2010 Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support (BNS) SB

The Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support (BNS) is a structure which is designed to work with a helmet to reduce the risk and severity of a catastrophic neck injury (i.e. A paralyzing injury).

While no product can guarantee protection from all motorcycle injuries, due to the varied dynamics of accidents, the BNS is designed to substantially reduce the likelihood of a career ending neck injury although it must be stated at the outset that it, as with other such systems, may not prevent injuries occurring in all cases.

Sizing:

The table below provides a guide to the fitting process. Find your corresponding jacket size in the left columns of the table, compare to your chest circumference measurement, and then select a size of Bionic Neck Support frame on the right depending on how thick or thin (T) your chest is.

The BNS functions by providing an alternative load path for the energy that compresses the neck. If the helmet is in contact with the Bionic Neck Support at the moment of impact the overall load passing through the neck can be reduced, which may prevent a fracture from occurring.

The BNS also helps reduce the chance of muscular injuries associated with extremes of head movement.

While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of any form of injury, the BNS is designed to help prevent the most serious damage and minimize the risk of collateral injury as the impact load is channeled away from the neck.

When compared to soft ‘neck roll’ devices the protection afforded is significantly better because being soft, these devices simply deform, offering no protection against the damaging compressive forces.

As with any riding equipment, fit is critical to ensuring the most effective protection possible and riders should choose the equipment that is best suited to their body. No neck device should roll around over the shoulders.

Features:

• Blend of reinforced Polyurethane main frame material - extensively
  impact tested at varying temperatures to ensure neck ring stays
  intact.
• Two different densities of EVA foam are used in the BNS: firmer EVA
  in the shoulders and softer EVA in the front and back for comfort.
• Pivot Key system - A special magnesium key located at the rear
  allows the convenient front opening of the device while also allowing
  it to be dismantled in an emergency.
• Fitting System - Fine adjustment of the shoulder height allows a
  more personalized fit – particularly for individuals who have a shorter
  than normal neck.
• Rear Stabilizer Failure system - In the event of large loads being
  channeled onto the rear stabilizer (the part that sits on the back) there
  are several deliberate bending and fracture points designed to relieve
  extreme loads that may be transmitted down the back.

These include:

• Deflection of foam tail
• Grooves to allow deflection of support structure tip
• Fracture area of support structure tip
• Fracture of supporting members (also fracture if subjected to side
  loads that could cause the head to rotate).

• Collar Bone preservation 1 - All parts in contact with the body use
  an expanded foam compound to distribute the impact force over the
  widest area, yet remain light in weight.
• Collar Bone preservation 2 - A continuous frame member runs over
  the shoulders. This means there are no weak points in a critical part
  of the frame and that there are no metal pins or screws sitting directly
  above the shoulders which could be dislodged into the shoulders or
  collarbone during an accident.
• Choice of Strap Systems - The BNS is supplied with the X-Strap
  System which allows a small, light strap (worn over or under the
  jersey) to secure the device to the rider. The larger A-Strap assembly
  (available as a separate accessory) provides a traditional chest strap
  for those who like to wear the protector tight to the body.
• Mounting points for accessories – Allows for integration of the BNS
  with other Alpinestars accessories.
• XS size now available.