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