When riding a motorcycle, having the appropriate gear is very important. On a motorcycle, you have a very little protection from the actual bike itself. Motorcycle accidents can be very serious. In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a car. With that in mind, it is important to be knowledgable about how to select motorcycle safety gear.
How-to Select Motorcycle Safety Gear: Be Safe on the Road
Helmet
40% of motorcyclists killed in crashes were not wearing a helmet. Surprisingly, only 19 states have helmet laws. For your safety, you should always wear a helmet. When selecting a helmet, it is important to try on several different styles and brands. Different brands may fit your head differently. Make sure the helmet fits your head well, and that the chinstrap holds the helmet on your head. If the helmet moves or slips with rotation, or up and down, it is not a good fit.
You will have to decide how much helmet coverage you want. First, a full helmet will offer you the most coverage around your head and face with additional protection at the base of your head. Additionally, it will come with eye protection like a visor. This type of helmet provides the most protection. Next, a 3/4 helmet is similar to the full helmet, but provides less facial coverage. Finally, a 1/2 helmet only covers the top of your head, and some of the side and the back of your head. For eye protection, you will have to wear goggles. This is the least protective helmet option.
Gloves
When selecting motorcycle safety gear, don’t forget gloves. If you fall, your natural reaction will be to put out your hands. Due to this, gloves will play a major role in keeping your hands safe. Try on different glove types to see what padding level feels the most comfortable for you. There will be options that are better suited for warm or cold weather driving. Avoid the fingerless glove options. Some people want these to enable themselves to be able to use touchscreen devices. However, a rock or bug to the finger could be uncomfortable at high speeds. Instead, look for gloves that have touchscreen compatible gloves.
Jacket
A motorcycle jacket can be a pricey purchase, but it is worth spending a little bit extra for a high-quality jacket. These jackets put a barrier between you and the road. When selecting a jacket as part of your motorcycle safety gear, you’ll want to pay attention to thickness and durability. They usually come in synthetics and leather. Leather is going to be a lightweight option that is still very durable.
Boots
A common motorcycle accident involves the foot and ankle getting trapped under the bike. Motorcycle boots come up above the ankle, adding protection for the ankle area. These boots should be sturdy and good quality. An important thing to look for when selecting boots as part of your motorcycle safety gear is that the laces are either inside the boot, or can easily be tucked inside. This keeps the laces from getting caught on the shifter or footpegs.