Fly Racing, Valor Neck Brace,by Leatt Product Test with Video
The new, second most important piece of safety equipment you can use.
It used to be that a good pair of riding boots was the second most important piece of safety equipment you could own next to your helmet. Advancements in riding gear technology have brought about a new piece of riding gear that has quickly become standard equipment for serious riders and racers–– the neck brace.
Since neck braces were hitting the market, Leatt has been a leader in design and development. Fly Racing recently teamed up with the leader in neck protection to develop the Fly Racing Valor Neck Brace making for a great combination of fashion and protection. With test rider, Rob Ray, gearing up to ride a couple of vintage motocross three-wheeler projects, we figured he would be a good candidate to try Fly Racing’s second generation Valor neck brace.
Technical Stuff
Comfort is the biggest concern with trying a new piece of equipment. The Valor allows for custom fitment thanks to its four-way adjustability. Four different size wedges allow you to adjust overall fit of the brace for your shoulders. The rear member height adjustment allows you to adjust how far back your head can angle. The rear thoracic brace, which runs down the inside of your upper shoulders and upper back, can be adjusted in two ways. First, it can be moved in or out for larger or smaller body types, plus it can be ambled from –5 to +15 degrees. If you don’t quite understand, you will when you get one. Rob had the Valor brace fitting well within minutes.
Many other features go into making the Valor neck brace comfortable and effective. Collarbone cutouts are designed to reduce pressure on your collarbones, something we heard riders complain about on earlier neck brace models. Side mounted, paramedical-designed hinges allow the brace to be removed without moving the rider in the event of a crash. The Valor neck brace is also CE certified as personal protective equipment.
When cleanup time comes, the clip-on padding can be easily removed. Replacement parts are available, in case you trash something, or wear it out.
The Test
What more can you ask for? Shortly after receiving a new neck brace, Rob crashes his brand new, restored ATC250R and takes one for us on his upper left shoulder and side of his head! After taking 10 minutes to get the Fly Valor neck brace fitted comfortably, Rob hit the track and had quickly forgotten about the new neck brace, as he focused on getting accustomed to dealing with his hard-hitting CT built motor.
Comfort with the neck brace wasn’t an issue as Rob sailed off the track’s largest tabletop for the fourth or fifth time. Losing his peg as he landed on the downside, momentum peeled Rob off the left side of the machine. Clinging to it, both he and the 250R had a less than perfect dive roll as Rob impacted the dirt floor and was punished a bit by his distraught machine.
With the impact focused on his shoulder and left side of his head, we are happy to report that Rob received no neck injury, soreness, or stiffness for that matter. There was some slight tenderness to his shoulder where the neck brace compressed into him, but there were no apparent signs of pressure on his collarbones.
While this isn’t a helmet test, it might be a good time to mention that we are also happy with the fitment and protectiveness of the Kinetic Block Out Helmet as well.
Conclusion
While $359.95 might seem like a lot of money, it’s way cheaper than medical bills, not to mention the price a broken neck can have on your quality of life. Fortunately, the importance of the neck brace’s job mandates that it is built well and should last for a few seasons.
Don’t be afraid of being uncomfortable if you have never worn one. Fitment is great and you may even find that you can relax a little more when you ride, knowing that you have the extra protection provided by the Fly Racing Valor Neck Brace.
Manufacturer: Fly Racing
Product: Valor Neck Brace
Price: $359.95
Fly Racing, Valor Neck Brace
Summary: Don’t be afraid of being uncomfortable if you have never worn one. Fitment is great and you may even find that you can relax a little more when you ride, knowing that you have the extra protection provided by the Fly Racing Valor Neck Brace.
4.5
6 Month Test
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