Opinion:
It's been remarkable and encouraging to see how fast a new saftey device like the Leatt Brace has spread and gained acceptance. Fans love the Leatt Brace. They love to read about it. They want to see riders wearing one. It's a great story and no one really loses.
Having said that, Weekend Window remembers a week ago asking the team managers about this and how many had comments about other things, mainly chest protectors. The number of pro riders missing events or riding with injured chests this year is pretty high. People are getting bruised/collapsed lungs, broken/bruised ribs, and riding in pain for sometimes weeks.
Another item: Helmets!
One note from San Diego press day - Broc Hepler is still on medical hold due to a long concussion from before San Fran. He might miss Atlanta. Yamaha's Keith McCarty said they would know mid week. They are taking his concussion seriously and McCarty is talking up leaving it in the drs hands, don't push it, etc.
It's been 2 weeks and drs won't let go. That's quite a concussion and we wish him well.
Helmet design needs to be part of the Leatt/safety debate. It's way past time actually. To absorb impact (the purpose of the helmet - besides a billboard), we use a crushable foam setup designed in the 50s or 60s. There is little doubt that a little money and effort in the right direction would result in better concussion protection. No one sees that one it seems. Of course liability is high and risk is real when you tamper with long established designs - even bad ones. The lawyers scare away the innovators.
OK, it's hard to say if a "little" money will find a better answer, but there is one.
