Topic: Anyone ever used chest protectors while racing

[lordmoonpie]

I was wondering if anyone has ever road raced using a chest as well as a back protector and how they found the experience. I am contemplating getting one of the SPidi or forcefield chest protectors for a parade I'm lining up later in the year and wanted to understand what experiences of them are like and whether there are any negatives in terms of range of movement etc.

any thoughts appreciated...

[mixstup]

I use an IIcon protector under my leathers while racing.They are mandated in our club,I don't feel any difficulty moving around and It has definately saved my ribs on more than one occasion.

cheers

mick

[scunny]

times have changed. we were allowed to wear a good pair of jeans or 2 pairs of bad jeans to compete.
as I get older, my protective gear gets better.

[messeduptriple]

I've only used alpinestar backprotecters. My buddy has an Astars chest & back and says its the best ...he can't tell he even has it on. Spidi is really good though so I wouldn't say anything bad about them . If I were u I would ask on nesba.com forum where all the racers reside and see what they say as well. My A stars back protecter is super light and never had any problems. Some have an extended tail version which is also better...I suggest trying to find a race shop... Go in and try it on. It would be more beneficial if you had your leathers on. It will be a bit odd feeling at first when riding but eventually u won't feel it or even notice.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[simon#42]

bloody hell simon what sort of parade are you lining up !   full contact parading , its the new racing 

[lordmoonpie]

bloody hell simon what sort of parade are you lining up !   full contact parading , its the new racing

ha ha - not far off Simon! I'm trying to get the CR750 in the Manx GP parade. All going well so far and then I got a bit worried about it....I mean it is the Isle of Man TT circuit and I didi build the bike myself!!!!!!!!!! So, just thinking about a little extra insurance just in case my build quality isn't as good as I'd hoped.

It's funny - dream come true having a closed roads lap of the IOM but I'm scared s***less too

[simon#42]

thats great simon , i will be cheering you on !   try not to worry to much you will love it

[lordmoonpie]

thats great simon , i will be cheering you on !   try not to worry to much you will love it

You over for the Manx then Simon? Racing or helping or just holidaying?

[Sam Green Racing]

bloody hell simon what sort of parade are you lining up !   full contact parading , its the new racing

ha ha - not far off Simon! I'm trying to get the CR750 in the Manx GP parade. All going well so far and then I got a bit worried about it....I mean it is the Isle of Man TT circuit and I didi build the bike myself!!!!!!!!!! So, just thinking about a little extra insurance just in case my build quality isn't as good as I'd hoped.

It's funny - dream come true having a closed roads lap of the IOM but I'm scared s***less too

Stop being such a pussy and get on with it.

#42, is Keiths party still on ?

Sam.

[bwaller]

Sheesh, tough crowd lordmoonpie. Whatever you do don't wear an orange bib over it all. 

bloody hell simon what sort of parade are you lining up !   full contact parading , its the new racing

ha ha - not far off Simon! I'm trying to get the CR750 in the Manx GP parade. All going well so far and then I got a bit worried about it....I mean it is the Isle of Man TT circuit and I didi build the bike myself!!!!!!!!!! So, just thinking about a little extra insurance just in case my build quality isn't as good as I'd hoped.

It's funny - dream come true having a closed roads lap of the IOM but I'm scared s***less too

Stop being such a pussy and get on with it.

#42, is Keiths party still on ?

Sam.

[simon#42]

thats great simon , i will be cheering you on !   try not to worry to much you will love it

You over for the Manx then Simon? Racing or helping or just holidaying?

not sure yet simon i will see how things work out , i do tend to end up there one way or the other !

yes sam Keith's party is on , mark is stuck in new york so cant make it but i expect all the other old duffers will be there , you will fit in just fine !

[Sam Green Racing]

Cheaky MF.

[Darvill Racing]

Messer Moonpie is coming over here for the Parade Lap...
We are putting together a Peter Darvill Testimonal lap as part of the Parade and the Festival of Jurby.
Additionally we have entered a Newcommer in the 600 race so will be VERY involved this year.

Where are you staying???
When are you arriving???
If you need anything just shout, I will have the whole team here plus you can use our workshop if you need anything (PM me or mail me at alex@darvillracing.co.uk)

P.S. Rob (Voxonda) is also coming over, if there are any more coming over it might justify a BBQ or some other gathering...!

Ragards,
A

[Darvill Racing]

ohhh and to answer your original question, all of my riders wear Forcefield Armour including their Race-Lite Chest protector...
Its a really good bit of kit and doesn't inhibit you, well unless you've been overdoing it on the pre-race nibbles (i can testify to that unfortunately) making for a more 'snug' fit ;o)

Regards,
A

[lordmoonpie]

Hi Alex, good to hear from you :-)
Very kind of you to offer support if I get stuck - I should be largely OK if I can sort all the little niggles on the bike plus build my starter but there's always the possibility something will fail and I might need the manpower more than the tools as I can't lift heavy stuff any more thanks to my back injury. So, I may well take you up on your kind offer! Fantastic news that Rob is over too and Simon #42, it's not a bad gathering LOL

Is the Peter Darvill testimonial during or before/after the parade then? I saw the bike in the tent last year but couldn't find you with it. It'd be great to see it out on course...

Oh btw - I've ordered a Spidi jacket. The forcefield stuff looks extremely good but Spidi make a version for those of us who like the odd pie so I went with their extra large wide bellied version :-)

[Darvill Racing]

Hi Simon,
I don't think ive met Simon #42... well at least i cant recall ever meeting him.... (now i really hope i haven't ;o)
Sounds like a gathering in the making, are any other SOHC reprobates joining us?

We have a Dyna Systems Solo Starter (a real one from Doc Zimmerman in the States) so if you run out of time with your starter don't worry, and we will have a pitch up at the Grandstand (for the 600 plus vehicles) as well as the workshop in Castletown should you need any bench space.

As for the Testimonial we have been invited to join the Festival of Jurby on the Sunday after the Newcomers race (which is on the Saturday), they are going to give us space in a Marquee plus our own 'slot' in the programme with our own track session (bikes TBD).
We are following this on the VMCC Parade lap (with you) on the Friday after the Blue Ribband Senior Race, i am putting six Darvill bikes out there:
1964 Norton Manx 500 - Used by Pete throughout the sixties
1969 Honda CB750 - His 1971 SOHC World Endurance Championship winning machine)
1972 Spondon SOHC Endurance  - Used on the mountain circuit and in world endurance (Rob, this is the one from Zolder ;o)
1973 Kawasaki Z1000 - Pete was known for his affiliation with Honda, however he also owed some Kwaka's... This is in short circuit guise, but will be transformed back to endurance trim for the 2013 season
1975 Ducati 900SS Bevel - Production machine, just part of the stable
1975 Darvil Spondon Endurance - This is the latest machine we have been using, it has an early RSC long-stroke DOHC 750cc engine, this will probably be its last outing for a while as we refit the Kwacka and restore the Spondon Kawasaki for the 2013 classic endurance season

Sooooo
Should be a lot of fun really....

Looking forward to catching up and kicking the tyres

Regards,
A

[iomtt9]

Hi Alex and Simon , i am hoping to do the Manx GP Classic on my 500/ 4 and a 350/4 . I did the 1981 500cc Newcomers on the same bike i have now.
Would like to meet you all , thats if i havent bumped into you before.
Col

[Darvill Racing]

Hey Col,
Sounds like a plan, have you booked anything or made any arrangements yet...?

Feel free to contact me directly (if you want to), i moved to the 'Fair Isle' nearly five years ago now so will definitely be around ;o)

Regards,
Alex

[iomtt9]

Just looking into it, have been going there since 1978, passengerd 1980 81 82 TTs and my Daughter has lived there for 16 years.
My mate Wattie Brown said i have to do the Manx again ,so we will be in the paddock with him and probably Arthur Browning.Will keep in touch.

[Darvill Racing]

Sound Col,
Keep in touch and we can arrange a catch up nearer the time....!

So that's three of us from this forum, maybe we should get Sam to start another thread to see if we can entice a few more over... Get a SOHC IOM ManxGP supports club going?!?!?!?

Regards,
A

[lordmoonpie]

Sounds good guys - would be great to meet up! Always good to meet consumers of my stickers too Col and you've had a few in the past. Can't believe you konw Arthur Browning! Me and my mate Tony used to stand on the bank just opposite Kate's and cheer Arthur every lap he came around when he started back at the Manx a few years ago. Tony knew him from when they were younger and we could always see his eyes looking up probably thinking "who are those nutters jumping up and down every time I come round" LOL

[Jim F]

When you get behind me on my KTM 500 2 stroke its a good idea to have a chest protector on

and gloves and a full face helmet ..................

[Danno]

racing without proper armor is the difference between walking away and sometimes a lengthy hospital stay
 my armor is on a nylon jacket can be worn alone or under my leathers and is almost as cool as wearing a tshirt in the summer
 I stopped wearing my leather vest in the summer and started wearing my armor instead even on 90 degree days sure you look like robocop but the first time some idiot pushes your street bike off the road road and into the grass at 70 mph you will be glad you have it even on the street

[lordmoonpie]

I agree with you Danno - I'd rather sweat in the two days of summer we get than go out without my leathers on. I never race without full standard protection but I consider a chest protector is not exactly run of the mill kit and hence the question.

I've got a nice solution now that replaces my integral back protector in my race leathers with a combined long back and chest protector, from Spidi. It fits great and is comfortable so I'm looking forward to that extra protection. For those that have ridden in the Isle of Man or experienced it, even a travelling Marshall led parade there brings extraordinary risks (three crashes last year) because of the high prolonged speeds and the complexity of the course run on normal roads so I wanted to make sure I had the best available protection for a fairly unique risk situation - I kinda like my ass being in one piece! :-)

[Darvill Racing]

Simon,
Is it worth a pre visit to get a few laps in....?
Your more than welcome to borrow one of my bikes if this helps.....

Regards,
A