| Riding a motorcycle is one of the more | | | | Pants |
| exhilarating methods of traveling, but it's also | | | | There is much more to your body than simply |
| more dangerous than being in a car, especially if | | | | head, hands and feet and it pays to protect the |
| you don't have the right protective gear. You can | | | | rest of it as well. Your legs will be at risk, as they |
| significantly reduce the risk of severe injury if you | | | | are so close to the bike, so proper pants can help |
| take the time to pick out some safety gear to | | | | protect them. |
| wear while on your motorcycle. | | | | Finding a pair of pants that looks good, is |
| There are a lot of different options in protective | | | | comfortable to wear in summer and still provides |
| gear, so it's a good idea to know what you're | | | | enough protection for sliding across the road is |
| looking at. Here, we'll go over some of the more | | | | next to impossible. It really all comes down to |
| popular types of protective gear to help you | | | | what type of riding you'll be doing. For the riskier |
| make the right choices and get the gear that will | | | | rides, Kevlar padded pants are probably your best |
| best protect you. | | | | bet. These usually come with extra pads on |
| Helmets | | | | exposed areas like the knees which aren't exactly |
| The variety of motorcycle helmets on the | | | | visually pleasing, but do offer extra protection. |
| market is staggering. Aside from the visual factor, | | | | For more formal rides, there are now jeans with |
| choosing a helmet that you like the looks of, | | | | Kevlar fibers woven into them that provide extra |
| there are a few other things to keep in mind. Size | | | | protection should you be dumped off the bike. |
| is very important. Your head should fit snugly | | | | Other options include leather pants and motocross |
| within the helmet. If you can slip it over your | | | | pants, both of which tend to be quite hot in |
| head, then it's too big, it should need to be pulled | | | | warmer weather. You may also opt for leather |
| on. The soft foam inside will form to fit your head | | | | chaps, which cover and protect the legs, but allow |
| as you wear it, to provide greater protection. | | | | for maximum movement. |
| Look for a helmet that starts right above the | | | | Jackets |
| eyebrows when on. Anything higher up will not | | | | Choosing a good jacket is also very important. |
| give adequate protection. You have a choice | | | | This is what will keep your torso and arms |
| between a full face helmet, which offers the best | | | | protected. You'll find that there are two main |
| protection, a three quarters helmet and a flip up | | | | options, synthetic and leather. Each has its |
| helmet, which allows you to move the faceplate | | | | advantages and disadvantages. |
| up to expose the face. This last one may be | | | | Leather jackets tend to be well built and last for a |
| more expensive, but it does offer the advantage | | | | long time, decades, even. They are the classic |
| of being able to simply lift the faceplate rather | | | | protective wear associated with motorcycles, so |
| than remove the entire helmet to speak or drink | | | | many more traditional motorcyclists prefer |
| something. | | | | leather. These tend to be quite protective and are |
| Gloves | | | | made more so by protective pads sewn to the |
| There are two main reasons to wear gloves while | | | | inside of the jackets. However, they aren't very |
| riding. The first is to keep your hands warm, | | | | reliable under rain and tend not to protect as well |
| particularly while riding during winter, when the icy | | | | as synthetic from the cold. The darker colors of |
| wind can quickly numb them and prevent the | | | | leather tend to prevent visibility, which can be an |
| proper sensations needed to control the | | | | added danger, particularly in the evening. |
| motorcycle. The second is protection should you | | | | Synthetic jackets are usually more expensive, but |
| take a tumble. Fingers and the flesh on the hands | | | | offer better protection. Unfortunately, despite the |
| are very fragile and you need as much protection | | | | higher protective rate, they tend to wear out |
| as possible. | | | | faster than leather. Synthetic fibers make these |
| The best gloves for motorcycle riding include | | | | jackets warmer in the winter and ensure that |
| Kevlar pads on the backs, with extra grip on the | | | | they are completely waterproof, which is a major |
| palms for maximum control. You will probably | | | | bonus if you are planning on a long trip. The |
| need a lighter pair for summer use and heavier | | | | brighter colors of synthetic jackets also mean |
| ones for winter, or opt to wear a light pair of | | | | that you will be more visible on the road. |
| cotton gloves under the Kevlar ones. | | | | Choosing your protective gear for motorcycle |
| Boots | | | | riding is one of the most important steps you can |
| When shopping for boots to use on your | | | | take toward staying safe. Make sure that you |
| motorcycle, keep in mind whether you'll need to | | | | take the time to research and try the various |
| walk or not. The best protection comes at a | | | | types of protective gear. Everything should fit |
| price, limited mobility. If you'll be walking as well as | | | | well and be comfortable, but still offer the highest |
| riding, then look for heavy duty boots that are | | | | level of protection possible. |
| built for cross-country endurance. These will give | | | | No one wants to think about having an accident, |
| strong ankle support and have thick, resistant | | | | but these things do happen and with a |
| soles to protect your feet should an accident | | | | motorcycle, you simply don't have the same |
| occur. | | | | protection around you as you would in a more |
| For motocross riding, consider using specialized | | | | substantial vehicle. That doesn't mean taking |
| boots that protect as much of the leg as possible, | | | | unnecessary risks is required, however. There is |
| with rigidity. These are definitely not practical for | | | | plenty of gear that can be used to keep your |
| walking in, however, so keep that in mind. | | | | body and skin intact as you enjoy riding. |