I need to pick up a back protector for my first track day.  I thought this would be easy but there are quite a few to choose from.  I'm tall so fit might be an issue.  The requirement that I am looking at says "Back protector - Hard shell, sanctioned race org approved (i.e. Dianese, Knox,  Bohn, etc)" 
Any recommendations?  Thanks in advance. 

T-Pro or Helimot.  'nuff said.  I think Joe Rocket also sells a re-badged T-pro for less than T-Pro charges for it's Forcefield BP (edit:  its called the speedmaster).  Technically the T-Pro doesn't have a hard shell, but that's not what your track provider is getting at.  They just want to be sure you aren't using a cheap, in-jacket foam back protector that comes with the jacket. 

There are few other BPs other than the T-Pro that are Level 2 certified.  The Helimot BP isn't rated.  They don't submit them for testing because it's too costly.  But you'll find a bizillion racers who vouch for Helimot's armor and their BPs.

Quote from: XJDAVE on February 07, 2009, 07:20:13 PM
I need to pick up a back protector for my first track day.  I thought this would be easy but there are quite a few to choose from.  I'm tall so fit might be an issue.  The requirement that I am looking at says "Back protector - Hard shell, sanctioned race org approved (i.e. Dianese, Knox,  Bohn, etc)" 
Any recommendations?  Thanks in advance. 

Oooh. You're looking at Boston Moto, too? What dates were you looking at?

Quote from: Obsessed? on February 07, 2009, 07:44:42 PM
Oooh. You're looking at Boston Moto, too? What dates were you looking at?

Nope, Cornerspeed at VIR

DOH! 

spidey's the guy to listen to for track gear 

and I still say them leathers should be made into a throw rug w/a lid...

Dainese - Air full spine.

Crash tested.

Quote from: Vin on February 22, 2009, 06:59:45 PM
Crash tested.

so's spidey 

what was it? official DML crash tester?

as far as I'm concerned, he could be my gear bible 

 

I agree I have met the man the Legend!

I rode with the MOB a few years back - we cruised up i think the 1 and ended at the D store for a BBQ - actually bought the Air that day...

All I know is I high sided in France bounced of a guard rail and back into the swing arm of my bike doing 30 or 40 mph. Impact was enough that the whiplash broke my neck. My lower back was so lack and blue i look like i was worked over with a bat. That said, lower back had zero fractures (4 ribs, my leg and my wrist were also broken but not the lower back....)

I can say that if I hadn't been wearing a full spine I most likely wouldn't be walking today.

Like a helmet dont skimp on back protection - its $$$ but it works.

anyone have teh knox contour? that is promoted by sportbiketrackgear.com?

the only thing i see with teh tpro is that it doesn't have much in shoulderblade protection like the  knox model.

any first hand with the knox would be appreciated.  thanks.

Dainese Wave.

+1 

I have the Dainese Wave V and also a BMW Back Protector that has passed the EU Certification which is more rigorous than US CE.     

I'm  6' 5", 250 lbs. currently.    Dolph       

+1 on T-Pro

How does the Vanson back protector compare to the aforementioned?

Not as good (just my opinion).  Vanson has a thin foam and a hard turtle shell.  It transfers a lot more of the energy than something energy-absorbent like T-Pro.  That said, I've taken two (three?) big hits to the back in Vanson back protectors.  They work.  But both times involved a lot of physical therapy to deal with really sore back muscles afterward.  I wonder if I would have been less sore with a T-Pro.  I've since changed out my Vanson back protectors for T-Pro and/or Helimot.