Back + Chest Protection (Bionic Vest)

n_aditya · May 3rd, 2011, 09:29 AM

Hi all,

I have a cordura (textile) riding jacket with shoulder, elbow and back armor.

The back armor is a thin foam pad though

So i was hunting for back protectors and thought why not get this:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...c-SP-Vest.aspx

It fits well within my budget and i will be wearing my riding jacket over this vest.

Does anyone have any reviews / comments / feedback to share before i buy?

All help will be most appreciated

thanks in advance for the replies.

JeffM · May 3rd, 2011, 10:20 PM

I tried on the version with the attached shoulder armor and it seems like a good piece of gear. Anyway, it is way better then the foam back protector that came with your jacket and having rib protection is a bonus.

Jeff

SSR · May 5th, 2011, 07:08 PM

Looks good. buy it and put up a review!

I do have the those same chest protectors in my Alpinestars jacket. Never had to test them out, so I can't really comment on that.

kaiserz · May 9th, 2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSR

Looks good. buy it and put up a review!

I do have the those same chest protectors in my Alpinestars jacket. Never had to test them out, so I can't really comment on that.

the chest guard is not CE rated right?

n_aditya · May 9th, 2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserz

the chest guard is not CE rated right?

Nope. Only the spine protection is CE rated.

@SSR, order will be placed in a couple of days. Will post up a review when i lay my hands on it.

Thanks everyone for the replies

rusninja · May 11th, 2011, 12:14 AM

i got the icon stryker i like the fit of it the bionic was the first back and chest protector i laid my eyes on XD i didnt like it much though :S

kaiserz · May 11th, 2011, 06:33 AM

That'll be awesome if you can make a review, cause I'm contemplating if i'm gonna get the icon stryker vest or the A* bionic SP vest.

rusninja · May 11th, 2011, 12:33 PM

well for the icon i dont have a motorcycle yet but when i got it i was so excited so i wore it for a hour x] i got s/m it was comfortable to me you can adjust it well my dad thought id need bigger but i adjusted it and it fit him so he shut up x] but im 145lbs and he is about 180 and has a bit of belly and it fit him.i wore the thing i sat in it had no problems its pretty light i like it the hard plastic over the foam feels solid like it should i like the chest protector position more then the bionic i like the design better too x] i got it from revzilla 110 flat seems well put together i have the pictures of it on my gear page S: i have no complains cept for i want my motorcycle XD

Boom King · May 11th, 2011, 07:53 PM

I never ride without it: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...chAutoComplete

kaiserz · May 12th, 2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom King

I never ride without it: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...chAutoComplete

you're really making it hard for me. . .

TenaciousD · May 18th, 2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserz

you're really making it hard for me. . .

That's what SHE said...

Seriously, though, I'm thinking of getting one of these things, too. I already upgraded the back pad in one of my jackets with the Alpinestars Bio Armor back protector it was a VERY well spent $30. I figure you can't have too much protection, despite what most people around here seem to believe, riding around in shorts and flip-flops. I look like a geek but I'm ok with that.

NathanUc · May 18th, 2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom King

I never ride without it: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...chAutoComplete

I was actually planning on buying this before my first track day in a couple of weeks. Only thing stopping me is I'm not sure how much use I'd be able to get out of it. Most my normal rides are only 10-15minutes to and from work/class. It's usually at least 70degrees around summer here and wearing my full leather jacket is already killing me at the stops.

How do you feel about it in terms of comfort in heat?

Boom King · May 18th, 2011, 09:57 PM

It's not that bad in terms of heat. There are perforations all over on the front, side and back plates to help air circulation. I haven't worn it in extreme heat yet but I wore it out on a ride in 17-18 degree celcius weather under a leather jacket and full gear and it was fine. It didn't feel any warmer than normal. I think it all depends on your jacket. If your jacket is too hot for the climate then you'll be hot regardless of what type of armour you're wearing underneath. The Alpinestars vest probably doesn't add much in terms of heat retention compared to the flimsy back foam pieces found in most jackets but offers much, much more protection. A reasonable trade-off in my mind. As long as your jacket lets in enough air flow, it should be fine.

The fit of the vest itself is great. It's fairly light and slim. I've gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it when I'm riding. I wear every time I ride no matter how short the distance.

n_aditya · April 5th, 2012, 02:22 AM

Apologies for the super late update.

Motorcycle superstore messed up my shipment and the order was lost in transit. Didn't see a point re-ordering it since my friend who was in the US on work (who was to pick it up and bring it down for me) was returning soon. Waste of a 10% off coupon too.

May 3rd, 2011, 09:29 AM	#1
n_aditya ninjette.org member Name: Aditya Location: Bangalore, India Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (for the weekend's) and the Suzuki Fiero for office commute. Posts: 80	Back + Chest Protection (Bionic Vest) Hi all, I have a cordura (textile) riding jacket with shoulder, elbow and back armor. The back armor is a thin foam pad though So i was hunting for back protectors and thought why not get this: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...c-SP-Vest.aspx It fits well within my budget and i will be wearing my riding jacket over this vest. Does anyone have any reviews / comments / feedback to share before i buy? All help will be most appreciated thanks in advance for the replies.

May 3rd, 2011, 10:20 PM	#2
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	I tried on the version with the attached shoulder armor and it seems like a good piece of gear. Anyway, it is way better then the foam back protector that came with your jacket and having rib protection is a bonus. Jeff __________________________________________________ "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer

May 5th, 2011, 07:08 PM	#3
SSR ninjette.org guru Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa, Ontario Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 398	Looks good. buy it and put up a review! I do have the those same chest protectors in my Alpinestars jacket. Never had to test them out, so I can't really comment on that. __________________________________________________ From here...to everywhere!

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May 11th, 2011, 12:14 AM	#6
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	i got the icon stryker i like the fit of it the bionic was the first back and chest protector i laid my eyes on XD i didnt like it much though :S

May 11th, 2011, 06:33 AM	#7
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	That'll be awesome if you can make a review, cause I'm contemplating if i'm gonna get the icon stryker vest or the A* bionic SP vest.

May 11th, 2011, 12:33 PM	#8
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	well for the icon i dont have a motorcycle yet but when i got it i was so excited so i wore it for a hour x] i got s/m it was comfortable to me you can adjust it well my dad thought id need bigger but i adjusted it and it fit him so he shut up x] but im 145lbs and he is about 180 and has a bit of belly and it fit him.i wore the thing i sat in it had no problems its pretty light i like it the hard plastic over the foam feels solid like it should i like the chest protector position more then the bionic i like the design better too x] i got it from revzilla 110 flat seems well put together i have the pictures of it on my gear page S: i have no complains cept for i want my motorcycle XD

May 11th, 2011, 07:53 PM	#9
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I never ride without it: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...chAutoComplete

May 18th, 2011, 09:57 PM	#13
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	It's not that bad in terms of heat. There are perforations all over on the front, side and back plates to help air circulation. I haven't worn it in extreme heat yet but I wore it out on a ride in 17-18 degree celcius weather under a leather jacket and full gear and it was fine. It didn't feel any warmer than normal. I think it all depends on your jacket. If your jacket is too hot for the climate then you'll be hot regardless of what type of armour you're wearing underneath. The Alpinestars vest probably doesn't add much in terms of heat retention compared to the flimsy back foam pieces found in most jackets but offers much, much more protection. A reasonable trade-off in my mind. As long as your jacket lets in enough air flow, it should be fine. The fit of the vest itself is great. It's fairly light and slim. I've gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it when I'm riding. I wear every time I ride no matter how short the distance.

April 5th, 2012, 02:22 AM	#14
n_aditya ninjette.org member Name: Aditya Location: Bangalore, India Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (for the weekend's) and the Suzuki Fiero for office commute. Posts: 80	Apologies for the super late update. Motorcycle superstore messed up my shipment and the order was lost in transit. Didn't see a point re-ordering it since my friend who was in the US on work (who was to pick it up and bring it down for me) was returning soon. Waste of a 10% off coupon too.