(I'm new here, so hello everyone)

I want to protect my back as much as possible. So I purchased an Alpinestars rc back protector, the pad in my alpinestars sunt jacket is almost of packing material quality.

I just received it today, installed it, tried on the jacket....it doesn't seem to offer any support??
If I bend forward it does offer support...If i bend backwards it kinda just floats in the jacket. I purchased the correct size (size m for a m jacket)

Anyone have any input on this thing? Does it really just protect in extreme conditions?

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4934/mailgooglecomfiltered.jpg

if i ever got an a* jacket and that was an upgrade option i would probably get it... better than the foam.

still, looks like a board to me. i guess any protection that it provided would be if you were sliding on your back. then it would take a while before the asphault ate through the jacket, that pad, and finally to your skin.

i don't think it is meant for support or anything like that.

edit: I checked again and it appears I have ordered the wrong size. Oopps :(

ah. i should have read your first post better.

edit: I checked again and it appears I have ordered the wrong size. Oopps :(

mind clarifying that for future users that may search this subject?

I guess if you read the description of the item it states "Use the size chart to find the size RC Back Protector you need fit your Alpinestars jacket"

I kinda figured the size of the protector is relative to the size of the jacket (medium protector for medium jacket, small protector for small jacket) but apparently it is not like that and you must match your jacket and its size, to the protector size.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/140/MNGR_POP/SIZE-CHART.ASPX

Kind of annoying that I'll be forking out $7 for shipping each way for an exchange, i may hold off now. :\

okay, so if I'm reading the chart correctly, you should have gotten a "large" back protector for your medium jacket?

Correct I need a large, I got free shipping in the receiving of the protector, so I'm just going to return it and buy from newenough.com (hoping their $12 allowance covers it, as it says it covers alpinestars on the homepage)

i have been considering this to fit in my JR jacket as the alpinestars is like $25 compared to the $75 jr one

My 0.02 is that if you're going to get protection (great idea), check into a full upper body protection setup. Your ribs are very fragile and very important to protect against lung punctures. I have a back protector in my race leathers and am now researching a full harness. I think its a good idea and they really aren't THAT much more than the back protectors.

http://www.newenough.com/armor/back_protector_worn_on_the_body/icon/field_armor_vest.html looks like a good deal. I will probably get the back protector and wait for the full chest/back protection. On my short (<9min) commute to work, it would be too much extra in my opinion. The time it takes me to get all my gear on, and then off again at work... and get the bike out... is as long as it takes for me to get to work :)

this is what I want.

CE

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=1032