If you were to travel back to a point in time as recent as the 1990s, the concept of riding a motorcycle on or off the pavement with more than a helmet, heavy jacket, and thick jeans would be an uncommon one. However, technology regarding protective riding gear and clothing items has come a long way recently – resulting in lighter, stronger materials and fabrics that can provide protection at levels not imagined just a few decades ago. We know, because we sell a lot of advanced protection in the form of armored jackets (with and without built-in inflatable airbag systems), armored pants, elbow/wrist protection, knee/ankle braces, kidney belts, reinforced boots, and much more to riders who understand the true safety value of these products.
In this article, we’ll examine a newer, very effective piece of motorcycle safety gear – protective neck braces. Invented and perfected after the turn of the millennium by South African doctor and motorcycle enthusiast Chris Leatt, these braces are designed to prevent fatal and debilitating injuries that occur when the neck overextends or suffers a direct hit. Neck braces accomplish this by keeping the head aligned properly as they deflect the brunt of a direct impact. In cases where impact energy levels are higher, they’re even designed to collapse a small bit.
We sell most of our neck braces to off-roaders, track racers, and other adventurers that engage in dual-sport riding on and off the road. These riders have typically mastered their bikes and, in doing so, have developed a keen appreciation for the fact that risk of injury is always present any time you’re on a motorcycle - whether it’s advanced stunts, uneven trails, other racers in close proximity, or regular street traffic you’re dealing with.
For these reasons, we say no rider should be without a neck brace. Without having ever tried one, many motorcyclists still dismiss neck braces as heavy, uncomfortable, and restrictive to movement. However, these arguments just aren’t true, because today’s neck braces have come a long way.
What a Neck Brace Does
Neck braces we offer are extremely light - typically weighing one pound or less. Many feature low-profile designs that are nothing like the kind of massive whiplash braces you imagine in lawsuit commercials. Head movement is virtually unencumbered by the brace, so you may even forget it’s there once you’re riding.
Lightweight padding on one or both sides of the brace prevents chafing and discomfort, plus it helps to effectively absorb and disburse impacts over a wider area.
In the event of an accident, neck braces protect the neck by restricting the movement of the head and deflecting any hard impacts off the collar bone and sternum, along with the aorta (main blood artery) located behind them. For reference, the sternum (breastbone) is a long, flat bone running vertically from the horizontal collarbone down the center of the chest area to form the front of the rib cage. The sternum, along with the collarbone, protects the lungs, major blood vessels, and the heart against outside injuries.
When directly impacted hard enough, the sternum can be crushed back against the spine. This usually results in quick death if the vital organs in between cease to function normally. Neck braces take energy that would normally affect the sternum, and transfer it across a wider range of areas on the body (such as shoulders and chest) which can handle the load better.
Neck braces also protect the neck by ensuring that the seven cervical neck bones which make up the top of the spinal column don’t become crushed or broken as the head is flung past its normal safe range of movement. This is when spinal nerve damage occurs, commonly resulting in degrees of paralysis or death.
Do Motorcycle Neck Braces Work?
The Great Lakes EMS Academy in Michigan recently analyzed over 9,000 motorcycle accidents that occurred between 2009-2018 to see how effective neck braces were at preventing life-altering or life-ending injuries. What the study showed is convincing.
Of all the accidents recorded in the study, there were 265 cases of critical cervical spine injuries. In 239 of them, the rider had no neck brace on. But among riders wearing neck braces, only 26 of them suffered similar cervical spine injuries. In statistical talk, this means critical injuries were 89% more likely to occur without a neck brace. In 5 of the cases where riders died from these injuries, only 1 of them was wearing a neck brace.
For non-critical cervical spine injuries, 811 cases were reported (87% of the riders were not wearing a neck brace, while 13% were). If you were to lump both non-critical and critical injuries together, you would find cervical spine injuries of any kind are 82% less likely when a neck brace is worn.
Studying the 734 collarbone fractures recorded in the study, the data indicates 3 out of 5 riders injured were not wearing a neck brace – statistically increasing the odds of this injury by 45%.
EMS statistics also documented that of the critical cervical spine injuries referenced above, 100% of the riders not wearing a neck brace required an ambulance and hospital stay. Of those smaller number of riders who did wear neck braces but still suffered cervical spine injuries, only 42% required an ambulance ride, and 73% required a hospital stay – the conclusive result being their injuries were not as severe.
Features of Motorcycle Neck Protectors
Having logged many miles on all kinds of motorcycles, we at MOTORCYCLEiD understand that a neck brace must be comfortable to wear, and it must not encumber the rider’s head movement. If a neck brace fails in either of these categories, it actually makes riding more tiresome and difficult – compromising rider safety to a large degree.
1. Adjustable Struts
For a comfortable and proper fit, most neck braces feature adjustable flaps in the rear and/or front of the brace which allow you to tailor exactly how the whole assembly sits on your body. Some braces may have a number of fixed positions and angle settings, or they may be infinitely adjustable via a rotating handle.
Youth-sized neck braces are often equipped with “axle” shafts which allow the diameter of the brace (and therefore, its center opening) to be widened as children grow and require more room inside the brace.
2. Quick-Release Lock Mechanism
Motorcycle neck guards are equipped with a quick-release button which allows part of the front section to release and slide open on hinges. Not only does the quick-release function make it easier to slide the brace on or off, it doubles as a safety feature should a fast escape from the brace become advantageous.
3. Removable Liner
Some neck braces feature an outer liner that’s designed to be removed and washed. Like, for example, the outer shell of the EVS Sports R3 Adult Race Collar.
4. Chest Protector Compatibility
Some neck guards may also include special tabs which let you attach the neck brace to any chest protector you may also be wearing.
5. Body Strap
While a neck brace is designed to sit properly without moving around too much when correctly sized, the included underarm strapping will secure it in place for comfort and peace of mind.
Sizing
Sizing for each neck brace is typically based on chest circumference, which is the distance around the chest measured just under the arms. Since sizes between manufacturers will vary, we’ve made every effort to include manufacturer-supplied reference charts for guidance. Look for a “Size Chart” tab that will be visible once you enter the Product Options selection area.
Our Top Picks for Motorcycle Neck Protectors
Best Choice: Leatt GPX 3.5 Neck Brace
Leatt is a pioneering company in motorcycle neck braces and a reputable name in the world of motocross. The GPX 3.5 represents the entry point to the brand’s lineup of braces. It offers the protective capabilities Leatt is known for, which are implemented in other products. However, this model features a simpler design with minimal adjustability and hence a more affordable price. At just 1.1 lb, it’s also barely noticeable when you’re riding with it on.
- Independently tested and proven to reduce critical cervical spine injuries by up to 89 percent;
- Collarbone cutout prevents the impact of the helmet on your most fragile bones therefore reducing the occurrence of collarbone fracture in a crash;
- Semi-rigid chassis utilizes a reinforced polyamide core, the construction seen in many high-performance helmets;
- Lightweight EPS base;
- Rear platform redistributes impact forces to prevent or reduce neck injury and does not restrict movement;
- Thoracic strut snaps off if excessive pressure is applied for safety;
- Additional mounting holes out back provide 2-way adjustability for the rear strut;
- Split front and rear design ensures a comfortable fit;
- Padding enables ventilation and doesn’t soak up moisture;
- Push-button opening;
- Integrates with a chest strap;
- CE tested & certified
Premium Pick: Alpinestars BNS Tech-2 Neck Support
The Bionic Neck Support (BNS) Tech-2 by Alpinestars ticks all of the right boxes in terms of comfort: it is ultra-lightweight, easy to lock and unlock, and conforms well to the rider’s body. The SAS (Size Adapter System) is essentially a set of adjustment pieces included in the package that help create a personalized fit, an important factor when it comes to ensuring maximum protection. The frame is made out of carbon polymer composites. Its shape does not restrict head movement, and the structure is designed to dissipate shock forces from the helmet to the upper body rather than the neck and spine.
- Strong and lightweight carbon polymer construction
- Rear platform is wide enough to provide a shock-absorbing base for different helmet sizes in the event of a crash
- Raised front design helps prevent hyperflexion
- Rear strut breaks away under a strong impact to protect the rider’s spine
- Size adapters enable a custom fit
- Quick-release opening and closing system
- Interchangeable EVA foam pads for customized fitment and compatibility with body armor
- CE certified
Best Value: EVS Sports R2 Race Collar
For a budget-friendly option that still offers effective protection, consider the EVS Sports R2 Race Collar. This is the company’s most basic design that comes without roost guard connecting flaps and is non-adjustable. This neck protector has dense, sturdy foam construction that absorbs blows and helps prevent hyperflexion and hyperextension in an accident, thus reducing the likelihood of severe cervical spine injury.
- High-density PU foam core
- Low profile
- Nylon liner can be removed for washing
- Buckle closure
Motorcycle Neck Braces for Street Riding
Many neck brace models are suitable for activities other than motocross, supercross, and dirt bike riding. They are just as great at protecting your neck whether you are moutntain biking, snowmibiling, or riding your motorcycle on a paved road – as far as you wear a full-face helmet.
Technically, all motorcycle neck guards are designed to limit head movement under extreme forces that occur in a crash, and transmit impact energy to the torso. But additionally, road-oriented neck braces have features that make them more comfortable to wear during street riding.
Case in point, the Leatt STX Road Neck Brace is designed to be worn over your riding gear.
- The front portion allows easy access to the upper part of a zipper on a motorcycle jacket;
- This brace has a lower, thinner profile than its track-specific counterparts to better conform to a variety of street riding positions and allow you to easily look over your shoulder;
- Out back, the adjustable "scapula wings" are spaced further apart to accommodate a back pad, armor, or speed hump.
Dirt Bike Neck Braces for Youth
If you're getting children started on dirt bikes very young, we recommend the Atlas Brace Broll Brace and the Alpinestars Sequence Neck Support – both of which offer quality support for the smallest riders. For slightly older and larger children, the Atlas Brace Tyke Brace has adjustable width settings so the brace can grow as your child does. And for pre-teens/early teens, check out the Atlas Brace adjustable Prodigy Brace and Air Brace.
In closing, we’ll reiterate that while neck braces can’t protect you against injuries 100% of the time, they can prevent or significantly lessen damage to the cervical spine and collarbone areas in an overwhelming majority of crashes. As always, we believe an educated rider is a safe one – so we encourage you to read our related articles, including those explaining what choices you have in motorcycle riding gear or guiding you through the different types of motorcycle helmets. Call us with any questions regarding products in this or other sections – we’ve got knowledgeable specialists here seven days a week!