| Everything that goes in the name of | | | | available separately. You can also go |
| protective gear may not necessarily be | | | | for motorcycle clothing with a degree of |
| as safe as the claims may be. In Europe, | | | | impact protection built in. This way |
| for example, apparel has to undergo a | | | | whenever you wear clothes you have at |
| series of lengthy tests to qualify as | | | | least a degree of protection. |
| safety clothing. These include abrasion, | | | | 5. Choose the right helmet. This is |
| tearing and impact tests. If they are | | | | absolutely imperative. The helmet is the |
| passed they are CR certified. In the US, | | | | most important protective gear that you |
| where there are no such tests all riders | | | | can have, never get on to the bike |
| should acquire a set of motorcycle | | | | without it. |
| protective clothing by keeping the | | | | At the minimum, when you are on your |
| following points in mind: | | | | bike you must have the following:a. |
| 1. Wear a sturdy pair of high boots and | | | | Helmet: Make sure it is DOT certified, |
| protective pants. Your pants should be | | | | and fits your head snugly.b. Eye |
| reinforced at the knees and hips and the | | | | Protection: A full-face shield, |
| boots should be made of thick leather | | | | three-quarter helmet, goggles, or |
| with flexible sole. | | | | close-fitting eyeglasses should be used |
| 2. Traditional motorcycle gear has been | | | | to provide adequate protection to the |
| made of leather, but thick nylon and | | | | eye.c. Gloves: Since we reflexively put |
| other synthetic material are good too. | | | | our hands out while falling, the palms |
| If you must wear jeans wear Kevlar ones; | | | | are likely to get bruised unless there |
| they are more abrasion resistant. The | | | | is protective covering on them. This is |
| same goes for jackets too. If it is made | | | | why gloves are so important.d. Jacket: |
| of leather make sure the leather is | | | | Jackets protect the bikers against the |
| thick and the jacket's elbows and | | | | elements and also provide some impact |
| shoulders are reinforced. Some impact | | | | absorption on falling.e. Long trousers: |
| protection would be ideal. | | | | Long trousers can protect your legs |
| 3. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves | | | | against insects, bugs and highway |
| with reinforced palm patches. This is | | | | debris. They also provide some impact |
| absolutely essential because palms get | | | | protection against falls.f. |
| terribly bruised during a fall. Knitted | | | | Above-the-ankle footwear: These cushion |
| Kevlar is a very good choice; reinforced | | | | your feet in case of a fall; they also |
| leather works well too. | | | | protect your feet against stinging |
| 4. Wear impact protection gear. They are | | | | insects. |