As i sit here writing this article, i can't help but think back (way back) to when i started racing motocross. Without just telling you how long ago that was, my first actual race bike still had 4 shocks. The advances in riding gear have come along way since leather pants and leather chest protectors, not to mention the open face helmets with the snap-on face protectors. And the boots were nothing more than leather hi-tops with buckles that worked great if you bumped the trailer hitch or had to walk though a mud puddle. They did absolutely nothing to prevent my three broken legs. That being said, we will start a series of articles covering protective riding gear and the benefits of wearing them.
The one thing that really gets me fired up! Is to see young riders not wearing a neck support brace of some kind . Broken bones, Sprains and Dislocations heal relatively fast and usually have only short term effects. Neck or Upper Spine injury can have life altering affects and in some cases cause death. Back to the getting fired up part! All to often i see parents bringing their little riders to a race in a nice rig, with the best quads their money can buy. They have all the latest mods done to make the quad faster and turn the little guy or gal loose on the track without the most important safety devise ever developed for our sport since the helmet.
Here are some reasons parents have given me why the don't make their children wear Neck Supports or Braces
They Cost Too Much... Wrong! For the little riders who very seldom leave the ground and never get over 10 to 15 miles per hour you can get a basic neck roll or support for about $30. For more advance young riders EVS makes the RC3 that you can get for under $50
 SIXSIXONE Neck Roll  EVS RC3
Little Jimmy Say's its Uncomfortable... BS! Make him wear it! He'll get used to it, and putting it on will become second nature. Think of the alternatives...
He can't see behind him... What!!! Somebody needs to tell little Jimmy that the race is taking place in front of him and if he focused on whats in front of him, he wouldn't be getting passed so much!
www.sixsixone.com www.evs-sport.com
Now let's look at some of the more advanced systems
 EVS RC-Evolution
This neck collar will provide the ultimate in neck protection. Its new orthopedic design has a customizable ergonomic fit that works with the rider to ensure comfort and maximum impact protection. This offers a more effective load transfer, and deals with filling the space between the helmet and shoulders more effectively than other devices. It also offers lower bulk and weight, and works great with any roost guard.
Collar:
- Modular collar for easy ergonomic fit
- TPR frontal closure
- Hook and loop connection for on-the-fly ttachment and detachment
- Adjustable height allows a customized fit
Chassis:
- Soft rubberized leading edges for added comfort
- Structural back and shoulder support
- Mesh covered vents to increase airflow
- Light weight design
- No buckles, bolts or screws involved
Strap Attachment (removable):
- Reinforced padded straps to keep the system secure
- Buckle-less sternum strap (hook and loop) for micro size adjustment
Liner:
- Soft hidden tether for optional chest protector attachment
- Reinforced padded straps to keep the system secure
- Buckle-less sternum strap (hook and loop) for micro size adjustment
Sizing:
- Small (50-100lbs)
- Medium (100-150lbs)
- Large (150-200lbs)
- XLarge (200 PLUS)
$175.00
www.evs-sports.com
 LEATT ADVenture
The Leatt® ADVentureTM is an injection molded glass reinforced nylon neck brace system designed by medical professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts to help prevent:
- Hyperflexion: extreme forward head movement
Hyperextension: extreme rearward head movement
- Lateral Hyperflexion: extreme sideways head movement
- Axial loading: compression of the spinal column due to the effect of force on the helmet
- Posterior hypertranslation: rearward movement of the head/helmet on the neck.
There is currently no other neck protection system available for motorcyclists that can effectively help prevent all of the above potential injuries. The design rationale behind the Leatt® ADVentureTM is to bring the head to a controlled stop. This is achieved by providing a padded rigid structure that acts as an alternate load path for neck forces. Helmet impacts otherwise transmitted from the helmet to skull and then to the neck are re-directed from the helmet to the brace to other body structures in a safe way.
The design of the Leatt® ADVentureTM prevents the helmet/head from projecting over the brace and therefore prevents a fulcrum action, which has been documented in literature pertaining to the use of collar devices. The Leatt® ADVentureTM works with most types of body armor and chest protectors.
$195.00
 LEATT Club
The Leatt-Brace(R) GPX Club is an injection produced glass reinforced nylon neck brace system designed by medical professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts to help prevent:
- Hyperflexion: extreme forward head movement
- Hyperextension: extreme rearward head movement
- Lateral Hyperflexion: extreme sideways head movement
- Axial loading: compression of the spinal column due to the effect of force on the helmet
- Posterior hypertranslation: rearward movement of the head/helmet on the neck.
There is currently no other neck protection system available for motorcyclists that can effectively help prevent all of the above potential injuries. The design rationale behind the Leatt-Brace(R) is to bring the head to a controlled stop. This is achieved by providing a padded rigid structure that acts as an alternate load path for neck forces. Helmet impacts otherwise transmitted from the helmet to skull and then to the neck are re-directed from the helmet to the brace to other body structures in a safe way.
The design of the Leatt-Brace(R) prevents the helmet/head from projecting over the brace and therefore prevents a fulcrum action, which has been documented in literature pertaining to the use of collar devices. The Leatt-Brace(R) GPX Club works with most types of body armor and chest protectors.
$395.00
 LEATT Sport
The Leatt-Brace(R) GPX Sport is an injection produced glass reinforced nylon, carbon fiber and Kevlar neck brace system designed by medical professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts to help prevent:
- Hyperflexion: extreme forward head movement
- Hyperextension: extreme rearward head movement
- Lateral Hyperflexion: extreme sideways head movement
- Axial loading: compression of the spinal column due to the effect of force on the helmet
- Posterior hypertranslation: rearward movement of the head/helmet on the neck.
There is currently no other neck protection system available for motorcyclists that can effectively help prevent all of the above potential injuries. The design rationale behind the Leatt-Brace(R) is to bring the head to a controlled stop. This is achieved by providing a padded rigid structure that acts as an alternate load path for neck forces. Helmet impacts otherwise transmitted from the helmet to skull and then to the neck are re-directed from the helmet to the brace to other body structures in a safe way.
The design of the Leatt-Brace(R) prevents the helmet/head from projecting over the brace and therefore prevents a fulcrum action, which has been documented in literature pertaining to the use of collar devices. The Leatt-Brace(R) MOTO GPX works with most types of body armor and chest protectors.
$595.00 | 
