 Leatt review
After too much procrastinating, partly because I hardly ride anymore, and partly because I hate anything that reminds me of my mortality, I ordered the Leatt brace at the last GMB. My persuasion came when my son Loukas, jumped on Char's 125. I expected him to putt around on it looking awkward, and too small, much as he had done during the Motoman Invitational during the blizzard of 2007. Well, much to my dismay, he fit the bike properly, both feet touching the ground without having to wear my custom made platform-soled Oxtars. Compounding my angst at the thought of my little boy on a big bike, was the fact that he ripped through the make-shift race track with total disregard to the squishes' screams, as the diminutive 1/8 liter's piston repeatedly slammed itself into the head. The crowning jewel, though was when he decided to play kamikaze and try to backwheel-slap Daniel in the helmet-all during a race that clearly wasnt a race. Anyways, I went to the Rider Down tent and placed an order.
Excited about my purchase, I hit FMX Paradise with a buddy yesterday wondering if this was the missing element that would help me conquer the monster thats been scaring me like the wussy that I am.
Stopping only for the mandatory union cigarette break, an hour later I had all of my braces, padding and gear put on. I slid the Leatt over my head and proceeded to fumble with the latching system for another 20 mins before I got lucky and it snapped into place. Too tired to ride at this point, I lay in the bed of the truck soaking in the rays of the sun.
As my energy level shot up to green, I put on my helmet and noticed the restriction that I had wished would be there. There was ample lateral movement for me to see whom would be passing me next, yet the vertical movement that made me look like a bobblehead doll was noticeably absent. This was nice-I no longer needed to use my own muscles to hold up my head. I have to admit, I felt no discomfort or overrestriction during my site lap, and in fact felt "safer". With my newly found confidence, I laid down a blistering lap before retiring to the truck for a much needed break. Removing the Leatt was a much simpler proposition.
By the end of the day I had become used to the feel of the brace and didnt even notice while riding. At one point I removed the belt that comes with it, a convoluted set of straps and buckles, meant to keep it from riding up. Feeling relief from the prseeure the size 28 belt put on my size 50 inch chest, I rode more comfortably noticing that the helmet was able to keep the brace down-for the most part. Towards the end of the day I did feel a sense of slight strangulation-actually more of the paranoid sense I get when someone has their hands by my throat. Im not sure if it was mental, if it was not having the "retention" belt in place, or the brace being set too tight front to back. Ill have to experiment with all 3 on my next ride.
For what its worth, the brace did give me a sense of security, and for whatever reason I was able to try and conquer the back rhythm section and a couple of doubles right out of right handed turns-which Im a doof with. I left the bad boy-huge single to triple table alone, since the wind was noticeable enough to feel, even on the smaller jumps...yea, thats it, the wind. Although I got better at it, the latching system is probably the weakest link. Perhaps even though I have an opposable thumb, Im just not coordinated enough to use it.
Noone should be allowed to purchase a pipe unless having purchased a Leatt first..IMO
Last edited by DRGSin393; 10-22-2007 at 10:15 AM.
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10-22-2007, 09:52 AM
If he had needed them, what would you have worn? 
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