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SAS TEC vs. regular CE protection
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June 25, 2010 at 9:05 am #4066PinkEaglesParticipant
Does anybody know anything about the new SAS TEC protectors that are around? I just got my motorcycle license and want to buy a bike, but would like to first invest in some good protection. I know Sas Tec is CE approved, but is it really much better than the other ProLife, etc brands of CE rated protection? Also, if I got a jacket/pants with regular CE padding would it be possible to replace them and upgrade to Sas Tec? While I’m on the subject, is there anything specific I should look for when picking out gloves? Sorry about all the questions, just another noobie trying to get into the sport. Thanks for your help, and any other information or suggestions that anyone wants to share about good brands, equipment, or just tips would be greatly appreciated!
June 25, 2010 at 1:46 pm #27190WeaponZeroParticipantSas-Tec is simply a brand of CE approved armor like Knox. They supply OEM armor to brands such as Scorpion EXO Wear and Draggin’ Jeans. As far as protection goes it’s about on part with everything else. Where Sas-Tec shines is that they specialize in making armor that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for protection. It’s not uncomfortably warm and it’s soft and flexible so it molds to your body and changes shape as it needs to while still keeping you protected. Really however there are other brands making similar products.
I recommend keeping the armor that came in the jacket as there’s no guarantee another brand/model of armor padding will fit into the pockets. What brand/model of jacket do you have?
June 25, 2010 at 2:45 pm #27195PinkEaglesParticipantI don’t have a jacket yet, I was looking for one with that same Sas-Tec technology because I’ve been reading about how it’s supposed to offer more protection. BMW has their NP protectors, which I think is the same thing. I’m thinking about their club 2 jacket, but I can’t really find any reviews and it the outer layer doesn’t seem too durable, have you heard anything about it?
June 25, 2010 at 3:05 pm #27196WeaponZeroParticipantAll Scorpion brand apparel uses Sas-Tec armor. The optional armor in all Draggin’ jeans is also Sas-Tec. Haven’t heard anything about that jacket but I know that I personally would still prefer GP-style protectors just for peace of mind. But Sas-Tec style armor is still great stuff that does the job.
June 25, 2010 at 3:08 pm #27197eonParticipantFirst thing to know about CE protection is that there are two levels (at least for motorcycle type protection). The basic level is #1 and the much better level is #2. If a product is claiming CE protection but does not specify the level then it will only be at level 1. Get level 2 if you can as there is a big difference between the two. From memory, level 2 states that a from a 50Kn force, no more than 9Kn will be transmitted through. Not sure about level 1.
Getting more information beyond the CE level is almost impossible but there are snippets out there. Browse the reviews in webbikeworld.com as they have a lot of info on various armor and links to other useful sites. I would examine closely the armor that comes with whatever gear you buy and replace it if it’s not up to scratch. Personally I think a lot of manufacturers cut corners when it comes to the quality of protection. You might be able to find threads where others have tried to replace armor in whatever jacket you buy so be sure to search around. I’m not familiar with Scorpion EXO brand but I think WZ has said they retail around $200 mark. I would be surprised (and impressed) if that had a level 2 back protector in it that retails for around $40. Be sure to check these things.
When it comes to back protectors, the current gold standard is the Forcefield Pro Sub 4. In the 50Kn test, this armor transmits somewhere around 3.6Kn. I believe the SAS-Tec Level 2 is around the 6Kn mark but I’m not 100% certain on that. I actually have both SAS-Tec and the Sub4 and I just recently purchased the SAS-Tec. My reason for buying a less protective armor was that I cannot zip my pants and jacket together when wearing the Sub4. It hangs low enough to protect the small of your back (good) but I know my jacket would ride up in a slide giving me nasty road rash (bad). It’s a balancing act here as I weigh up what gives me the best protection (cutting that bit of the bottom of the sub4 is an option )
Other thing to note is that unless you buy the same brand jacket/pants then it is unlikely they will zip together as nothing is standard. Pain in the ass but that’s just the way it is.
Don’t overlook your boots. A quality boot will protect your foot from rotational forces (both forward/backward and left/right) which could snap your ankle. A lot of boots marketed as motorcycle boots are just ‘sturdy’ boots as far as I can see.
Can’t help much with the gloves. Having a gauntlet is good, having kangeroo leather on the palm is good (kangeroo is thinner which gives you more feel). Most important is they do not come off easily.
June 25, 2010 at 3:16 pm #27198WeaponZeroParticipantFrom what I read, ONLY back protectors can be level 2.
June 25, 2010 at 3:23 pm #27199eonParticipantComparing the thickness of them you are probably right, though in theory I suppose there is nothing stopping the other parts being level 2. Would probably be too thick and bulky though with today’s materials. But it’s my spine I am paranoid about, that’s where I want the best protection I can get.
June 25, 2010 at 3:24 pm #27200WeaponZeroParticipantYour information about the forcefield 2 being the gold standard is outdated. The Knox Contour is the top dog back protector right now.
June 25, 2010 at 3:36 pm #27201eonParticipantThat BMW jacket is a nice looking jacket but like you I don’t know anything about it. General consensus when it comes to BMW gear is that there is a ’roundel tax’. It’s usually good gear but you pay more for it than you really should. The webbikeworld guys rave over the RevIT brand and I’ve been buying a lot of that and really like it. They seem to pay attention to the protective qualities of the gear which I like. Other brands to consider would be Aerostitch, Olympia and Motoport. That last one may give you the best protection around but it looks like shit IMO. I’m all for protection but it needs to pay some attention to style.
Whether any of these brands give you any more protection than the cheaper ones is a bit of a crap shoot.
June 25, 2010 at 3:58 pm #27202eonParticipantSources man, sources?
I know you value the opinion of the SportBikeTrackGear guys and they rate the Knox as the best, but watching their review I was not convinced. Dismissing the numbers and scientist tests seemed a little odd to me. Obviously each persons opinion will vary and I value theirs, but I’ve found the Sub4 to be very comfortable.This is an indepth review that is 2 years out of date now and has the previous version of the TPro and probably the Contour as well.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ride%20Magazine/Product%20test%20pdfs/6%20JUN08%20Back%20protector%20test.pdf
But I don’t have an updated version so this is all I have to go on. If you have links comparing the newer versions I would be very interested in seeing them.June 25, 2010 at 8:25 pm #27207WeaponZeroParticipantThe forcefield 2 is more of a spine guard than anything else. It doesn’t protect the whole back. Not enough coverage area IMO.
June 25, 2010 at 8:59 pm #27208Jeff in KentuckyParticipantI use the one that came with my Olympia jacket- it seems pretty good, along with an added wide weightlifting belt.
from the June 2010 issue of Motorcyclist magazine:
Ari Henning uses the Forcefield Sub 4 back protector ($190).
Aaron Frank uses the back protector that came with his Olympia GT Air jacket ($280).
Tim Carrithers uses the back protector that came with his Dianese Wave V 1-2-3 Neck jacket ($469).
Brian Catterson uses the back protector that came with his Icon Daytona Flat Track jacket ($470 to $500).
Joe Neric uses the back protector that came with his Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit ($797).
Kristi Martel uses the back protector that came with her Spidi Ladies Lizard Pro suit for racing ($1199).
June 26, 2010 at 4:20 am #27214PinkEaglesParticipantIs the armor technology that’s used in the Pro 4 the same as Sas-Tec?
June 26, 2010 at 6:32 am #27215eonParticipantNo. The SAS Tec is one solid piece of rubber looking type material. It’s kind if cool, you can press into it with your thumb but try and hit it and it is solid. Pro 4 is completely different, almost basic in comparison. It is 8 thin slices of foam type material encased in a basic plastic case. Looks very low tech but it obviously works. It is also quite a bit thicker than the sas-tech but is does have ventilation holes that go all the way through.
I wouldn’t sweat too much over which protector to get. All of the ones mentioned here will do a good job. I think its important to consider your overall protection (boots, pants etc). We all have limited funds and this stuff can get expensive.
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