Neck braces - to strap or not to strap?
After many years of riding I finally bought a neck brace last year. The brace comes with straps that are described as 'optional' in the user manual. It was still winter when I got mine and I found that once adjusted, the brace was a nice snug fit, didn't move around and was actually quite comfortable, contrary to what many people had told me.
Mine is a Leatt GPX which I believe is a more modern design and is more comfortable and less restrictive than the older ones?
Anyway, now it's summer and I'm riding with my summer jacket with the liner removed and the fit of the brace is not so snug. In fact the other day as I was leaving the office, I bent over to switch off my router and the brace slid up towards my head. That's when I though about the straps.
I've seen many people riding with neck braces, but only one guy using the straps. So I decided to investigate further and attached the straps to see how it would feel and if I could actually fasten them once I was all kitted up.
I'm happy to report that the straps actually work very well to keep the brace in place and I feel much more comfortable knowing that should the unthinkable happen, my brace will be correctly positioned in that event. As long as you orient them correctly they are quite easy to fasten and unfasten with a jacket on.
As I said above, I've only ever seen one guy using the straps, so what's the general take on these things? Analysing carefully it seems like what I was doing before was a bit like riding with a helmet on but the strap unfastened, which as we all know is a definite no-no.
I could possibly adjust the brace to compensate for the thinner jacket, but when the seasons start changing and I'm wearing the liner in the mornings and riding home vented in the afternoons, I would need to adjust it twice a day. The strap makes far more sense.
I have an old brace and there is no way for it to get out of position even with no straps.
I gave up using the straps long ago. It takes me long enough to kit up without yet another thing to worry about.
However, I now have a Leatt jacket with a cowl designed for the old brace. So the jacket fits over the brace and holds it in place and protects it from the elements etc. The jacket is very well designed, and considerably lighter than the GS Rallye Pro.
What Jacket you wear with the brace also makes a difference. With my Rallye jacket it never moves and I almost forget that I have it on, but with my Airflow Jacket, it is all over the place and moves around alot.
In Summer I'm using a BMW Airshell jacket with the liner removed. Quite a difference in bulk with and without the liner. This jacket does have quite a 'slippery' material as the outer shell.
In winter I ride with a Macna touring jacket, with all the liners in and the material is more grippy, but also the bulk up at the top means there is less space for the brace to move once my helmet's on.
I suppose the acid test is move your head around with your helmet and the brace and if it restricts your movement near the end of your normal range, it's okay (I've tested that) and the brace is correctly fitted.
I doubt I will be able to even reach, let alone fasten the straps when I'm wearing my winter jacket. A bit like the Oros man, LOL!
Hi there
I always use the straps, I was also one of the first persons to use the brace! Still today I use the original and I am on my 3rd set of covers and believe it or not I need new ones! My brace must be 11 years old and still no problem. Saved me from grave injuries in 2008 and I never ride without it, also 3rd set of straps.
It takes a bit of fumbling to get them fitted properly but I use them on my Rally jacket, my body armour and summer outfit. You get use to it and when I ride and lets say I forgot them I quickly notice!
| © BMW Motorrad Club Cape 2006 - 2020 | Back to live site | Site built and hosted by HoneyBadger.net |
