Triumphrat

Sal Paradise · 09-22-2008, 10:43 AM

I have a bright red fieldsheer monza jacket with CE armor. Does anyone know if this jacket and armor really offer any substantial protection? Other than the visibility of the color. Or are we fooling ourselves with this plastic fantastic?

Anyone have any real info? I would switch to heavy leather if I thought that was better. Of course I have boots and gloves and FF helmet. I am considering buying the fieldsheer pants with armor.

ervdrvr1 · 09-22-2008, 12:15 PM

Safety and riding gear can get a little sticky(kind of like an oil thread-everyone has their own preference/opinion). To the best of my knowledge, other than helmets, the US has no official standards for motorcycle safety gear, only recomendations for what you should wear at a minimum. The "CE" designation for armour means that it meats the minnimum EU requirements for impact absorption only. Leather will be better at absorbing abrasions than cloth. The advanteges of synthetics over leather for riding apparell(ballistic nylon, cordura) are weight, comfort, water proofing, and care. While not as good as leather for abrasion resistance, still much better than street clothes or nothing. It really will come down to personall preferance as to leather or cloth. The CE impact protectors are just a plus, and you can get them with both. Ideally, you would want to find something that fits well, is comfortable, and adaptable to as many conditions as possible(heat, cold, rain) with at least CE protectors in the shoulders, elbows, and knees(hips and back would be a +). As for Fieldsheer, I've never personaly owned anything from them, but they've been around for a very long time, so I would say thay are probably of high quality material and craftsmanship. Go to www.webbikeworld.com, they have a lot of reviews of gear that can get you headed in the right direction.

Most of all, get the best you can afford and WEAR IT!!

The opinion of an ATGATT.

Erv
Deep in the Heart of Texas!!

HoyaXC07 · 09-23-2008, 08:24 AM

I have CE Armor in my Joe Rocket Jacket. I had a spill at about 25 mph, the shoulder took the brunt of the fall. My jacket got scraped up but my shoulder was fine. I wish I had some better pants though because I got a NASTY bruise on my hip.

Diego · 09-23-2008, 12:33 PM

As Erv says, the CE designation on the armor is not a brand, but a regulatory standard. It's somewhat equivalent to the DOT designation on a helmet over here.

And just as the helmet makers all warn, no protective gear can guarantee to protect you in all circumstances. Its job is to improve your chances of coming out OK.

I've landed on my shoulder a couple of times over the years, once without armor in a leather jacket alone, and once with armor. Believe me, with is better!

Like Hoya, though, I do need better pants. I'm having trouble finding any proportioned for people with average waists but relatively short legs. One thing you don't want is a knee protector that has slipped below your kneecap just prior to a mishap. <Mentally insert an icon shivering with fright.>

Speed3 · 10-02-2008, 08:28 AM

CE armor is ok in a slide situation, but GP hard armor is better for impacts. I snapped my collarbone a few years ago with CE in my Vanson. I put the hard armor in before I got back on the bike.

SixtySpeedTwin · 12-23-2008, 07:42 AM

I have had the mis-fortune to test all types of armour, here's my results so you dont have to

Padding - useless = huge briuses + skinning & very sore joints.

CE multi density foam armour = did really well still a bit briused but no battered extremeties.

CE Hard shell armour = no briusuing to elbows, knees & shoulder, but... the elbow armour broke a couple of ribs on impact as i fell trapping it between the road and me. A very uncomfortable Christmas that year!

Interestingly because the hard armour doesnt spread the pressure at the conact point with the road the cordura jacket burnt through. The hard armour will spread the force better to you though.

My alpinestars jacket has the dual density foam as does most of the other jackets i have tried as it seems to be a trade off between function and comfort.

There are some new armour products due to be released by some leading brands which use a non-newtonian polymer. Its a clever material which is soft and maluable, but if you apply a force stiffens up - much like custard.

Cheers
Clive