Leatt Neck Brace

[Maverick]

My Adventure Leatt brace arrived today. My wife took some piccies tonight to give you an idea of the positioning. Apologies for the ugly model but that's the best I coudl do

First let me say that the restriction you expect from this brace is not at all as such. There is NO and I repeat NO restriction in sideways movement. It is important to understand what the purpose of this thing is and how it actually works.

According to the manual, the GPX is designed to prevent a whole range of injuries with names in medical terminology, which I have transcribed into English:

Hyperflexion, Hyperextension and Lateral Hyperflexion: Extreme forward, backward and sideways movements of the head.

Axial Loading: Compression of the spine. An extreme example is jet pilots ejecting from their planes and coming out a few centimeters shorter.

Posterior Hypertranslation: I’m no neurosurgeon but from what I gather this basically means having the head travel backwards at high speed to somewhere it’s not usually supposed. It plays a key part in whiplash injuries.

Front View with head in normal position, note the space between my chin and brace



Front view with my chin down as much as I can down on the brace, it is not a great distance and this is where you will understand the principal of this brace



Rear View of the brace with head in normal position



Rear View with my head fully tilted back, the movement is not that much but enough not to annoy you. I actually think you can become a bit lazy by resting your head on your back



You can adjust the rear stop into several degrees forward or back to suit
Sideways movement certainly no restiction and this is where I think most people's concern would be. I turned my head much more than I would normally do a life saver.





I also tried the brace with a buff and scarf and you can adjust to comfort. It actually does not sit tight and I can see no reason why this should not be 2nd nature by the end of tomorrow for me. It lies on top of your shoulders basically and they provide shorter and longer clips depending on the width of your chest and shoulders.

Bought mine at MX1 for £163 delivered and more than happy to meet up in the city (central London) should you want to view and try it on. Personally I think it is just that extra peace of mind but certainly a choice and decision you should make based on your own perceptions. Been riding for over 20 years, wish this was developed when I started as it certainly would of made differences in all the people I read, saw and heard off over the years breaking their necks in silly bike accidents ending up either dead or paralised.
Hope the above helps and take it easy out there

[Wee Jack]

Good report Maverick.

I'll be interested to hear how you get along with this as part of your daily routine. I have also been thinking that this would be a wise way to go (it must be and age thing !!!).

So it basically sits on top of your jacket , fasten up your jacket do up the neck and then put the brace on before your helmet ?? So it's only really one extra clip to do-up ?? does not sound too intrusive for something that could have a dramatic effect on the outcome of a minor off !!!

For years and years I have gone for armoured textile jackets and troosers , but recently have been thinking that it might be better to start using a pukka back protector instead of the one fitted into the jacket. With the optional chest protector and this brace , I could be a regular human torpedo

[Maverick]

Good report Maverick.

So it basically sits on top of your jacket , fasten up your jacket do up the neck and then put the brace on before your helmet ?? So it's only really one extra clip to do-up ?? does not sound too intrusive for something that could have a dramatic effect on the outcome of a minor off !!!

That is correct mate it is something you put on last before your helmet. I used it this morning for my commute into London. Obviously once in London filtering it takes alot of looking aboot and had no problems. To be honest 5 minutes down the road and I was hardly aware of the neck brace. The only problem I might have is with my rain jacket as you can only put so many layers of clothing under the brace before it becomes a problem. Might just change the rain suit for a poncho or something.

I will update this in a week or so and hopefully it will be positive.

As for the age thing yes agree, a few more bits and bobs to put on and would probably end up like this

[Maverick]

It's been 5 months commuting with the leatt brace and in all that time only two times I did not wear it. Once when taking my wife pillion, thought it a bit selfish to wear the brace and her on the back without one

And another short trip down the road where I decided to not put it on. Overall can't fault it and in no way interfere's with my daily routine or commute. I still get funny looks from fellow bikers pointing and laughing but hey it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

Lootch bought his about two weeks after mine and refuses to take it off as well. He is in South-Africa at the moment and took it along as he is doing a small bike trip out there lucky bugger

[Basil the Dog]

Jesus, that's one ugly model, even with the appology.

I tried a motorcross necknut but it was a bit bulky, this looks like a good alternative.

[steveR]

Interesting, I wondered about one of these but decided I would go for a Hit-Air vest as it offered more upper body protection, albeit not as good on the neck area as the brace.

I went for a vest as I thought it would be more versatile and I couild use a range of jackets underneath, but I have found it too heavy for Summer use, at least for me! Probably sell it on and possibly go for the brace as I like the idea of supporting the neck in normal use.

[Cookie]

Maverick,

oldie but goldie thread , just the information I´ve been looking for.; thanks for sharing your experience.

Here in Germany we had a young chap jumping on some kind of springs over a car in a well-known TV show some weeks ago, finally landing flat on the stage; he´s been paralysed now and everyone hopes he will finally recover.
Well, this incident got me thinking again about neck braces and I´ll try it out now. As my wife´s riding too and we have our boys (11 and 13 yrs) riding pillion for long round-trips (e.g. through Norway last summer) I´ll finally end up buying four of these things, so I´ll better try for myself first.
What´s the long-term experience in the meantime? Still wearing it and still being target of jokes?

Thanks, best regards
Chris

[jasonbc]

I've just got the Alpinestars Bionic Neckbrace for Christmas which looks very similar just got to work out which type of my armour it is primarily designed for use with and then fit it and have a trial run with it

[andyck325]

I have used a Leatt neck brace for the last three years for riding & racing in the desert. I heve never noticed the brace at all even when racing for 5 - 6 hours a day and would never ride without it.
A friend of mine had a "big off" and survived uninjured, but bruised. The brace cracked its rear strutt as his helmet struck it. I dread to think what he would have sustained without it.
All the top riders in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Marc Coma & co all wear the brace.

[ritosxf]

have you seen the graphics kits available to "pimp your neck brace "