Roost deflector for overland use?
 

Hello,
I'm wonder is it good idea to wear roost deflector for an overland sahara journey.
Is it comfortable for long-time use?

I'm asking about it because i'm afraid of any injuries during the trip, and that kind of "armour" maybe really saving in case of off-road accidents.

Cheers

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Pawel Kanik
TT600R
Poland

What is a "roost deflector"?

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

This is some kind of protective gear. Ufo calls it "stone shield", acerbis - "roost deflector". I don't know the rightly name of this... thing. "Body armour" maybe. It's uses by motocross riders.

Cheers

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Pawel Kanik
TT600R
Poland

Comonly known as a chest protector.

I think this is used to protect the rider from stones/dirt thrown up by another rider in front - 'roost' is the spray of dirt from a MX/enduro bike's back wheel. I could be wrong tho.

There are several posts on this subject if you do a search.

I wouldn't wear UFO-type upper-body armour as you will look like a complete prat IMHO. Although you might not care what you look like (or even like this look), people you meet on the road may treat you differently because you look weird/intimidating. Better to blend in as much as you can? Also where are you going to store it when you get sick of wearing it or don't want to wear it?

I would wear good boots and maybe knee/elbow guards. However slow and steady is the way to go over rocky ground - we are not racers, are we?


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Barry
3AJ Tenere

http://www.vsportgroup.com/gearmoto/...Pressure04.jpg

Looks like Barry and I disagree a bit about this - I have one of these. (Although mine is a 2003 model, so it's not quite so jazzy).

The idea was to try and avoid a serious spinal injury or a broken bone in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes, it's impossible to avoid coming off, IMHO. Whenever I hit the ground I'm surprised by how hard it is. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

To reduce the "stormtrooper effect" I'm planning to wear a thin linen / cotton shirt over the top for the desert sections. I'm really impressed by how cool the thing is to wear - it's all mesh so there's loads of airflow.

Apart from making me look like Arnold Schwartzenegger, it's not too obtrusive.

Using this also means I can leave my armoured Cordura jacket at home, and just use a lightweight enduro jacket for when it's cold or wet. I've crashed a couple of times out on the trail in the UK wearing the armour, and it seems very good indeedy.

Obviously it's ultimately a personal decision. Don't take anything you don't think you'll wear.

My 2p.

Lewis
www.PM-04.com

I went for a knox 'cross' shirt. There are two versions, one with a one-piece chest protector and one with a two-piece protector that benefits from a zip up the front that is nice when walking around. They also do the 'pkx' shirt which uses soft armour on the shoulders and elbows but I was advised by knox that the cross shirt with hard armour is better for extended (read multiple crash) off road use.

Haven't tried it in v. hot weather yet but is mainly mesh so should be ok.

http://www.planet-knox.co.uk/Knox/index.asp

Cheers Andy.

Be careful of using any "mesh" on the asphalt that is polyester as opposed to nylon. In a slide on asphalt at even lowish MPH it melts to the skin http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif Not certain what idiot decide to use it on protective gear, very low melting point and low abrasion resistance.

Have a look at some softer body armour which is worn under your shirt so you'll look muscular and not like a prat.
I've used a light but tough Pro Grip protector for the last few years every ride in the desert. Highly recommended.
I could only find a link for the latest 2004 model which looks a bit futuristic, mine's a much more subtle black but it's been great.
The blurb is:

"High density thermoformed polyurethane foam

Can be worn under or over jersey

Full front and rear shock absorbing coverage

Lycra covered foam padding around neckline

Adjustable elastic waist strap

Removable shoulder and arm guards

Extra lightweight

Hard PVC reinforced

Can be used as front-only protector with included Y-strap"
Actually I removed my elbow pads and use a different brand but the chest piece is excellent.
Here's the link to the new improved silver version.

Stephano

[This message has been edited by Stephano (edited 18 May 2004).]

Barry said:
"However, slow and steady is the way to go over rocky ground - we are not racers, are we?"

Speak for yourself!

Seriously- i only wear a chest protector when I am serious about going fast and/or really likely to crash. I do not wear one for long distance, but do wear plastic off road knee and elbow pads and real MX boots. Looks a bit wierd to locals, but not THAT bad. As Barry said, chest protector is just too much, tho. And, as something of an expert on off road crashes, I think the chest protector is the least important piece of crash gear. just my 2 cents.




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Back on the road again.

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