[corey_rideDC]

looking to purchase some chest/shoulder protection to complement my roach arm/leg armor. mebbe it's my MX roots, but i'm leaning toward the 661 Defender Chest protector:

looks a lot more breathable and comfortable than my other option, the 661 assault pressure suit.

i'm more of a 'throw this on over a t-shirt' kinda guy. any feedback on either of these items?

 

[dfinn]

i like my pressure suit. i don't have anything else to compare it to since it's the only upper body protection i've ever had but it seems to ventilate ok and i've been really thankful I've had it on a couple of times so far. i have the one that has full length arms and it seems to give really good coverage of all the important spots.

 

[biggins]

the pressure suit is not as rigid as the defender. i use a moto chest protector, if its good enough for moto its good enough for me

 

[Ian F]

I own and have used both (although I wear Dainese).

MX armor isn't really designed for the same protection - it's a "roost protector" meant to deflect the roost from the bike in front of you. I doknow from experience, however, that the suspended shoulder pads work very well.

I wear the Dainese 90% of the time. The improved spinal protection far outweighs the other draw-backs in my mind. I've probably spent well over $1000 on armor (I have mulitple sets for different uses) over the past 6 years but I know for a fact I've saved far more in avoided hospital trips.

 

[MikeD]

Yeah, those roost guards really suck IMHO. They don't offer superior protection at all (again, IMO). Just get a good armor jacket, or the Casel-Equi armor if you want something a bit different with short sleeves.

I'd look at the Hoots shortsleeve jacket before the Assault pressure suit. Hoots stuff is a lot nicer than 661s recent offerings.

MD

 

[bizutch]

Yeah, those roost guards really suck IMHO. They don't offer superior protection at all (again, IMO). Just get a good armor jacket, or the Casel-Equi armor if you want something a bit different with short sleeves.

I'd look at the Hoots shortsleeve jacket before the Assault pressure suit. Hoots stuff is a lot nicer than 661s recent offerings.

MD

for the money, 661 is very nice. the mesh on it is a lot more open than any other option I've seen except the 04 Dainese I'd vote for one of the actual under the shirt jackets....you'd be surprised how many times you'll use the spine protector

 

[profro]

....you'd be surprised how many times you'll use the spine protector

You can say that again.

 

[jmvar]

Corey, don't skimp, go with full coverage upper body. It is worth it and more convenient because it is less stuff you have to carry around. Save the arm pads for Vans or street rides.

julio

 

[Lumpy_Gravy]

i love my dainese, its a rare thing in DH to make a purchase knowing you will never need to upgrade it.

 

[DHracer1067]

i have used the 661 defender and now i have that 661 sp1 thingy which is the full upper body protection. the arms arent as good as my roachs i dont think but the back and chest works alot better. and theres alot more protection on the back. id def go with whatever that thing is called over the defender.

 

[S.G.D]

like the others said:

roost guards = not for our uses.

~SGD

 

[punkassean]

Wait 'till you see what Rockgardn has in store for '05!

I concur that roosts are for roost not falling on rocks. If I coud pedal fast enough to throw a roost I'd be doing something else w/my time...