Aerostich TF3 Competition Back Impact Armor

Installed in my one piece suit drove around for 100 miles in cool weather, quite comfortable on my back. Waiting for a warmer day here in Florida to see how it effects ventilation..

I have the large fitted in my R3. It of course offers great coverage and protection. I have not crash tested it or my R3, but I have previously crash tested an original Roadcrafter with a standard back protector at highway speeds. Based on that experience I am confident that the Competition armor will perform.

One thing to note is that the Competition model is much larger (larger than you would expect). I have found that at, ahem, extra-legal speeds with the R3 collar open the back protector catches air. Incoming air doesn't flow through the suit and out the back vent as well, causing noticeable drag. This may be a function of my posture and riding position on my CBR1100XX.

With the collar closed this isn't a problem and the airfow through the underarm vents doesn't seem to be an issue.

Subtle changes in my riding position alleviate the problem and it may not be an issue on other bikes.

6'4", 250lb human, 50L R3.

YMMV.

It's large and took a little getting used to but after 5k on my 690 and 13k on my 1290 in 2016 I would feel naked with out it!!

I've fannied about with trying to fit Knox back protectors to my Aerostich but decided to bite the bullet and I'm glad I did.
If you have an Aerostich suit and you value your ability to walk, then this back protector is a no brainer.
It fits perfectly is unobtrusive, and I do notice it when wearing the suit, but in a way that is positive and confidence inspiring.
I'm in the UK and it arrived within 4days.
If you've read this far and haven't decided it's a good idea, then I wish you luck riding without protecting your spine.

I was warned that the competition pad was very warm, but based on Dukasaki's review, I ordered it anyway.

While it is a wonderful product and beautifully made, I had to remove it from my 2 piece RoadCrafter Classic on an 80+ degree day because I was so hot, I thought I would pass out. Yes, I had all of the vents open.

I tell you though, I felt naked without it, but I will definitely be going back to the standard back pad that I have from my 10 year old suit, pending the purchase of a new back pad.

I LOVE my RoadCrafter - Best motorcycle suit I have ever owned in 40 years of riding. Remember, I loved it so much, that I bought a new one!

Thanks Aerostich!

Dave G
aka The Goochman

What a great investment for my RC- it feels very very secure!

I'm 6'-2", 180 lbs, 35" inseam, and have a one-piece Roadcrafter size 44L, in standard cut, without the lower back ellipse. I ordered the the Competition Back Pad in size large, and received it a month ago. I chose the Competition version for the extra protection it would offer.

Though I was concerned it might hinder my forward lean excessively, it increased that constraint only moderately. As with the TF3 knee, elbow, and shoulder armor, the Competition back pad is just a slab of blue foam (though a very particular, energy-absorbing blue foam) with a black, plastic outer layer, but my impression is that it's well suited for the everyday commuting I do.

In terms of thermal comfort, as I've only been using the pad for a month of spring weather riding (temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity), I can't speak for its performance in full summer heat. So far, however, it seems to have had little effect on the suit's ventilating effectively.

One minor fault might be that for my torso length, at least, it seems that the pad could be longer by an inch or two, better to cover the tailbone. (Aerostich might be able to do this most simply by extending the pad's tail by that amount.) In my case, in an attempt to get better coverage of the tailbone, I installed the pad an inch lower than it's designed to go. (I purposely misaligned the pad's hook-and-loop rectangles an inch downward from those sewn in the suit.) I believe my torso length is near average for someone of my height, though I'm not certain of this.

Other than this minor question of sizing, then, I'm happy with the purchase, and I think the Competition pad will serve me well.

Living in Scotland I expected delivery to take a week or two so you can imagine my surprise when I received this on Friday morning after ordering it on the Monday at gone 9.00pm in the same week! Back pad fitted easily to my all in one suit and also to my leather and also my cordura jackets. Fits like a glove with no interference. Very Impressed.