I have been shopping around to get a jacket. I live close to one of the biggest bike stores in the country ( Ironpony - atleast that's what I was told ). But I have not seen the type of jackets that have the big hump (not sure what it is called) on the back near the neck area as well (like the one racers wear)
Any info on that type of jacket for street use? Brand model name?
The hump is called a "speed hump". It's not a particular brand of jacket, as many different brands carry them. They are common on 1 piece suits, but less common on two piece suits. I don't know if any one sells an individual jacket with a hump that isn't part of a 2 piece suit. My 1 piece suit--which I wear on the street--has a speed hump. My two piece does not.
Personally, I think they're not necessary for street riding (they're not even necessary for track) and I wouldn't go out of my way to find a jacket that had one unless I wanted it for bling.
That said, what does a hump do? It helps with helmet buffeting at high speed. You're on an unfaired bike, so a speed hump is a bit like making a hooker brush her teeth before you have unprotected sex with her (don't ask). The speed hump also adds some protection. Twice now, I've had the speed hump save me from more damage or loss -- once when a Buell tried to kill me and once when I decided that I'd rather be sliding down the straightaway on my back than riding my bike down it. With the latter crash, it kept my helmet off the ground which saved me lots of $. You can also put a camelback in your hump to make sure you're hydrated.
P.S. A back protector is a whole different thing. It's a must-have in my book.
Thanks Spidey for the info. That explains why I do not see any jackets with it then. I was under the assumption it saves your neck area.
I do wear my Icon back protector all the time and do not feel safer without it (ofcourse nothing is safe)
"...like making a hooker brush her teeth before you have unprotected sex with her..." [laugh]
I poked around a bit. There are some individual jackets with humps. Here are a coupla I found on newenough
Alpinestars Vector
Alpinestars SP-1
Alpinestarts RC-1
Re saving your neck area, there is some talk about a speed hump stopping your neck from hyperextending, kinda like the Leatt brace. I don't know if they actually work for that or not.
I have a Dainese jacket in perforated leather and it does have a smallish 'hump'.
It does seem to help the wind buffeting at speed, and it also seems to stop my helmet from look up to steeply, so it may assist in some neck hyperextension.
I just got the Dainese Santa Monica, with a speed hump. I think it looks great, feels good. Going to ride with it this this weekend.
I believe that most auto or bike trend seems to trickle down from the Race track, motoGP, F1, but NASCAR?
well except the 24' rims with lambo doors ???
i have the dainese delmar... it has the speedhump and neckprotector... It does help with buffeting on the highway but otherwise its just bling... i suppose it could also protect your upper back/neck area in addition to the integrated neck protection that the jacket has.
it could defintely protect your spine if you went down in that area, but in the end, its for keeping your head stable at high speeds. you could also cut the leather add a zipper and use it as a bladder.... im still looking for someone who can sew leather to do that for my Kobe suit.
I recently bought the Dainese Delmar jacket. Some things I didn't think of then and why I wouldn't by it again:
- the hump isn't really compatible with a backpack
- My old wave back protector doesn't really fit. Too wide to fit easily in the pocket, end too long so it overlaps with the neck 'protector'. The newer Dainese back protectors (air wave) don't fit either according to the shop.
as far as the backpack, get a moto-specific pack and that problem goes away. A few people on here love their Kreiga packs. I use mine all the time.
Quote from: IdZer0 on July 09, 2009, 11:40:57 AM
- My old wave back protector doesn't really fit. Too wide to fit easily in the pocket, end too long so it overlaps with the neck 'protector'. The newer Dainese back protectors (air wave) don't fit either according to the shop.
I have one of these backprotectors (from Helimot), made for suits with speed humps. I covers your tailbone, so I don't think it would work with just a jacket, but would work fine with jacket and pants.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3124461826_08f9132b98.jpg?v=0)
Quote from: IdZer0 on July 09, 2009, 11:40:57 AM
I recently bought the Dainese Delmar jacket. Some things I didn't think of then and why I wouldn't by it again:
- the hump isn't really compatible with a backpack
- My old wave back protector doesn't really fit. Too wide to fit easily in the pocket, end too long so it overlaps with the neck 'protector'. The newer Dainese back protectors (air wave) don't fit either according to the shop.
The Wave G2 will fit into your DelMar without any problems. It is, in fact, a tight squeaze to get it inserted, but if it just slid right in without being a tight fit, it wouldn't do much for you in the advent of a get-off. Simply work one side in a little at a time, and the back protector will slide in without trouble.
I've never once heard of the Wave interfering with the neck support, and does not on mine or anyone else's in the shop, but if you are having an issue, simply remove the neck support. It is not intended for impact protection like your back protector is, it is simply there for support against wind blast and helmet buffeting. The back protector should most definitely take proirity.
As for the Air Shield not fitting the DelMar, that particular model of back protector only fits a handfull of the 2009 jackets.
Quote from: Dainesedan on July 14, 2009, 03:01:06 PM
The Wave G2 will fit into your DelMar without any problems. It is, in fact, a tight squeaze to get it inserted, but if it just slid right in without being a tight fit, it wouldn't do much for you in the advent of a get-off. Simply work one side in a little at a time, and the back protector will slide in without trouble.
<SNIP>
You do your company a great service proving the information that you do. Thanks for the informed info!
Quote from: yotogi on July 15, 2009, 06:41:56 AM
You do your company a great service proving the information that you do. Thanks for the informed info!
Well, thank you, Sir! I do what I can. Unfortunately, there is a LOT of misinformation regarding gear of all types floating around the interschnitzel.
It was also my understanding that the Hump was for aerodynamics.
When in a racing tuck, the air will flow better with a Hump up against your Helmet.
Dolph :)
I have a buddy who has a Fieldsheer two piece with a speed hump (anyone else remember the Alf episode with speed humps in the hallway??). I have no idea what model it is, but it survived a pretty good lowside at the track last month. A couple other local guys swear by the fieldsheer too. I don't know that it would comparet to an A* or Dainese heads up, but some leather's better than no leather.
Quote from: He Man on July 09, 2009, 09:46:48 AM
it could defintely protect your spine if you went down in that area, but in the end, its for keeping your head stable at high speeds. you could also cut the leather add a zipper and use it as a bladder.... im still looking for someone who can sew leather to do that for my Kobe suit.
Try a Shoe Repairman.
Dolph :)
my 2 cents on that speed hump, race hump, camel hump, my last wreck im sure the hump helped keep my neck from doing what its not supposed to, but i must throw out that i have a mild bruise on my back from said hump. I can say with great certainty that had that hump not been there my results would have been far worst. Speaking of humps had i stayed home and humped i would have avoided the wreck completely. ( gonna have to show this post to the wife try to guilt her into my next hump ) :P
Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 15, 2009, 05:23:49 PM
It was also my understanding that the Hump was for aerodynamics.
When in a racing tuck, the air will flow better with a Hump up against your Helmet.
Dolph :)
+1. the hump creates a smoother transition from your helmet to your lower back, hence less air turbulent behind your helmet. Less turburlent and smoother air flow = less drag. I doubt it would make that big of a difference for street riding or at our speed at the track. It's mostly for looks, IMO.