| Styling or protection, what do you need to | | | | pretty abrasion resistant but can't match the |
| consider about the type of clothing to wear on | | | | protection of leather. Your leather jacket needs |
| your motorcycle? First and foremost, you need | | | | to be thicker than something your would wear on |
| protection from injury. | | | | a date. |
| There nothing like laying your bike down on | | | | Have you considered wearing a one piece suit? |
| asphalt and leaving lots of your skin on the street | | | | They provide better protection that wearing a |
| to get you to think about wearing protective | | | | leather jacket and pants. If you are skidding |
| clothing on your motorcycle. If you are like most | | | | across the asphalt, one or both pieces could |
| peopke, you think about falling (impact) or | | | | provide an opening for the asphalt to take a bite |
| abrasions. Both of these type of injuries can be | | | | out of you. Getting in and out of those one piece |
| very painful especially if you survive them. | | | | suits can be difficult but fun for everyone else to |
| Clothing can play an important part in both | | | | watch. Seriously make sure either your jackets, |
| primary and secondary safety. | | | | pants or suit is re-enforced in areas that are |
| Are you aware that 30% (50% at night) of | | | | proned to high impact or friction. The good |
| drivers involved in accidents with motorcycles | | | | jackets and suits will have armor or pads in those |
| claim they didn't see the bike? How many times | | | | areas. Make sure your jacket, pants or suit fit |
| have you not seen a motorcyclist and you are | | | | snugly but comfortably. Out here in the desert, it |
| even more aware of them than the average | | | | can get pretty hot so look for ventilation holes in |
| driver? | | | | the jackets, pants or suits. |
| Driving in your neighborhood on your bike could be | | | | All motorcycle helmet equipment must comply |
| highly dangerous. Approximately 90% of urban | | | | with U.S. Department of Transportation Sec. |
| motorcycle accidents are caused the other driver | | | | 571.218 Standard No. 218 FMVSS 218 - 49 CFR |
| not by the motorcyclist. Riding with your | | | | 571.218. I don't believe there any U.S. standards |
| headlights on is very important to being seen. | | | | for abrasion or impact clothing. The |
| Bright colors or reflective stripes can help a | | | | European Standard EN1621-1/1997 would be good |
| lot.since the human body is really not very impact | | | | to look for in your clothing in the U.s. To gain the |
| resistant, you are going to need to wear some | | | | CE mark products have to be tested and |
| protective clothes. Sometimes you just got to fall | | | | approved by an independent, Government |
| off your bike to avoid even more serios problem, | | | | approved test house. While the CE mark can't |
| you will need to minimize the injury from impact. | | | | guarantee to prevent all injuries in an accident, it |
| That old saying it didn't hurt till I stop could very | | | | may significantly reduce the severity of your |
| well apply to you. there are some very cool | | | | injuries. |
| impact resistant clothing, jackets, pants, etc that | | | | Boots & Gloves are just as important as your |
| come in the form of armor or padding. The are | | | | jacket and pants. Those fingers are attached and |
| especially adapt at absorbing the impact and | | | | your want to keep them attached and in good |
| spread the load across the body. This reduces | | | | working order. The same goes for your feet. The |
| injuries. You probably have seen them already. | | | | trick here is to get the protection but also allows |
| The jackets looks like the cyclist is all bulked up. It | | | | you to safely operate your bike without any |
| has armor protection or pads where the body | | | | problem. Think leather. It is always a good choice! |
| meets the road. Know Armor makes these but | | | | You can find gloves that will have padding around |
| there are others. They can be expensive but if | | | | your knucles. Keep in mind the weather and how |
| you can't afford armor then go for high density | | | | it can affect your hands and feet. |
| foam. Some protection is better than none at all. | | | | Motorcycle boots can seem expensive, but you |
| Ok, so now you have fell off your bike and are | | | | can they can last you for a very long time. Since |
| skidding quite rapidly. You need clothing that will | | | | your feet operate the brakes and shifters, you |
| protect you from abrasion, the friction of the | | | | want boots that fit and are comfortable and do |
| aspalt against skin. Normally shirts and pants are | | | | not interfere with you doing your job. |
| no good in this type of situation. Your skin will help | | | | They say dress for success. Well, you need to |
| but only for a few seconds. What should I be | | | | dress for cycling so that you can do it over and |
| wearing? The answer is leather. Haven't you | | | | over again. Fortunateley, most of the motorcycle |
| noticed that the stunt drivers wear leather to | | | | clothes you purchase will last for a long time |
| proctect them not just to look cool. It is part of | | | | because of the material they are made out of. |
| their protective gear. Cordura and Kevlar are | | | | Go out and enjoy your self. |