Neck Braces - the future of road riding?

Graeme Sutherland wrote (see)

The Leatt brace can be used for road riders. It's just a case of tweaking it a bit first.

The Web Bike World review contains a few more details:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/leatt-brace/

BMW included their version in the photoshoot of the S1000RR...

Are they worth having?

The accident statistics that I've heard suggest that the chance of injuring a bodypart decreases as you move up the body. (The head is the exception to this rule.) So feet are really vulnerable, whereas the neck is rarely injured.

That said, the reports that I've heard suggest that they don't get in the way when riding, so I don't think that it'll hurt. I'm thinking about getting one.

Graeme Sutherland wrote (see)

The accident statistics that I've heard suggest that the chance of injuring a bodypart decreases as you move up the body. (The head is the exception to this rule.) So feet are really vulnerable, whereas the neck is rarely injured.

That said, the reports that I've heard suggest that they don't get in the way when riding, so I don't think that it'll hurt. I'm thinking about getting one.

Lower limb injuries are very common indeed. Having your lower limbs torn off is not uncommon in serious motorcycle incidents.  It is because your legs are easily crushed between one hard object (your bike) and whatever hard object you hit - typically the ground, another vehicle or a building.

I recall (but cannot find) an article that suggested scooter riders were suffering less of these debilitating injuries as their legs are not so easily trapped.  

Graeme Sutherland wrote (see)

That said, the reports that I've heard suggest that they don't get in the way when riding, so I don't think that it'll hurt. I'm thinking about getting one.

Why do you even think it is necessary? Have you damaged your neck often?

I suspect there is a MUCH greater risk that you will suffer from the effects of Risk Compensation - as you feel 'safer' (even though you are not) you are predisposed to take more risks and when you make a mistake you'll still hurt yourself.

"Go to any off-road event and 80% of the riders these days will be wearing neck braces. These items are possible life-savers, so why haven’t they been adopted by the road-riding fraternity?"

Why don’t we all become cunts and wrap ourselves in the safety cocoon of a large sedan. Might just as well if we are going to wear neck braces and air bag jackets along with all the items we already wear.  Fook, going for a pleasure ride these days requires about twenty minutes to get kitted up and out the door with boots, gloves, armoured trousers, armoured jacket, ear plugs, baklava, helmet.

k7 dave wrote (see)

At the end of the day its up to the individual, Yes its a good idea but all depends on the movement you have got to be very flexible.

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

k7 dave wrote (see)

At the end of the day its up to the individual, Yes its a good idea but all depends on the movement you have got to be very flexible.

Why is it 'a good idea'?

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

Why do you even think it is necessary? Have you damaged your neck often?

I suspect there is a MUCH greater risk that you will suffer from the effects of Risk Compensation - as you feel 'safer' (even though you are not) you are predisposed to take more risks and when you make a mistake you'll still hurt yourself.

Most people only get one chance to damage their neck.

I suspect that there is not MUCH greater risk that you will suffer the effects of Risk Compensation. 

iBurty wrote (see)

Most people only get one chance to damage their neck.

iBurty wrote (see)

I suspect that there is not MUCH greater risk that you will suffer the effects of Risk Compensation. 

Consider how people feel about (say) riding without gloves, wearing a t-shirt and trainers and an open-face helmet in the summer compared to wearing 'full leathers', boots, armoured gloves and a full face lid.

 Which rider do you think will be likely to be 'quicker'?   Push it into corners 'harder'?  brake later?  Go for the dodgy overtake?

 The point being - if you feel 'safer' you will tend to have a propensity to take more risk.  Choosing to add a pointless neck brace to the panoply of over-priced clothing for novice riders is no different. 

Of course the hard of thinking can't cope with this concept so will deny it exists, get kitted up and go and stuff themselves into a hedge - and find it still can hurt.

i wear one every time i get on my motocross bike and once you're riding you don't notice you're wearing it. you can fit stabilsing straps to hold the leatt in place,but i don't bother.

as yet i've not tried it at a track day,i've even made a slit in the race hump so it will take the leatt.

anything that helps keep you out of a wheelchair has got to be worth it.although i do think there are more neck injuries off road.

there has been talk that they have caused a few broken collarbones, but i know which bone i'd sooner break.

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

iBurty wrote (see)

Most people only get one chance to damage their neck.

How does that work Doctor?  What do you mean? You can damage it once then never again? 

I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean.  But damage your neck and you stand a very good chance to have a permanent serious disability.  That is if you survive at all.

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

iBurty wrote (see)

I suspect that there is not MUCH greater risk that you will suffer the effects of Risk Compensation. 

Consider how people feel about (say) riding without gloves, wearing a t-shirt and trainers and an open-face helmet in the summer compared to wearing 'full leathers', boots, armoured gloves and a full face lid.

 Which rider do you think will be likely to be 'quicker'?   Push it into corners 'harder'?  brake later?  Go for the dodgy overtake?

 The point being - if you feel 'safer' you will tend to have a propensity to take more risk.  Choosing to add a pointless neck brace to the panoply of over-priced clothing for novice riders is no different. 

Of course the hard of thinking can't cope with this concept so will deny it exists, get kitted up and go and stuff themselves into a hedge - and find it still can hurt.

I know exactly what risk compensation is.  I just refute the suggestion that wearing a neck brace will mean a MUCH greater chance that you will experience it.  Bearing in mind that assuming you have gone to this length, then there is every possibility that you already wear protective gear.  I can't imagine many people wearing a neck brace that are still riding in shorts and a T shirt. 

Anyway this is just an argument for argument's sake.   No-one is suggesting that anyone is forced to wear any protection, not in this case anyway.  If people want this stuff available and it works and is safe, then why not let them have it?

iBurty wrote (see)

I know exactly what risk compensation is. 

Uh-huh.

iBurty wrote (see)

If people want this stuff available and it works and is safe, then why not let them have it?

 I think you've just proved that you don't. 

fomula 1 have been using them , leatt did`nt just think  this may be a good way to make money, he spent more time trying to put motorcycle riders,being one himself, back on there bikes after herific accidents, as a medical surgene , they are a really a good , after seeing a rider being de-capitated you may think twice.

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

iBurty wrote (see)

I know exactly what risk compensation is. 

Uh-huh.

iBurty wrote (see)

If people want this stuff available and it works and is safe, then why not let them have it?

 I think you've just proved that you don't. 

Graeme Sutherland wrote (see)

 I'm thinking about getting one.

I have to wonder aloud if you are so concerned that you will die or be maimed while riding a motorcycle....why would you bother?

Best to tailor your riding to suit your comfort and enjoyment level rather than run about parcelled up with gadgets and shitting yourself with worry.

neesh wrote (see)

fomula 1 have been using them , leatt did`nt just think  this may be a good way to make money, he spent more time trying to put motorcycle riders,being one himself, back on there bikes after herific accidents, as a medical surgene , they are a really a good , after seeing a rider being de-capitated you may think twice.

Did you ever hear anyone say “That picture had better be banned, because I might look at it and it might be very damaging to me”

neesh wrote (see)

 after seeing a rider being de-capitated you may think twice.

I'd think twice if I when I see some paranoid idiot out on the road with one of these things. 

I do wonder exactly how much of a problem you think riders being decapitated really is? 

It's nearly none at all and there is no evidence that this silly contraption would do anything to stop it either.

Flo wrote (see)

Why so anti-, fellas?  No-one's forcing you to wear these things

Perhaps inadvertently,but you made nail and head contact just there.

I'm all for choice,do whatever you want,I do. But what if we are witnessing the thin end of the wedge? Today there is a suggestion that neck braces may be a good thing,tomorrow legislation comes into force to make wearing compulsory.

End of choice.

Flo wrote (see)

Why so anti-, fellas?  No-one's forcing you to wear these things, they'll add to your protection in a crash and the kind of person that buys one of these things is probably quite risk averse anyway. I won't be wearing one, I'm comfortable with the kit I've already got, but I can see the attraction. I wouldn't be hacking open my leathers to fit one, but then I can't see me wearing anything with a built in hump either, wavy .