Neck brace testimonials?

[go cytocis]

I am a BIG believer in proper riding gear. I also snowboard and rock climb and I see no difference in having the right gear for these activities as having the right gear for motorcycling. 

One of the next big things in street gear is neck braces and I am considering getting one. They are not cheap however and because they have some potential implications for comfort & dexterity, I am looking for first-hand testimony from anyone who rides with a neck brace.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can chime-in!

 

[2hy2ride]

I kinda thought this was gonna b a thread about how torquey the buells r I'm sorta disappointed [confused]

 

[Zeroflat24]

Never considered a neck brace. I would think it would do more harm than good. Kinda hard to keep your head on a swivel when it's stuck in a neck brace.....

 

[icecoldcoasty]

i raced motocross and i saw alot of people with them on the track but i have yet to see someone with one on the street. i cant see where iit would be mor of an advantage othen not on the street. yes it will add safety in a crash but remember this those braces only stom compression injuries which means it will only help if you land directly on your head ( how ofted does that happen) or have you head snapped back ( think football collar) and those are very unlikely. as an emt most of the time when i see accidents its abraisions and broken legs and arms. if the speed is great enough and there is enough rolling of the person after they hit the pavement you will see twisting injuries and the brace does not help with that. T bone type accidnets are normally broken femurs because the bike hits the car and then as they fly off there legs hit the handle bars and break their legs along with their arms upon landing. so if i was you i wouldnt waste moey on a 350+$ leaitt neck brace that really isnt going to do much for you on the street. if your racing motocross i say go for it. just my 2 cents take it of leave it. keep it rubber side down

 

[AngryGnome]

Seems a bit overboard to me, but 20 years ago I never thought I would wear a helmet.

 

[go cytocis]

Thanks very much for the insightful feedback ice!

I was thinking along those same lines. In fact I can see where a neck brace could potentially be more of a liability on the street than a benefit.

My observations mirror yours that the majority of injuries I have seen colleagues receive on the street are either to the spine or head. Not so much the neck.

What I forgot to mention is that I also ride dual sport and I was thinking about the neck brace as much for off road as street. 

 

[go cytocis]

Agreed Angry.

neck braces are now pretty much standard issue on road course tracks and just like spine protectors, armor, & even helmets, I wonder how long before they show up on the street.

 

[MrFantastic22]

It's on you. Try it and see if it works for you. If it doesn't put it on Ebay. Someone will buy it.

 

[go cytocis]

Interesting feedback on the neckbrace, thanks! No question the 'type' of injuries tend to differ on & off road. I can also definitely see how the brace may unintentionally cause an extension injury by uplifting on the helmet.

I asked a doctor his opinion of neck braces. He points out that the neck is the especially weak but critical link in the 'head to tail' assembly, and that it's made even relatively weaker when a rider puts on a helmet and spine protector.  In this regard he thought a neck brace would be a good thing.  On the other hand, he did say that he sees far more head & back injuries than neck injuries arising from motorcycle accidents.

Perhaps I'll see if I can find an off-season sale on a decent neck brace and give it a tentative try.  It sounds like there are several gear manufacturers currently arguing over patents so once that's settles there might be a better selection of designs on the market(?). 

In the meantime, if anybody knows of any scientific study into the effectiveness of braces, I'd be interested...

 

[GAXB9R]