Do Motorcycle Neck Braces Work?

My younger brother saw an experienced rider wearing neck braces while doing off-riding. He asked me to do motorcycle neck braces work or if it’s just a showpiece. I thought, why shouldn’t I enlighten beginner riders like my brother through my post?

Manufacturers make neck braces through shock absorption material, which absorbs most of the shock which otherwise your cervical has to absorb. Thus neck braces protect your collarbone, nerves, and upper back from severe injuries. In simpler words, neck braces work and protect your cervix.

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it.

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know ABC about motorbike neck braces. 

Do Motorcycle Neck Braces Work? 

Motorcycle neck braces are crafted using advanced materials designed to effectively absorb the majority of the impact your neck experiences. These braces not only safeguard your upper back, collarbone, and delicate nerves but also play a crucial role in minimizing potential damage.

To shed light on the significance of neck braces, let me present some enlightening studies. Over ten years, Action Sports Ems conducted extensive research involving approximately 8,000 injured riders. Among these individuals, 3,803 riders opted to wear neck braces, while 4,726 riders chose not to utilize them.

This insightful observation revealed that the absence of high-quality neck braces could be a primary contributing factor in the occurrence of severe collarbone injuries, affecting 4,726 riders. For those interested, you can access or download the complete observation in PDF format.

Furthermore, a separate set of studies corroborated the findings mentioned earlier. As previously highlighted, premium motorbike neck braces excel at absorbing shocks that would otherwise be absorbed by your collarbone and upper back. These studies provided evidence supporting the effectiveness of neck braces.

Over ten years, only 239 cases of severe cervical spine injuries were recorded among individuals without neck braces. On the other hand, a mere 26 cases were documented among those who did wear neck braces. In other words, riders without neck braces faced a staggering 89% higher risk of sustaining cervical spinal injuries.

During the ten-year study period, five fatalities resulting from severe cervical spinal injuries were recorded, with only one of those individuals wearing a neck brace. The same study also noted that the rider who tragically lost their lives had a pre-existing medical history related to the cervical region. Essentially, riders who choose not to wear neck braces face a 69% higher likelihood of fatality.

While there are three additional studies included in the PDF, I must express some reservations regarding their findings. Nevertheless, the fundamental conclusion remains firm, as stated earlier. If you prioritize safeguarding yourself against severe cervical injuries, it would be wise to invest in a pair of reliable neck braces.

You can see or even download the PDF of the observation here. 

Also, read my previous post where I talked about some other gear that you can include in your motorcycle gear list. Click here to read.

What Happens if You Crash Without Neck Braces? 

You’ve read some studies about the effectiveness of neck braces, but have you wondered what would happen if you crash without neck braces?

If you crash without neck braces, your neck will suffer shocks that might cause severe cervical injuries. In the case of severe injuries, you’re going to face financial as well as health issues. And if you’re one of the unluckiest people, then you could also lose your life. 

Now I hope it’s more clear to you why motorbike neck braces are essential.

How Do Motorbike Neck Braces Work? 

Motorcycle neck braces undeniably excel in protecting the cervical spine. However, it’s worth considering how these braces interact with motorbikes.

Neck braces serve to restrict the movement of both the motorbike helmet and your head, which results in the helmet making contact with the braces. This contact allows the braces, constructed from impact-absorbing materials, to effectively absorb and dissipate the majority of the impact energy. Consequently, the energy is prevented from transferring to your neck, ensuring enhanced protection.

Regrettably, similar to other safety gear, motorbike neck braces do come with certain associated risks and drawbacks. In the following section, I will outline some of these potential concerns.

What’re the Limitations of Motorbike Neck Braces? 

Like other motorbike gears, neck braces could save your life. But unfortunately, motorbike neck braces also come with some limitations which you shouldn’t ignore. 

According to some experts, neck braces can’t protect you from all neck injuries. Also, if you’re unfortunate enough and you land on your head, your neck braces won’t protect you from severe injuries. Additionally, some motorbike neck braces aren’t good enough to absorb shock.

Above are the only some limitations you shouldn’t forget, and fortunately enough, you can avoid all these limitations.

How to Choose Motorbike Neck Braces to Increase Safety? 

There are several things that you need to consider while choosing motorbike neck braces for yourself. 

I’ve considered some limitations of neck braces to give you ideal factors that you don’t have to forget. 

Things to Consider While Choosing the Neck Braces:	Details:
Neck braces material.	The ideal neck braces material should be lightweight, so it won’t be the reason for neck pain.
Comfortability	The ideal motorbike neck braces should be comfortable to your neck.
Fitting.	Too loose braces won’t absorb impact energy and would not protect you from severe injuries.

Neck Braces Material: 

Like motorbike helmets, the material in neck braces also plays an essential role in ensuring your safety. 

The ideal neck braces material should be lightweight, so it won’t be the reason for neck pain. 

Also, the material should be flexible enough to transfer and absorb almost all the impact energy. 

Comfortability: 

The ideal motorbike neck braces should be comfortable to your neck; otherwise, you won’t even be able to ride even 5 miles with the uncomfortable brace. 

Fitting: 

Not everyone has the same size neck and upper back, and that’s why experts always choose well-fitted neck braces. 

Too loose braces won’t absorb impact energy and would not protect you from severe injuries. On the other hand, too tight neck braces will slow your blood flow and cause more harm than protecting you. 

Neck Braces Which Experts Recommended:

There’re tons of neck braces available in the market, but only a few are best for your neck. 

Here’re some neck braces which almost all experts recommend. 

Atlas Air Neck Brace:

Atlas Air neck brace is one of the oldest neck braces in the industry and one of the most trustworthy manufacturers too. 

These braces are the updated version of the old braces which I’ve used.  This time they decrease the height and increase the area of the brace, which means it can absorb and transfer the impact energy more efficiently than their previous versions. 

Atlas Air Neck Braces are available in three sizes which are SM, MD, and LG. 

You can choose anyone according to your preference and comfort. 

Check the latest price on Revzilla of a lightweight Atlas Air Neck brace by clicking here. 

Alpinestars BNS Tech-2 Neck Support:

If you’re an experienced rider, you must hear the name of Alpinster providing high-quality motorbike gears. 

Thus Alpinser manufacturer did an excellent job applying bio-organic engineering through which all shock will get absorbed by this neck support.  

Unfortunately, Alpinster doesn’t offer this neck brace in more than two sizes. 

Check the latest price on Revzilla of Alpinestars BNS Tech-2 Neck Support by clicking here. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Do motorcycle neck braces work? Manufacturers make neck braces through the shock absorption material, which absorbs most of the shock which otherwise your cervical have to absorb. 

Thus neck braces protect your collarbone, nerves, and upper back from severe injuries. In simpler words, neck braces work and protect your cervical.

I’ve also mentioned some disadvantages of neck braces that you need to consider while choosing one for yourself.