hit it with the helmet and it sends your head in a direction you would rather not have it go.

Once again, safety devices are cheap, compared to doctors and hospital bills.

Enjoy your day, PILK, hope you are feeling better!

SILR

Posted by: RM_guy---------------------

HRP makes a chest protector that is compatible with a Leatt Brace. They make great stuff and are very comfortable. I don't wear the brace but my CP from them is very nice.

Here's a link to the HRP CP:
http://www.hrpsports.com/MOTOCROSSO...39/Default.aspx

Posted by: jcarautos1---------------------

A friend of my sons wrecked into a tree and had a branch litteraly sticking out of his cp in the chest area. Didn't but put a minor cut on his chest. No cp and he would probably be dead now.

Posted by: sparkysakitas---------------------

dam heal up fast pk

Posted by: jeeves---------------------

i had a crash while racing in June last year, got ugly over a jump and went over the bars, landing head/right shoulder first into a hard pack track. At the time i was wearing an under jearsy EVS pressure suit. The result of the crash- dislocated right shoulder and 3 fractures around the joint. Man i am still paying for that crash. I have got most of the movement and strength back but still have a long way to go.
I feel that the pressure suit offered next to no shoulder protection at all and have now been looking at the over jersey style, some seem to offer much more protection in the shoulder area and give good chest and back protection too.
Ultimately the choice is yours, something is better than nothing.

Posted by: tn_tuxedo---------------------

Plastic is cheap. Plastic surgery is not. Chew on it awhile. Your decision should be easy.
I got tossed over the bars at Rocky Run in Va. back in '95. My buddy told me he saw my engine drain plug as I did my "flying W". A spastic and desperate mid-air body twist saved me from being killed or paralized. The impact broke my collarbone and I slid about 20' down the road(fist sized rocks half buried in hard packed clay). I was road rashed from shoulders to waist, armpit to armpit, and pert near ripped off a nipple.
Needless to say, that was the last time I rode without a chest protector.

Posted by: tony91---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM_guy

HRP makes a chest protector that is compatible with a Leatt Brace. They make great stuff and are very comfortable. I don't wear the brace but my CP from them is very nice.

Here's a link to the HRP CP:
http://www.hrpsports.com/MOTOCROSSO...39/Default.aspx

Just got one of these…so far so good. It definitely fits the Leatt brace better than my Fox Air Frame. Although a bit of trimming would have helped a lot. The HRP is relatively light and seems well built. You can also get a rib shield kit ($30). Every time I’ve wadded it up, my CP has certainly been beneficial. The HRP does have much smaller shoulder pads than the Fox. Something to consider….

Posted by: BBking25---------------------

Okay, how is something like this:
http://www.btosports.com/p/THR08QUADP

going to compare to a Thor Sentinel:
http://www.btosports.com/p/THR08SENT

Posted by: ignition retard---------------------

I got my fox CP to fit the leatt. Just adjusted it to the biggest size, and tried to fit em together. Was difficult at first but now that I know how its not so bad. They fit together perfect, not sure if I have the airframe or the r3 though.

Posted by: rickyd---------------------

I have a FOX Roost cp, It works great w/my Leatt.

FWIW, I jumped a blind jump on Saturday and landed right next to my buddy. My front tire hit the back of his left leg then I got pile driven into the ground. I slammed my head pretty hard and have a sore shoulder, I'm very thankful I was not wearing my under jersey roost guard.

Posted by: gstaten24---------------------

CPs are VITAL!!! my friend and i were riding in the dunes last year when i guy cut him off. he had only been riding like 3 years so he panicked and grabbed the front brake as well as the back. he also turned a little bit. he hit a clodof sand and flipped it. the bike landed on top of him on his back. he ended up with two fractured vertebrae and i pinched nerve i think. he is fine now and we still ride about once a month. however the doctor said had he not been wearing a CP he would of either been paralized or he even could have died. the moral of the stroy...WEAR A CP

Posted by: Ol'89r---------------------

I keep an old JT chest protector around that saved my bacon one day just to show people how well they work.

I was riding a grand prix and coming on to the transision from the dirt section to the street section. I shut the throttle off just as my rear tire hit a big square edged hole. The resulting loading and unloading of the rear suspension, sent me several feet into the air over the bars.

I landed on the pavement on my head and back and slid about 30 to 40 feet on my back right up to the feet of a corner worker. I broke several bones in my foot from my boot slamming down on the pavement but, other than that, I was uninjured. I was able to get up and finish the race.

After the race, I looked at my chest protector and couldn't believe what I saw. The whole back of the CP had huge gouges in it. There were a couple of places where rocks had punctured the plastic. That would have been my back if I wasn't wearing a CP.

Now, I keep that CP handy just to show those that don't think CP's are important just how important they are.

Posted by: down_on_monday---------------------

I can't even recall how many times a CP helped me out. Trails/MX....I'm always wearing it.

Posted by: aaronnaland---------------------

Ive never owned one but i have used a buddies when we go to the track I really dont like them so i dont wear when i ride on trail.

Posted by: justalonewolf007---------------------

I would be far more inclined to wear one on a trail than even on a track. On a track...yes they'll save you from a few rocks in the bewbers (at least...in my case) or help out by spreading the impact, but tracks are predictable and usually clean.

Not sure about you, but I have seen some pretty horrifying pictures, videos, and heard some stories from individuals who have experienced a stick puncturing their torso. If you read this entire thread there are other very good examples of why you should always wear one. I hope that you change your mind. Picking up a used CP for 20 bucks is far cheaper than a 10,000 dollar surgical repair.

Posted by: inotocracy---------------------

Question is: why would you NOT wear one?

Posted by: gstaten24---------------------

i know exactly what you mean! they may be uncomfortable at times but they will save you when you need it most.

Posted by: 2strokesrock---------------------

The reason I don't wear one is because I can not afford it...yet

Posted by: inotocracy---------------------

Don't have $40 or $50 to spend? How do you afford riding at all? Anyone can scrounge up that kind of cash when it comes to their health. Imagine the medical bills and compare that to the cost of a chest protector. Solid investment.

Posted by: 2strokesrock---------------------

Quote by inotocracy
Don't have $40 or $50 to spend? How do you afford riding at all?

I do have the money..but I have to save it for some upcoming expenses, I don't know anyone who uses a CP where I live, so its not like I can get a second hand one cheap.
Besides I'm just a kid who wishes he had a job so I am on a limited income.

Posted by: gstaten24---------------------

you can buy a new one that might not be a big name but still works just the same for 40 or 50 bucks. just because nobody else uses them doesnt mean you shouldnt. dont be one of the people that come into this thread saying i wish i would have been wearing a chest protecter when i crashed.

Posted by: robsterzallan---------------------

how the hell are you asking a question like this? there VERY important! i was in the hospital for 5 days and almost died cuz i wasent wearing it!

Posted by: eagles22793---------------------

i have a fly racing chest protector and it feels and works great

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Chest Protecters: Important or Un-important?

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